Tonight (7-9pm), I took part in an on campus poetry reading, that was in celebration of April being Poetry Month... it was really fun ^__^.

For some reason, even though there was a MICROPHONE (ahhh~h, the thought of my voice ringing around in the coffee shop is so weird XD), I didn't really feel nervous at all. I just... read, because I know there was no one better who could portray these words I'd written to all these people. It was a strange feeling of calmness XD. *is usually a headcase when having to read in front of groups*

There was a really good turnout, actually... at least 30 people, I'd say. Last time I participated in a poetry reading, there were MAYBE 10 people, if not less XD.

At first I read 2 poems by Frank O'Hara ("As Planned" and "Why I Am Not A Painter"), and then I read 2 of my own poems right after that ("Paper Airplanes," "Cologne," "Red," "Grandmother," and an imitation of Frank O'Hara's "Morning" that I wrote). When I was reading "Cologne" I had to stop several times, just because the crowd kept on bursting out into laughter. Especially when I mentioned Laura Bush, for some reason XD. It made me feel really good.

After the show, I got cornered by like 5 or 6 people, and was told how much they enjoyed my poetry. My friend Richard (we are bound by our mutual adoration for Frank O'Hara XD) even told me that I have a Frank O'Hara quality to some of my poems. *stomps on her ego, to keep it from puffing up too much* But it's SO NICE, just to know that this voice inside of me is saying things that people can relate to, and enjoy hearing. I could cry, just knowing that there's an audience for even my crazy ramblings ;~; <3.

It's been awhile since I've made an attempt at writing poetry earnestly, but I feel like I could try again sometime. And this time around, it'll be for myself, and not for some class. Yosh ^_^.

Oh nooo, my arms are going to hurt so bad tomorrow XD;. Heavy lifting + M = bad.

My mom came up to my dorm today, and now I'd say about 70% of my stuff is moved out. It's way too easy to accumulate stuff, I've found out in my years of living in these dorms ^^;. It's really helpful that she took a carload of stuff back to her house for me, though, as I definitely would not have been able to take all my stuff back in my little Ford Escort ^^;. My dad said he would come get a carload too if I needed it before Thursday, so maybe I won't have to haul hardly any of my own stuff back ^o^.

Ah, seeing my room so bare makes me sad, though. Dorm life is depressing to me, as I'm constantly moving all my earthly possessions every few months, it seems. Bleh. Oh well.

I'll be back living at my parents' house for the summer after this Saturday... crap >.<;. I shall hope for not too much bickering to occur ^_^.

I turned in my final poetry portfolio for my Creative Writing - Poetry class today, so hopefully that'll go over with the teacher okay. I don't know that my poetry is exactly high caliber, but I have a lot of fun writing it ^_^. As an example of the weirdness I've turned in, here's a little... umm, thing I've dubbed "ANTS":

( Poem: ANTS )

So stupid XD.

*goes to flop down on the couch, as her arms are much too dead from carrying too many worldly possessions*

Dear Emily:
Congratulations. Your work "Haunted" has been
selected for inclusion in the 2007 issue of bordertown.

Yaay, one of my poems got selected to be put into my college's literary magazine XD. Out of the ones I submitted, I didn't expect them to choose that one, but that just goes to show how much I know about poetry ^^;. *likes to write it anyway* It's silly, but I'm kind of proud, just because nearly the whole English department submits to it, and I got a poem in it XD.

I'm now a published poet, in one of the dorkiest ways XD.

I don't think I've posted that poem on mah LJ yet, so here it is, just 'cause ^o^:

( Poem: Haunted )

Man, I am officially not fond of the Villanelle poetry form XD;. I've been slaving away for the past, umm... I dunno, it's been quite awhile since I've started my attempt ^^;. All I have to say after working so hard is... blarg. Blarg! at the results I came up with, and also my brain is now officially blarg'y after all that XD;. Oh well, I'm sticking it in my poetry portfolio for creative writing anyway! Bwahahaha ^_^.

( THE MEETING )

Little beaded lemon.
Ah! how much you represent
in such a little bedazzled fruit.

Does anyone know what you are?
what you represent?
what your life is devoted to?

do you care?

Little beaded lemon.
Oh! you are my joy
and my love.