March Poetry Café

Join us for our mid-month Poetry Café in the Great Hall. Bring a poem to read (either one you’ve read or written), or come ready to listen to and enjoy poetry. There will not be an academic discussion on the pieces, rather time to celebrate and share the poetry that we love.

March’s theme is “lions and lambs”. Inspired by the adage “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb”, reflect on moments where you entered as a lion and left as a lamb. Use your poem to explore the balance of ferocity and tenderness needed to navigate life or relationships. If you prefer to bring a poem by another poet, consider ones that use lions and lambs as symbols or poems about the creatures themselves.

Wine and warm beverages will be served. Please register below.

There is some debate on the origin of the phrase “Poetry Café.” Some argue it refers to the Modernists (Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, TS Eliot, etc.) sharing their work in the cafés in Europe. As spoken word poetry has gained traction and the genre of slam poetry has evolved, some trace the phrase to the Nuyorican Poets Café in Manhattan. The café was founded in 1973 by Rutgers professor Miguel Algarín and gave Puerto Rican New York poets a place to meet and share their work. Although the café was closed for several years in the 1980’s, it continues to serve as an arts center for the Nuyorican community.