By Jonathan Lapp
Staff Writer

Students and faculty met on St. Patrick's Day for another session of the Arden Reading Series. Opening reader's celebrated the Irish by reciting several poems by Irish authors such as Seamus Heaney. Students and faculty also remembered the Irish by singing an Irish folk song, The Rising of the Moon. The featured reader's of the evening were Kristina Sorg and Professor Scott Wilkerson.

After the Irish readings, CSU writers read for a few minutes each. Professor Jon Summerfield read an original composition entitled, As I grade. Professor Crystal Woods and Professor Rodrigo Obando also read original compositions. The standout writer from the open-mic was definitely Vanessa Escobar. Escobar read three original poems; her descriptive language captured harsh realities and drew in the audience.

The featured student reader, Kristina Sorg, read several original poems. Sorg is a junior at CSU and has attended CSU since the beginning of her college career. Last year she was president of the Xi Theta sorority. She has had two poems published and is working on a novel. Although she excels at writing, her passion lies with all things Egyptian. Sorg remarked that she is studying to run an Egyptian museum, and writing is a hobby.

Kristina Sorg's poetry creatively describes instances of love, death, and the meaning of the word “jones”. Her sensory description of the images of death linger after the poem is finished. One poem in particular that was worded fluidly is A Suicidal Cry. This poem describes the experience of someone who has just slit their wrists and are bleeding out. One of the best lines out of her poetry was used to describe this feeling. “as I hit the floor I felt the blood surround my body, it was so warm in such a cold way." When asked how she becomes inspired to write a poem, Kristina said this, “that's how I write most of my poems I find one or two words or phrases or ideas that I really like and I just create around those. Every poem that I write is inspired that way, I don't have any that were pulled out of thin air so to speak.”

The featured faculty reader, Professor Scott Wilkerson, has been teaching at CSU for two and a half years. Before coming to CSU he taught at Auburn University in Montgomery and briefly at Georgia Military College. Although Wilkerson has lived in such places as New York and Los Angeles, he retains his southern roots. Some of his original poems have already been published and his first published book is expected to be released in the fall of 2009 by way of New Plains Press.

Being born in Alabama and spending much time in the south reflects itself in the poetry and prose Wilkerson read last Tuesday. Much of his writing is based in or related to the south. One poem, Rural Routes, reflects on the Kudzu plant which can overwhelm areas quickly. Wilkerson remarked that he was fascinated by the architectural style of the plant. He also remarked that the “complexities of the plant” can be compared with the “complexities of human relationships”. Wilkerson's readings range in topic from the Bibb city mill burning to scientist who could potentially destroy earth by creating a black hole.

Some other events coming up include, the McCuller's Film festival and the release of this issue of the Arden Literary Magazine. The film festival will be held at the Columbus Public Library on Macon Road. Films will be shown Friday March 27th through Sunday March 29th. Information on showtimes can be found on www.mccullerscenter.org. Also, the McCuller's house will be open from 4-6 pm during the film festival for tours and/or fellowship.