Thirteen writers, one guitar, and one big steaming pot of coffee set the scene for the Coffee House/Poetry Reading Feb. 25, where approximately 60 people attended.

Featured student poets included Bill Asmussen, Chris Bobeda, Marieka Ford, Gwen Friesen, Samantha Gillespie, Jessica Gomez, Ed Kentner, James Long, Antigoné Lowery and Jose Rodriguez. 
Original acoustic guitar music was provided by Bobeda.

English instructors Bill McGlothing and Janice Northerns also read. Both are published poets and have read their poems at numerous conferences and events.

“I think it’s the beginning of a new tradition,” art instructor Susan Copas said.

While relaxing with hot coffee, chocolate or tea and gourmet desserts, the audience heard poems on subjects ranging from the universe to Twitter.

The poetry was interspersed with music, and short breaks between readings to give folks time to grab a coffee refill and discuss the poems.

“It exceeded our expectations in every way—in attendance, performance and enthusiasm,” Northerns said. “It was an amazing evening.”

The poets said they enjoyed the chance to express themselves through words.

“Writing can be an outlet for any emotion—frustration, worry, joy—it doesn’t matter,” said Gwen Friesen. “Poetry is music without the musical notes.”

Of course, some writers do like to set their poems to music, so the audience was treated to original songs by Chris Bobeda. Bobeba writes both poems and songs.

“I’ve been playing guitar and bass ever since I was 14 and writing my own music just as long,” he said.

Several of the students had work featured in the Telolith, SCCC/ATS’s award-winning creative writing/art journal, including Bill Asmussen and Ed Kentner. Both writers recently won awards for Telolith fiction pieces from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

“I’m very pleased with the readers and performers,” McGlothing said.