BCS Poetry Evening 2011

Poetry filled the spring air as students from grades 4-12, parents, faculty and friends gathered for the Library's 10th annual Poetry Evening on Monday, April 25th.

JoAnne McFarland, an artist, poet and parent of two BCS alums, who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY was this year’s featured poet. She began by describing her work "which centers around creativity and how to keep ourselves going as artists and writers and just human beings with something to say and do". The audience was captivated by her "lyrics of liberation" and her masterful, spellbinding use of two voices when she was joined by writer and friend Gretta Keene.

JoAnne is the author of six poetry collections and her work has appeared in national and international publications. Check out her art and poetry at www.joannemcfarland.com .

Featured poet JoAnne McFarland and Gretta Keene

Robert Frost, Billy Collins, Gabriela Mistral, Pablo Neruda and Ogden Nash were among the poets whose works were read, along side a host of original poems. Students from Mr. Moyano's 11th grade Spanish class offered a stirring rendition of Federico García Lorca's Canción de Jinete/Song of the Rider, and 4th graders offered up finely crafted original poetry.

Everyone who read received a glowing response from the audience, and the evening was deemed a success by all in attendance.

Fourth graders shared their original poetry

An ensemble reading by Mr. Moyano's 11th grade Spanish class