USF features Pres. Genshaft’s favorite ode in poetry palooza

Posted Apr 6, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated Apr 6, 2012 at 01:24 PM

“We need poetry now more than ever,” says USF Professor Jay Hopler.

Amen.

If you’re sick of all the political dodging and scuffling, and you need some fresh air, go here, to USF’s National Poetry Month website.

As part of a chock-full month of events, USF has created a daily poetry review featuring prominent people at USF and their favorite poems.

USF President Judy Genshaft was the first, on April 2, and she picked “The Moment” by Margaret Atwood.

Why? Because of its message of humility and maintaining perspective, she wrote on the site.

“No matter your position or your title, or how hard you work, you must always remember that the world is large and many accomplishments are transitory in the great scheme of things.”

Could she be speaking to a certain senator who made her life, and the lives of many others, miserable this year in his quest for an independent university in his Polk County back yard?

Maybe. Maybe not. But it’s a poem everyone should read.

Throughout April, USF’s Humanities Institute is featuring 12 poets, seven major readings, two major lectures, four poetry workshops, one organic potluck supper, a day of performance art/spoken word/poetry and a photography showcase.

You can learn more about all that here.

It’s one of the largest National Poetry Month celebrations in the country, Hopler said in a USF news release.

And given the stress on education budgets and arts programs in particular, he said, it’s “a testament to the passion and the commitment of everyone involved: USF’s amazing faculty and staff, our generous donors and sponsors, and the poets who’ve all agreed to read their poetry, lead workshops and teach seminars for free.”