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Show OEPMUGVI 4 19, 2006 eadfcg iDKsiaosDe, Yet yoneeMveontiemial Utah poet Sowder, Wyoming native Roripaugh discuss work fers Prayer of Thanksgiving for Ilis New Job, a comical On Thursday evening in the Gore Auditorium, poet Michael Sowder ended this years Anne Newman Sutton Weeks Poetry Series with something most unconventional. In thanks to Westminster English professor, series director and poet Natasha Saje for w riting a letter encouraging Sowder's tenureship at Utah State University, Sowder read a poem of Sajes, entitled Heaven to the audience. Following Sajes poem, Sowder read a few short poems from Ken Brewer, a locally renowned poet and colleague of Sowder s at US U who died in March. The poems he read were three of the many poems Brewer wrote in his last nine months of life. It was so touching to hear Michael read those poems, said freshman Natalie Bowman. I think since a lot of people are familiar with Brewer and his work, it was a nice thing to do. ' Moving on to his own poetry, Sowder read from his hook of poems, The Empty Boat. To begin, he read his poem Former Attorney Of-- and autobiographical poem about his gratitude for becoming a poet instead of a lawy er. It also explored coming out West and experiencing the vast landscape. He also made reference to his religious experience in his work. The books namesake poem was about his turning towards Taoism. As a hoy raised Catholic, Sowder made reference to his spiritual journeys experienced through the eastern religious tradition. I almost became a monk, he said. Ive had several incarnations. His final poem wras titled Aidan Looks at the Moon, which was about the curiosities of his son. Lee Ann Roripaugh, the featured poet of the night walked on stage in a pink flowblouse and introery low-cduced herself before reading her work. But a few students ut had the opportunity to speak with her before the reading that night. Roripaugh visited with students for an hour before the reading in Sajes creative writing class. Roripaugh said her inspiration comes from her family and environmental background. Growing up in Laramie, Wyo., Roripaugh said she was inspired by the Western landscape, though not by the Laramie culture. Even before s the Matthew Shepherd ordeal, Roripaugh said she experienced times of homophobia, starting as a young girl. She mentioned a time when she was told not to hold hands with one of her girlfriends from school because other people may think she was a lesbian. She also didnt like her hometown because she didn't feel accepted as a bi-raci- With my parents, east literally meets west, she said after telling the class her mother . is Japanese. Laramie was not a comfortable or easy wray to he different, she said. But those struggles in itik.pnp! i1 Laramie are only one source for her inspiratic .. Her first book, Beyond Ilea-- t Mountain, ' ' R o'O Ly -- Vnifi addresses many' serious themes of race and ethnicity she expeMichael Sowder read his poetry in the final poetry series for the rienced growing up in Laramie. year last Thursday at Westminster Her second book of poems and the one from which her Japanese heritage in her sensual pleasure, she said. she read her work Thursday; work through interspersed In addition how her heriYear of the Snake is mostly Japanese words. These words tage plays into her work, the based on Japanese fairy tales have a different sound and class inquired to how her blog and myths. I want each book rhythm its like fusion cookaffects her poetry. to have its own theme and aring, she said. In choosing She explained that an chitectural style, she said. words, youre a painter and early colleague of hers encourAnd they do. But one the exact palate. you want aged her to create a blog as a in books comhave both love I the words thing way mon is her incorporation of feel when I say them, its a first-generati- on i - H I h fa I , i, ft 4 Ir'' 4J J sf 3160 Pinebrook Road Park City, UT Excellent Corporate office location 10,000 s. - 2 Levels - Plenty of acre -- Large open areas -- High ceilings, natural light -- Landscaped grounds --parking Generous T.I. allowance Immediate Occupancy -- $15.00 p.s.f. NNN ' 1 Commercial West Real Estate Co. 340 Main suite 202, Park City, UT 84060 MLS 9960257 MSS yI v i l |