Strand gives students inspiration

By Elissa Berchelman

"Roses are Red Violets are blue, it takes me a year to write a poem," Pulitzer Prize-winning author if he would write a poem for her.

On stage and off Strand was not just a poet but a bit of a comedian as well. When program council members asked him if he needed anything before his performance he replied "water" and when it was handed to him he said that he would also need some chocolate cake.

On stage he continued with his sarcastic humor saying he put much thought into where his poem entitled "The End" should be placed. He knew he "could have read it at the beginning" but for some reason it seems better at the end.

Strand first captivated SMU with his poetry in 1978. And 24 years later, Program Council's "An Evening with Stand" was no exception. On Friday night the packed audience in the Meadows Museum auditorium hardly breathed because as they soaked in the words from Strand's reading.

"He's one of those poets where you wonder, 'how did he think of that?'" senior Holly Smith said.

From dreams, to love, to his mother, Strand covered all aspects of life within his reading. Some Strand fans were surprised when they heard the author read his work aloud. Heather Harper, who claimed to be one of Strand's biggest fans, said she had never caught the sexual innuendoes until she heard him place emphasis on them aloud. Throughout the night, Strand read several poems that dealt with his past sexual experiences that delightfully shocked the crowd.

The witty author said he planned his reading for SMU in a way that he'd "never planned them before." He read numerous poems for his books in pairs, each with a theme. In between the pairs he would pause and make a blunt remark causing the audience to chuckle. Each comment from his wispy voice made the reading more personal, allowing the crowd to relate to his work.

Strand described his work as very difficult, taking years to achieve. He never wanted to be a poet but it just happened. When he turned 40 he looked back and saw that there was nothing else he could do except write. He then wrote 10 books including Blizzard of One, which won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1993. He also published two books of prose, several monologues on contemporary artists and three books for children. He said he once tried his hand at fiction "but wasn't very successful."

He served as Poet Laureate of the United States and is former Chancellor of The Academy of American Poets. He currently teaches in the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago, where he recently taught a class on beauty.

His newest book will be released in two weeks. However; Strand's publisher released his book early so he could sign copies for SMU students. Strand talked to each person who stood in line, asking them questions about themselves and making special remarks in each book. He wrote "Hugs and Kisses" in sophomore Cheryl Tenbush's book.

Strand has put his life into his poetry and relives his memories through it.

"At the center of each poem is a mystery," he said.

As Strand read his work the audience could see how he enjoyed sharing his life moments and his works touched many people.

Art professor and abstract painter Mary Vernon said she has followed Strand's work her entire life. His descriptions, especially of landscapes complement her visualizations of landscape within her artwork.

But Strand admits that he never thinks of his audience.

He said "Writing is hard enough without thinking about who will be reading it later."