Written by Taylor Stone

 

VSU sponsored a poetry reading featuring poems written by Paul Hostovsky on Wednesday night in in the UC Magnolia Room.

 

Hostovsky, a poet and sign language interpreter at the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf, received a warm and humorous introduction by Marty Williams, a VSU creative writing professor, before he took the stage to begin the reading.

 

“Coconut” was the first poem that Hostovsky read. He previously called it his “big hit” as it has been read by Garrison Keillor on National Public Radio. The poem was equally successful during the reading at VSU, many in the audience agreed that it was their favorite of the night as well.

 

Prior to the event, Hostovsky had an idea of how he wanted the poetry reading to ensue.

 

“If I can get the students to laugh at some of my more humorous poems that will be a success, I like when that works,” Hostovsky said.

 

If success is based off of laughter, the poetry reading was a huge success. Hostovsky’s clever use of humor and his infectious character captivated the audience.

 

Hostovsky recited a total of 14 poems during the reading and, in keeping with the humorous tone of the night, paused midway and reached for his harmonica for a brief musical interlude that had the audience laughing as Hostovsky added even more charm into an already fascinating evening.

 

Jennifer Marlatt, an English major at VSU, enjoyed the honesty and simplicity of Hostovsky’s poetry.

 

“It was very simple, but touched basis on a lot of things in life, issues and memories,” Marlatt said.

 

This was Hostovsky’s first poetry reading on a university campus.

 

“I’ve given readings before but I’ve never done anything like this . . . most of the readings I’ve done in the past have been in bookstores or different reading series that they have in the Boston area,” Hostovsky said.

 

Hostovsky has said that he both loves and hates his poems.

 

“I love them because they’re like children, I’ve spent so much time nurturing them and trying to make them as good as they can be . . . I hate them because they steal my life away, time spent writing is time that I’m not spending with the people I love. We write alone . . . it’s a solitary activity,” he said.

 

Hostovsky’s love/hate relationship with his poetry became clear as he got further into his reading. Many of the poems were centered on his family and offered an incredibly raw look into his private life. It didn’t take long to learn that family, relationships and life experiences in general play a vital role in his poetry.

 

Hostovsky’s inspiration is spontaneous– his ideas coming from everyday life. He writes his poetry to satisfy his need for clarity– to make sure that he is being understood.

 

“I hear someone say something that sticks with me and so there’s a spark, something that tickles my imagination . . . most of the poems are a process of surprising myself with where it goes, where the poem takes me,” Hostovksy said.

 

Hostovsky offered some words of wisdom and experience to any aspiring poets at VSU.

 

“Hell is having nothing to read but your own poems, because if all you read is your own stuff then you’re cutting yourself off from all the talent and wisdom and pleasure that is being offered out there by other people,” he said. “If you’re a writer then you’ve got to read.”