As I headed into Pizzazz, I paused for a second uncertainly until my friend pointed out the stairs leading downward.
“My teacher said it was in the basement.” She said. We started down the stairs to ‘Jake’s Speakeasy’ (as declared by the sign above us). Down in the basement, we came to a halt as we took in the space.
It was crowded, nearly every table taken by people munching on pizza and wings. The soft glow of the dimmed lights complimented the warmth and chatter which filled the room, creating a cozy atmosphere as people. In one corner stood an empty space with the microphone, waiting for willing readers. After a minute or two of weaving through the tables and chairs, we sat down on a couch, flipping through our copies of the Review.
This issue of The John Carroll Review features twenty-one poems, five prose pieces, and eight works of visual art, all submitted by JCU students. Contributors, friends, and faculty alike had gathered at Pizzazz to share food and listen to authors read their pieces out loud at the release party.
I admit, while there are certain poems I absolutely adore, I often avoid poetry. I mean, you read fifteen lines and spend an hour and a half trying to figure out the meaning? Who’s got the time for that?
But there’s something special about listening to someone read an original poem. Poetry, I’ve discovered, like all other writing, lays a part of the author bare before the audience. It’s something intensely personal, something that takes courage and a certain amount of boldness to share. And the audience doesn’t always have to ‘get it’ for it to be meaningful.
Some of the poetry that was read had been featured in the Review. Other pieces were unpublished, but equally meaningful. The supportive and congratulatory atmosphere provided by those listening allowed writers to stand up and share their work, to give insight into their lives and their views of the world.
The Review is full of people’s stories, their words and thoughts. The release party provided a space for them to convey these pieces of themselves to those who were willing to listen. Writing poetry or fiction provides many people with a release, and the chance to share their work builds connection and empathy and understanding among both the author and those listening.
The John Carroll Review is a collection of joy and pain and most of all life, and its release party was a wonderful way to reach out and share these powerful words.