Photo by Lilly Rum on Unsplash
By Miles DeRosa, Staff Writer
Susquehanna continued the senior readings on April 22 with five readings selections from the best works of the soon-to-be alumni of the creative writing program. The event, hosted by professors Mathew Null and Monica Prince, featured readers Victoria DiMartino, Ava Stanski, Sarah Higgins, Molly Aiudi and Steph Thompson.
DiMartino kicked off the event with an image laden sestina—a form poem that challenges a poet’s ability to push the same ideas in many different directions—about the experience of Sunday mornings with a significant other. Her second piece wrestled with her inability to learn Spanish, her mother’s native language, and the conflicts her and her mother have weathered.
Her work was very emotional and packed with images that grounded these emotions in reality. When asked what inspires her to write, she stated that she likes driving around and looking at the big houses she will (probably) never be able to afford.
Stanksi followed up this emotional performance with a twilight zone-esque short story. The story was a tonal accomplishment, as each scene was creepy enough to send a shiver down your spine.
A piece of advice she gave to young writers is to write what you want and acknowledge some of the stigma that comes with writing genre fiction. However, her work reminded everyone of all the ways genre fiction can resonate when a writer pulls it off.
Higgins read four poems, two of which were empowered, slam-style clap backs at the misogyny that exists in our world. These poems were powerful and combative, but Higgins didn’t shy away from being vulnerable during the event. The third piece detailed the death of her grandfather and her own struggles with mortality. The final piece was a heartfelt letter to her younger brother.
Aiudi read next, opening with an excerpt from a short story that followed a high school girl struggling with an eating disorder. The piece was tonally sharp, capturing the resignation and internal conflict that accompanies eating disorders. The prose was sparse, and her reading of the piece was very vulnerable. This was followed by a detailed piece of narrative poetry and a bit of advice for her fellow writers regarding never forcing a piece.
Thompson closed the event with a series of emotional and strikingly honest poems about coming to accept their sexual and gender identity. In their introduction, professor Null mentioned their quick wit on the page, something that poked through delightfully in their work, despite the serious subject matter.
Their first two pieces were about their asexuality and coming to accept it, while the third addressed their mother and her prejudices towards her child’s identity. They closed the event with a sweeping poem addressed to their younger self about past failings, their largely absent father and their coming realizations around their identity. Their performance was very raw and exceptionally emotional.
The Susquehanna senior readings provide an excellent opportunity for seniors to showcase all of their hard work over the last four years. These five writers are far from finished, and upon graduation, will have plenty of opportunities to continue to grow their voices and strengthen their work.