Topics such as Iraq the subject of Fresno alumni's poetry
Andrew Riggs / The Collegian
Blas Mnauel De Luna currently teaches English at Firebaugh High School. Here, he reads some of his poetry. |
By Priscilla Castro
The Collegian
Former creative writing students from Fresno State, now renowned poets, are bringing their work back to campus.
Poets Blas Manuel De Luna and Brian Turner shared their poetry Thursday night. This is a reunion of sorts for De Luna and Turner. They were students together in a Fresno State class in spring 1993.
Jefferson Beavers, president of the San Joaquin Literary Association, said the goal of holding literary events on campus is to reinforce the importance of writing and literature in the university community.
“We feel the poetswill inspire people to read and write on their own poetry,” Beavers said.
The poets are part of the Visiting Writer Series, sponsored by the Department of English. It is the third year for the series.
Many students were excited to hear the poets speak. “I am curious to hear about the issues, the Iraq issues,” Gaby Delgado, a chemistry major said.
Paul Magarity, an enlish major also came to hear Turner read. “I have read Brian Turner’s poem ‘Here, Bullet’ and it was really good,” he said. “I think he’s awesome.”
Students did agree it was great that both Fresno State graduates have received national recognition.
“To me, I consider Fresno a small city it’s nice to have someone from that city receive national recognition,” Allison Shine, a liberal studies major said.
“I think it’s a great achievement,” said Magarity. “I would like to see more people from the San Joaquin Valley get published.”
The event even attracted local high school students. Megan Bailey and Chelsea Ohanesian from Bullard High came to hear about Iraq. “It’s a unique experience getting to hear someone talk about it,” said Bailey.
“I am very excited.”
De Luna was recently nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award for “Bent to The Earth.” He teaches freshman English at Firebaugh High School.
De Luna said he was inspired to write poetry when he took an American Literature class at Fresno City College. “I got into it because I liked [Walt] Whtiman’s poetry and wanted to start writing,” he said.
Receiving a National Book Critics Award has changed his writing career because he is going to publish a second book. De Luna said he is working on a novel which is two-thirds done. He is also working on short stories, and is halfway done with his next poetry collection, which he is hoping to be completed by December 2007.
De Luna said he is excited and nervous to read Thursday night. “I don’t want to blow it obviously,” he said.
Turner wrote “Here, Bullet” which was his first poetry collection. “Here, Bullet” accounts for the year Turner spent in Iraq. Turner has appeared on National Public Radio and other outlets to discuss his poetry.
“Brian has been getting a lot of critical acclaim, he has been the talk of the town poetry circles,” Beavers said. Turner is a part-time English teacher at Fresno City College.
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