Pictured above: Giovanna Cano, left, receives flowers from her boyfriend at the Poetry Club’s Valentine’s/Anti-Valentine’s Open Mic on Feb. 11.
Cassidy Schuck | The Crow’s Nest
Where do broken hearts go?
For the poets at USF St. Petersburg, they went to the Valentine’s/Anti-Valentine’s Open Mic. On Feb. 11, students from the Poetry Club gathered in the University Student Center ballroom to listen to and perform their Valentine’s Day-themed poems. As everyone found a seat, club president Darien Desir-Thompson remarked on the growing turnout.
It has only been a year since Desir-Thompson started the Poetry Club with friend and former club president Giovanna Cano. The turnout was impressive, according to the duo.
Asked why they started the Poetry Club, Desir-Thompson and Cano explained that they’ve been writing poetry “forever” and wanted a place to share it. As the night progressed, it was clear they were not alone in their feelings.
After a round of “rotation poetry” — a game where sheets of paper are passed around a circle with each person writing a line on each sheet until the poem is completed — the group returned to talking.
Student Xia Serpenta remarked on how poetry has always been a way for her to express herself. She’d been writing poetry for five years before joining the club nearly a year ago. She now serves as the vice president.
As the event drew to a close, a reminder for their upcoming event, “Voices of the Black Experience,” was announced. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 on the deck outside The Edge.
All are welcome, whether it is to perform a piece or listen to others, Serpenta said.
If you’re interested in joining the Poetry Club, it meets on Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in the USC Ocean Room.
