Pictured Above: The Poetry Club poses together after an open mic event hosted in fall 2019.
Courtesy of Darien Desir-Thompson
By Annalise Anderson
Students don’t have to be the next Langston Hughes or Sylvia Plath to find their place in USF St. Petersburg’s Poetry Club.
The Poetry Club is an inclusive student-led organization dedicated to embracing poetry and promoting poetic expression, where, according to club President Darien Desir-Thompson, “you don’t have to be a poet to love poetry.”
“We want to create a safe space for USFSP students to share an interest in the culture of poetry, create workshops and build relationships among the poetry community,” Thompson said in an email to The Crow’s Nest.
Thompson, a junior criminology major, is a co-founder of the club. Thompson and then-President Giovanna Cano founded the club in fall 2018; Thompson became its president mid-2019.
“During my first year at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg campus, I aspired to join an organization that fostered creativity and expression. There were none existing that fit what I envisioned, so, I decided to create my own,” Thompson said. “Abigail Bradley-Tyler, from the Leadership and Student Organizations department, connected me with (Giovanna) who was interested in a Poetry/Expressive club.
“Giovanna, the first official Poetry Club President and co-founder of the club is an impactful poet and cherished friend. I am so glad we were able to meet under such ideal circumstances. One may say it was fate.”
The club hosts weekly poetry workshops every Monday from 3 to 4 p.m. on Microsoft Teams, which feature different themes and poetry-related activities. Open mic events are also hosted throughout the semester.
“Workshops and open mics are never a dull moment with its members and other performers,” Thompson said. “The atmosphere shaped in the Poetry Club is a special one that can never be replicated. I commend each and every member for being vulnerable and allowing others to peek at their imagination and unseen side.”
Adriana Lopez, a sophomore biology major, joined the club in fall 2019 and became its treasurer this semester. She said she joined the club in search of a creative outlet that was different from her classwork and would help her maintain her creative writing hobby.
“I think Poetry Club has made me more open to sharing what I write and also made me more confident in myself,” Lopez said in an email to The Crow’s Nest. “I had never done an open mic before joining Poetry Club and don’t think I would have without Poetry Club.”
Lopez said one of her favorite memories from the club is the Halloween Open Mic event held in fall 2019.
“I think it was my first or second open mic and I went dressed as the Mad Hatter to share a spooky poem. The poem itself was a silly one but I remember afterwards I felt great at having shared something I wrote with everyone,” Lopez said.
Thompson said that the club is “easily” one of the highlights of his college experience. His only regret regarding the club is not establishing it sooner.
“I and so many others have grown so much as poets, writers, speakers and people in general,” Thompson said. “Not only has it positively impacted my college experience, but so many other students and performers. And for that, I am so gladdened. The sense of fulfillment is invigorating.”
Thompson encourages students to reach out if they are looking for a safe place to express themselves. Those who are interested can be added to the club’s email list for event updates and invitations.
“Come in with an open mind and if there is anything you would like to see, make us aware,” Thompson said. “There is no pressure for continued involvement. If you find that the Poetry Club is not your cup of tea, that is totally fine.”
Students interested in the Poetry Club can email Thompson at dariend@usf.edu or message the club via its Instagram @thepoetryclubusfsp.
Courtesy of Darien Desir-Thompson
