First Blong Entry

As a sophomore at St. Lawrence, my government major nearly completed (it’s a particularly east major to finish). Though I have no real intention of going into either law or politics, I think the study of government and political science is incredibly interesting. Though I worry part of the St. Lawrence government major is just a preparation to work within the beurocracy, I find the way peoples organize themselves in political systems to be fascinating. I love exploring the interactions between nations, as well as the different systems, all leading to a greater understanding of the way people operate, as well as to how the world operates -- on a political level at least.
I hail from a Lenox, small town in western Massachusetts. As far as year round residents, it is a haven for yuppies looking to raise families outside of the city environment. And in the summertime visitors flock from the city to see our galleries, theaters, music, and other tourist attractions that appeal to those over-the-hill New Yorkers who clog the streets. Thought, that’s not to say that I didn’t love growing up there with a great group of friends coming from a small, but good, public school. Also, I love to brag to my eastern Massachusetts brethren about how much better western Massachusetts is than the suburbs that most mass residents live in.
Growing up in this somewhat rural area definitely fostered many of my passions – most of which involve the outdoors. In the warmer months, I love kayaking, playing tennis, rock climbing, hiking, as well as having a few beers on a porch on a beautiful even. In the colder months, I can usually be found snowboarding or Nordic skiing.
Most of the poetry I have written (and I actually write quite a lot) serves as a way for me to vent and get stresses off my back – I find that I write the most when I am angsting out the most. Though most of my writing is unstructured, unorganized, and not really meant for the eye of others. So as far as peer review and feedback, I have gotten very little except from the trusted eyes of a few friends. To be honest, I have very little experience reading poets, and can hardly choose any sort of influence, but from my limited exposure, a couple of my favorites are Nathanial Mackay and Rich Berlin.
Poetry is a means of expression that breaks from the limitations of structured prose or academic writing. When I write poetry, I feel like I am really putting myself onto the page. When I can’t put myself on the page, I feel like it is because I am obsessing over words and specific choices that impede my writing. I hope that this class can bring my poetry-writing to a organized form- one that allows me to express myself, but also allows readers to understand my emotions on the same level as I can when I review my work. I also look forward to gaining a much broader basis to work from, discovering many new poets.