Professor interprets work from New Orleans poet
Discussion on Sheryl St. Germain's poetry
Ashley DeHoyos
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News
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Muirhead, an English professor at Central, spoke to a small group of honors students last Wednesday.
Muirhead used his presentation to reach students who are passionate about studying St. Germain's work on a deeper level.
During his presentation he recited poems and essays from St. Germain's books Let it Be a Dark Roux: New and Selected Poems, Making Bread at Midnight, How Heavy the Breath of God, The Journals of Scheherazade and Swamp Songs: the Making of an Unruly Woman.
St. Germain, a native New Orleans poet, has taught creative writing at The University of Texas at Dallas,The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Knox College and Iowa State University.
She currently directs the masters of fine arts program in creative writing at Chatham University where she also teaches poetry and creative writing.
St. Germain's work has received several awards including two NEA fellowships and NEH Fellowship, and most recently the William Faulkner Award for personal essay.
Muirhead used his heart and soul in the presentation, clearly articulating the words for each student to hear and understand. His voice rang calm in the echoes between the room walls making the reading a much more personal and relaxing session.
"I appreciate her work; it deserves a larger audience," Muirhead said.
St. Germain's powerful direction has satisfaction for the English professor, who speaks highly with great admiration and cheerfulness of the poet.
He even had a difficult time deciding which poem was his favorite.
"Oh, so hard, oh I'm not sure," Muirhead, said with a smile, Why I went into the Jungle. It's so elemental to humanity. It attracts heart and people can relate."
He ended his hour-long presentation with "This is a tragic life," a quote from St. Germain's work.
Students at the event enjoyed his interpretation of work.
"Having his interpretation of her poetry helped because everyone's interpretation varies," said Charlotte Moore, an English honors student who is reading Let it be a Dark Roux: New and Selected Poems.
"Her poems deal with reality," Moore said. "It provided insight into the poet's style of writing," Katie McNally, an honor student who sat in the front row, said.
McNally agrees with Muirhead and said," The presentation increases awareness of St. Germain's poetry."
McNally has read most of her work and will have read it all by the end of this week.
"My favorite poem is 'Rain', from Making Bread at Midnight" McNally said.
After the presentation, Muirhead said, "I achieved my goal. I introduced students to her work and I hope to revise and edit my translations and submit it to be published."
Muirhead wants St. Germain to have a larger audience and is working on helping her gain the respect she deserves.
Muirhead said, "She needs more credit for her work."
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