Western poetry comes to Central

Alexis Kowaleski

Western Michigan University professors Bill Olsen and Nancy Eimers read their poetry at Central Michigan University’s library on Tuesday, March 25, receiving rave reviews.

“I had never been to a poetry reading and this is definitely a good first experience,” CMU student Jillian Pekel from Fremont said.

The two professors, who are also married, shared their poetry, both new and old, giving poetry students a new and different perspective on poetry writing.

“The two both had such different styles, I really enjoyed being able to hear the back stories to each of their poems,” CMU student Alexandra Crosson from Livonia said.

Olsen read first and shared his inspirations to his Americana themed poetry. His poems reflected everyday life including his mother’s recollection of his birth.

“His poems were very realistic while giving readers a very vague image about who he is,” Pekel said.

Eimers’ poetry was very different from her husband’s. Her poems are based on an event or location that most people may take for granted, but Eimers sees poetry in every event around the world.

“I was a bigger fan of Nancy’s poetry…my favorite was the poem that reflected on the mining accidents that were plastered all over the news a few years ago, who thinks to write about that,” Crosson said.

The poetry reading itself was a success, with the audience giving the two a standing ovation.