UCF hosts critically acclaimed poet Laura Kasischke

The Cypress Dome hosted a reading by critically acclaimed author and poet Laura Kasischke on Wednesday in Room 119 of the Health and Public Affairs Building.

Kasischke has been published in literary journals such as Harpers and The American Poetry Review and has received fellowships from National Endowment for the Arts and Guggenheim.

"Often there are poets that are great writers, but aren't good readers. She is a great reader a joy to watch," said UCF professor Don Stap.

While Kasischke is most notably known as a poet, she also writes short stories and novels. The reading began with a few poems, but the major attraction was when she chose to read her short story, "If a Stranger ApproachesYou About Carrying a Foreign Object With You Onto the Plane".  The story took about 20 minutes to read, and Kasischke introduced the time frame of reading the story before she read it.

This story demonstrated Kasischke ‘s ability to gain inspiration from seemingly mundane everyday occurrences and turn them into a masterpiece. The story flirted with metaphysical experiences and exceptional sensory detail with an uplifting meaning, making it a different experience than reading some of her poetry.

"Listening to her was like getting to know a person, at first you aren't really sure if you like or understand what you are hearing. But after listening to the reading go on you feel like you're getting to know her and the characters and the more you listen the more you like," said UCF English major Judith Roney.

UCF student Scott Kamps-Duac was one of the first-timers in the crowd, and said that the experience was one worth appreciating.

"Hearing a poetry reading is so different than reading the poem yourself, because you can hear all the inflections and stresses as the author intended. It's like hearing their complete voice," said Kamps-Duac.

Another UCF student Cole Platt was also experiencing a poetry reading for the first time.

"It was captivating to hear her read, I would definitely come to another reading," said Platt.

While her inspirations span subjects as wide as mythology and fables, Laura Kashschke herself serves as an inspiration to many of the students and writers who attended the reading. Even as a notable writer she still faces challenges daily, but these challenges can be overcome.