Speaking words of wisdom

Young Chang

Sylvia Plath’s poem “Black Rook in Rainy Weather” is, literally, about

a forest and all the things in a forest and how when you look at a tree,

you can see creativity.

“Everything is an inspiration, everything touches you,” interpreted

Carlye Archibeque, a writer in Los Angeles who will be reading “Black

Rook” on Monday at Newport Beach’s Fifth Annual Poetry Festival. “The

poem is about poetic freedom.”

Archibeque’s take on the piece is in sync with the festival’s theme --

the first in its five-year existence -- which is freedom. Put on by the

Newport Beach Public Library Foundation as a free “gift” to the public,

the event celebrates National Poetry Month.

Eight writers from Orange County and Los Angeles will read pieces by

poets that have inspired them and whose work fits into this year’s theme.

Speakers include Gordon McAlpine, a writer and teacher of writing at

Chapman University; Master of Fine Arts students from UC Irvine and a

freelance writer for publications such as OC Weekly and the American

Journalism Review.

Poems include excerpts from Shakespeare’s “Richard II,” Yehuda

Amichi’s “My Mother on Her Sickbed” and works by Anne Carson, all of

which will reflect the theme of freedom -- in speech, faith, bearing

children, writing and any and every area of life, said Jacquelyn

Beauregard Dillman, a founding organizer of the festival.

“It’s to honor poets who can no longer speak for themselves,” she

said. “And I ask each speaker to be sure to make a comment on the life of

the poet and the poet’s body of work and why they chose this poem to

read.”

In addition to Plath, Archibeque will read Dorothy Parker’s “The Red

Dress” and “Afternoon.”

“She’s kinda inspired me all along the way I’ve been writing,” she

said. “I admired her sarcasm and her wittiness when I was younger.”

Now, as an adult, Archibeque said she is fascinated by how the poet

ended up living until the age of 73 after several attempts at suicide.

Another poem the writer will read, Ted Hughes’ “The Jaguar,” also ties

into the idea of freedom.

“The panther everyone is looking at is free even though he’s in a cage

because he has an internal life,” she said. “He imagines himself being in

a forest, pacing back and forth, instead of inside a cage.”

Victor D. Infante, a freelance journalist, will read works by Roger

Bonair-Agard.

“He just has an amazing ability to pull images from everyday

happenstance,” he said. “And just really elevate those items.”

Archibeque shared her main reason for participating in the festival.

“Usually you get invited to places to read your own poetry,” she said.

“I liked the idea of a reading that was all about other poets who have

inspired us.”

FYI

WHAT: The Fifth Annual Poetry Festival

WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday

WHERE: Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach

COST: Free

CALL: (949) 717-3890