By Layne Ogle
Staff Writer

Bakersfield is home to many aspects of inspiration; and many local poets made an appearance at the Walter W. Stiern Library at California State University, Bakersfield on Tuesday April 29 to show otherwise.

Curt Asher, Interim Dean of the Library, opened the reading by addressing the importance of poetry that originates locally.

“It is the purest form of literary art telling about the school and the town,” Asher said.

‘Walter Presents’ featured six Bakersfield poets beginning with CSUB’s Dean of Arts and Humanities, Dr. Richard Collins. Collins commented on the title of ‘Local Poetry.”

“All poetry is local just like all love is personal. There is no such thing as universal or abstract love and there is no such thing as universal or abstract poetry,” Collins said.

Portia Choi, a Korean immigrant, followed Collins and showed the audience how she uses her poetry as a way to cope with her emotions from the Korean War that began when she was only two-years-old.

Choi dedicated “Line Dance,” one of her poems, to her high school English teacher. “[She] opened my eyes and heart to poetry,” commented Choi.

Professor Emeritus of Bakersfield College, Dr. Nancy Edwards reminisced about her days as a professor as she read her poetry.

“[I am] very proud of the marvelous work done at Cal State Bakersfield,” Edwards said. “I was in love with teaching; as you enter that career you just fall more in love.”

CSUB’s own Dr. Marit MacArthur, who is currently compiling her first book of poems, read four of her poems including one titled “Comfort Zone.”

“I like poetry because it allows you to express different moods at different times,” MacArthur said.

Bakersfield native, Don Thompson, read an excerpt from his book “Local Color” published in February. In the chapter “True Crime,” Thompson recollects Bakersfield in 1904.

Another one of our CSUB professors, Matthew Woodman presented his poetry and expressed his desire for others to take a chance on their own writing.

“I encourage you all to do your writing and send it out into the world and see where it goes,” said Woodman.

CSUB Students Gerald Horowitz and Ashley Fischer were both given opportunities to read their poems, “Los Angeles: Miodotty” and “Loco Motives,” respectively.

“It’s so nice to hear that people like my poetry,” Fischer said.

Fischer was awarded first place in the 2014 Betty Creative Writing Award for her poem “Portrait Spun.”

This event offered students, faculty and locals a chance to show off their talents by reading for an audience of interested peers. It also opened a deeper understanding for poetry specifically written for locals.