City of Roanoke Director of Libraries Sheila Umberger remembers the impact the poem “Patterns” had on her when she studied it in college. The 1915 poem by Imagist poet Amy Lowell remains with her today.
“The Imagists were an active group of poets in Great Britain in the early twentieth century, and they had written goals for their work,” said Umberger. “They wanted to use free verse to create an image and an atmosphere, but not to judge.”
To celebrate National Poetry Month, she recited a bit for us and talks about what this poem means to her.
Join other BOOK CITY residents at 7 PM on Monday, April 29, for Poetry by Heart. The event is hosted by Carilion Clinic’s Dr. Robert L.A. Keeley Healing Arts Program and BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke.
Participate by memorizing a poem or part of a poem. The casual coffee-house style event at Java the Hutt in the lobby of Roanoke Memorial Hospital will give you a chance to recite the poem and tell in just a couple of sentences why it’s in your heart. We’ll also hear haiku from the Carilion employee haiku contest and enjoy refreshments and camaraderie around words.
We’ll see you then. Until then, here’s Sheila Umberger on Patterns by Amy Lowell ★
BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke 