Nationally known poet, Judith Kerman, visited AC last Thursday, to recite poetry and speak to students about her career. She also included samples of her performance poetry, which is done to music, as part of her presentation in the Hickman Board Room. (Photo by Jennifer Miller)
“Part of my goal for this course is to have students see the complete spectrum of today’s poetry,” said Don Cellini, professor of modern languages and cultures, after a presentation on Thursday, February 24. The presentation was given by Judith Kerman, a poet and poetry translator. Cellini was referring to students in his creative writing poetry class, who he wants to understand every aspect of poetry, from traditional, to humorous to, as he put it, “the other edge” of poetry.
Cellini, who has been a professor at Adrian College for 22 years, set up three speakers to talk about different types of poetry. Kerman was the second of the three.
Kerman focuses on both writing and translating poetry. She has translated entire books of poetry from Spanish to English, and has even had her own work translated into Spanish.
Two of the books she has worked with and translated are “A Women in Her Garden,” and “Praises and Offenses,” both of which are poetry novels. Her own book, “Plane Surfaces,” a collection of her poetry, was translated into Spanish.
“I do a lot of different things and I get a reaction that people think it’s amazing and it’s really not,” Kerman said. “People have more talent than they realize. You have to allow yourself to be a beginner.”
At a young age, Kerman began to study music (mostly singing and piano). Many years later, she decided to combine music with her poem, “Deep Sea Diver.” The end result inspired her to become what she is today. Kerman now sings and recites her poems to audiences at poetry conventions and readings.
“It’s great that we are able, as students, to see people that are out in the world that have created poetry, translations, and productions,” said senior Autumn Hernes, who was in attendance at the event last Thursday.
Overall, Hernes was very impressed with Kerman’s presentation. She felt it was nice to get to see different aspects of poetry, especially from someone as interested and enthusiastic as she is.
Kerman gives advice to anyone who wants to be a translator or poet. For the translators she said, “Do more than classes, immerse yourself in the language, you have to want to do it. You have to care.” And for the hopeful poets, she said, “If you want to be a poet, read. The world is not waiting for you.”