Year of the City

Because Mark Jarman's poetry reading was a "Year of the City" event, I assumed all of his poems would be centered around a city, and what it means to be from a particular area. However, Mr. Jarman's poetry covered numerous topics, ranging from religion, paintings, family life, and of course, the city he grew up in.
Mr. Jarman began the poetry reading by explaining he would read his most recently finished pieces first. Jarma's first piece, "Godly Life" focused on how we are all so lucky to be alive each day. In the poem, the author found himself on an elevator in a hospital after receiving good test results. While on the elevator, three nurses walked in, laughing and joking. This made Mr. Jarman think about how while everything was light and fun in the elevator, it was these nurse's job to inform patients of terrible, life altering information. The overall theme of "Godly Life" was to appreciate the life that is given to you, because it could be gone in a matter of seconds. Mr. Jarman also urged listeners to enjoy the paradise on earth, although eternity in heaven is most preferable.
"As Close As Breathing" is another poem that uses the power of God to influence the reader, or listener. The most important message Jarman has in this poem is that "called or not called, God is present." This was particularly inspiring, because it's comforting to know that in times of turbulence, whether you ask for it or not, God is there to help you through.
In the middle of his presentation, Mark Jarman explained that he had been asked to read a poem about a city, for Year of the City. He had only written one poem pertaining to a city, and that was of his hometown, Redondo Beach, California. Although this city is on the opposite side of the country from Loyola, the poem still had relevancy. "Dialect" was written while Jarman was in Scotland and reflecting on his hometown. In the poem, Mr. Jarman stated how he couldn't wait to leave California for Scotland, but he was sure he would someday return. After living abroad for awhile, he began to forget how people from home sounded, and referred to their accents and colloquialisms as a dialect. However, he still thought fondly of Redondo Beach, and when asked about his hometown, he sopke proudly of his "beach town." I think most college students attending the poetry reading could relate to this, because we had all left home at one time for a new place. I know when I am asked about my hometown, I think of all the positive things and feel a sense of pride, no matter where I am.
The remainder of Mark Jarman's poems were about his family, more specifically, his children. "The Wind" was inspired by a painting of the same name by French artist Felix Valloton. In the poem, Jarman Explained his worry of children ceasing to be children. The painting spoke to him, as if saying "forgive them." The painting urged Jarman to let his children grow up, and to become homesick for when they were little. I think again, most college students can relate to this. By coming to college, we are making the transition Mark Jarman talks about, and our parents are left mourning for our childhood.
Jarman ended his reading with a poem entitled, "Prayer for Our Daughters." Mr. Jarman explained that his poem was written pre- September 11th, and could not have been written after. In this piece, he urges his daughters to have hope for the 21st Century. Had he sat down to write this inspirational poem post- September 11th, Mr. Jarman is unsure if he could have offered hoped to his daughters for the future after learning what the world was capable of.
I left the poetry reading having learned numerous messages regarding spirituality, family and the whole college experience. I was able to take away a personalized message from Mark Jarman's broad presentation of poems.