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Poets respond to Mary Seifert Cultural Series theme, ‘In God We Trust?’

March 17, 2014

Clarion University will present “A Lover’s Quarrel with Tradition: Poets Respond to the Theme, ‘In God We Trust?’ April 3 in the university art gallery. This event, part of the Mary L. Seifert Cultural Series, is free and open to the public.

At 4 p.m., poets Kazim Ali, Richard St. John and Dr. Philip Terman, professor of English at Clarion University, will read and discuss their poetry in relationship to their religious traditions (Islamic, Christian and Jewish), in terms of celebration, criticism and dialogue. At 7:30 p.m. the trio will give a literary reading.

Ali is a poet, essayist, fiction writer and translator. His books include several volumes of poetry, including: “Sky Ward,” “The Far Mosque,” “The Fortieth Day,” and “Bright Felon: Autobiography and Cities.” He has also written and published novels and books of essays. He is associate professor of creative writing and comparative literature at Oberlin College.

St. John’s first book of poems, “The Pure Inconstancy of Grace,” was published in 2005. His second book, “Each Perfected Name,” is scheduled for publication in late 2014 or early 2015. His long poem, “Shrine,” was released as a chapbook. In 2002, St. John completed a mid-career Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University. He is executive director of Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition.

Terman is author of four collections of poetry, including “The Torah Garden” and “Rabbis of the Air.” His work appears in numerous journals, including Poetry, The Kenyon Review, The Georgia Review and The Sun Magazine. His “New and Selected Poems” will be published in 2014. Terman directs Clarion’s Spoken Arts Reading Series and is co-director of Chautauqua Writers’ Festival.

The Mary L. Seifert Cultural Series Endowment of the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., was established to provide the Clarion University community with the cultural experiences that inspire learning through thoughtful discussions.

The event is co-sponsored by the Mary L. Seifert Cultural Series, the Martin Luther King Committee and the Spoken Arts Reading Series.

Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.

Last Updated 1/11/21