Ashley Capps reads dark poetry
Jennifer Kennedy
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: News
Ashley Capps, author of the poetry book Mistaking the Sea for Green Fields and winner of the 2005 Akon Poetry Prize, gave a reading of both her book and most recent poetry to faculty and students in the Soda Center. Capps came to campus as part of the Creative Writing and Reading Series on Wednesday October 1.
Her poetry was heavily influenced from her North Carolina upbringing. She said she identifies her poetry with a "southern way of poetry writing."
English Professor, Brenda Hillman, in an introduction to Capps' reading said, "Ashley Capps' phrasings are delicately dark and can be heartbreakingly funny. She doesn't demonstrate faith in institutions or social structures but in the survival skills given by the human imagination."
Capps' poetry is autobiographical and contains themes which range from animal cruelty to suicide to family. "I have a fundamental story telling impulse," Capps said.
During the reading, Capps was very soft spoken, had a quiet voice, and closed her eyes often.
In the question and answer session, Capps shared with the audience that she is an animal rights activist, which is reflected in her poetry. "Animal welfare is a big part of my life," she said. She does not like that farm animals are trapped in crates and cages unable to move or stand. She also mentioned that she was amazed and happy to see cows actually roaming free around the Bay Area.
In her more recent poetry, Capps said, "I'm trying to make room for more of the world and more of the questions and more of what I see."
She said she has become influenced by reading philosophy. She attempts to answer questions such as "What is a self?" in her poetry.
"It [philosophy] does things with and to language. Take the most basic question… and you're forced to restructure it…even if the questions aren't answerable at least you can play with them," said Capps.
"Her perceptions are elliptical, bold and irreverent. She sets sentences and images next to each other in ways that are never predictable," said Hillman.
The next reading in the Creative Writing and Reading Series will be held October 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Soda Activity Center. Peter Orner, author of The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo, will be giving the reading.
Her poetry was heavily influenced from her North Carolina upbringing. She said she identifies her poetry with a "southern way of poetry writing."
English Professor, Brenda Hillman, in an introduction to Capps' reading said, "Ashley Capps' phrasings are delicately dark and can be heartbreakingly funny. She doesn't demonstrate faith in institutions or social structures but in the survival skills given by the human imagination."
Capps' poetry is autobiographical and contains themes which range from animal cruelty to suicide to family. "I have a fundamental story telling impulse," Capps said.
During the reading, Capps was very soft spoken, had a quiet voice, and closed her eyes often.
In the question and answer session, Capps shared with the audience that she is an animal rights activist, which is reflected in her poetry. "Animal welfare is a big part of my life," she said. She does not like that farm animals are trapped in crates and cages unable to move or stand. She also mentioned that she was amazed and happy to see cows actually roaming free around the Bay Area.
In her more recent poetry, Capps said, "I'm trying to make room for more of the world and more of the questions and more of what I see."
She said she has become influenced by reading philosophy. She attempts to answer questions such as "What is a self?" in her poetry.
"It [philosophy] does things with and to language. Take the most basic question… and you're forced to restructure it…even if the questions aren't answerable at least you can play with them," said Capps.
"Her perceptions are elliptical, bold and irreverent. She sets sentences and images next to each other in ways that are never predictable," said Hillman.
The next reading in the Creative Writing and Reading Series will be held October 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Soda Activity Center. Peter Orner, author of The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo, will be giving the reading.