Students had the chance to share and perform literary pieces with their peers during “Live Literature,” at the Chemistry-Physics Building on the University of Kentucky’s campus..  

On Nov. 13, the University of Kentucky’s Sigma Tau Delta English Honor society chapter and the Graphite Creative Writing Association hosted the event, giving students the opportunity to present original work, like poems and short stories, or to perform pieces by others, with credit, in front of an audience. 

“Live Literature” is hosted once a semester, allowing students multiple chances to take part in and attend the event. 

CJ Jones, co-president of the Graphite Creative Writing Association, said being able to perform pieces in front of an audience was valuable as a writer. 

“Reading it aloud, it’s such an insane experience compared to…this thing that you just had in your head,” said Jones.

The event kicked off as the hosts, including Jones, introduced themselves and shared the itinerary for the night. 

Jones’ fellow hosts were Trevor Wells, president Sigma Tau Delta, and Carmen Ponzio, vice president and social media chair for the Graphite Creative Writing Association. 

Beaux Hardin, member of the Graphite Creative Writing Association and co-treasurer of Sigma Tau Delta, was one of the participants; sharing an original piece inspired by a line from poet Amiri Baraka, titled “Let the world be a Black poem.” 

“It speaks to the artistry and not just the culture, the familial presence and the existence of Black people,” Hardin said. “‘Let the world be a Black poem’ is the acknowledgment and the growth of our existence here, and not just this country, but in the world.”

Some participants reflected on what writing can provide people. Josi Hofmeister, a freshman student double majoring in political science and law and justice, said that writing can help people relate to one another on an emotional level. 

“This is emotion put down into words, and other people have also felt what I’m talking about,” Hofmeister said. “Since everyone usually feels similar emotions but never in the same way, it’s always interesting to hear and share your unique experience.”

Sam Ratcliffe, a current MFA student at UK, shared three original poems, with her poem “Death is a secret between strangers,” being about grief, and the feeling behind it. 

“If you’re holding any grief, this poem is to you,” Ratcliffe said.

Luke Ruberg, co-president of the Graphite Creative Writing Association, said that writing helps communicate his own thoughts and feelings, calling his work a “confessional time capsule” of his life. He said that the poems he selected had an “overwhelming” theme of hope.

“It’s kind of hard to communicate certain emotions, so I always used art as kind of this vehicle to communicate this,” Ruberg said. 

During the event, Ruberg encouraged audience members to try writing themselves, and hoped that some were inspired after attending “Live Literature.”

“It doesn’t have to be good, it doesn’t have to be anything. I just want them to do it, and to think about what they’re doing,” Ruberg said. “Art isn’t about being good at it. Art is just about creating it, and finding a space in your heart to create it.”