"Bridging Michigan" is an upcoming event at Northern Michigan University in collaboration with Michigan Humanities. Taking place on September 12th, the evening event features a conversation between Michigan's Poet Laureate, Nandi Comer, and the Upper Peninsula's Poet Laureate, Dr. Beverly Matherne. The event, which aims to highlight how poetry fosters understanding and connection, will be moderated by Dr. Shawnrece Butler, NMU’s Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion.
Dr. Matherne shared insights into her journey as a poet and how poetry can serve as a powerful tool for bridging gaps in our society. She is not only the Upper Peninsula Poet Laureate but also an emeritus professor of English at NMU. Her career has been marked by a deep passion for what she calls "ecstatic poetry"—intense, passionate, and personal expressions that seek to capture and convey the depths of human experience. She reflected on her early challenges as a poet, likening the process of learning to write poetry to a journey of reaching a high place within a poem.
As the Upper Peninsula Poet Laureate, Dr. Matherne has embraced the opportunity to engage with young students through workshops and readings. Beyond her personal journey, she made it a priority to engage with the local community through her poetry. She praised the efforts of institutions like the Peter White Public Library, where community members—not just poets—come together for poetry events.
Dr. Matherne also shared her unique approach to writing, which includes working in both English and French. "It makes writing more complicated," she admitted but noted that the process of toggling between languages often enriches her work. "The poems are being made better because I discover that I can say something in French more economically than I was saying it in English."
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's full conversation with Dr. Matherne:
Dr. Matherne graciously shared some of her poems; "Chocolay Bayou," which she wrote after a nature walk sponsored by the Peter White Public Library, U.P. Land Conservancy, and U.P. Poet Laureate Foundation, and "Take Me," inspired by personal upbringing and coping with grief.
The upcoming "Bridging Michigan" event centers on the theme of building understanding through poetry. In today's world, where communication often feels surface-level, Dr. Matherne sees poetry as a way to connect people to their most intimate depths.
Looking ahead, Dr. Matherne is working on a new book of haiku inspired by the natural settings of the Upper Peninsula. This project reflects her deepening connection to the U.P., a place she describes with admiration and love.
"Bridging Michigan" takes place on September 12, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Northern Center on NMU's campus.
Find more information at the Michigan Humanities website.
