At-A-Glance
As we continue to come out of a pandemic that shut down the world, life looks a bit different than it did before. Some changes are permanent, others only temporary. One such change is in the selection of LBCC’s poet laureate for the 2022-23 school year.
The bylaws stipulate that the candidate must be a student at LBCC. The selection committee chose Quinn Wahl, 18, however, this is Wahl’s final term before transferring to OSU. Another poet, Sarah Prieto, has been chosen as poet laureate for spring term 2023.
As the poet laureate, Wahl will run the Poetry Club meetings held at 3 p.m. in the Roast Runners Café on LBCC’s Albany campus every Tuesday. He is also working on a collaboration between the Poetry Club and one of LBCC’s music composition groups, as well as establishing events sponsored in tandem with other clubs on campus. The Poetry Club also hopes to hold at least one staged reading this term.
Wahl has been writing what he calls “good poetry” since the age of 12 or 13. As a lover of language, he is drawn to the ebb and flow of poetry. The etymology, nuances, and cadences that often come together to create beautiful poetic prose creates an emotion within him that is hard to articulate.
“The way it can be weaved together as a fabric to create a beautiful design” brings him such a sense of peace, just as music does to a composer, Wahl said.
Chris Riseley, the Poetry Club’s advisor, said, “Quinn is one of the most observant people I have ever met. He is deeply studious, and funny. He’s got a great sense of humor.”
Believing that there are two schools of thought when it comes to poetry, traditional and modern/contemporary, Wahl tends to subscribe to the more traditional. However, the Poetry Club itself is open to all poets from every walk of life.
“The Poetry Club is actively welcoming of all poets, regardless of background. If you have never even seen a poem, come and enjoy some poetry. We’ll put a pen in your hand and you’ll be writing whatever comes out. Everybody’s welcome,” Riseley said.
In fact, a poetry reading will be held on “Friends Friday” in April, at a time yet to be determined. The reading will take place in the Student Leadership Office in the Forum Building.
“We hope to see you there,” said Riseley.
