Azrael Montoya
amontoya@foghornnews.com
Oklahoma native Dorothy Alexander came to share her life through her poetry as part of the Del Mar College Poetry Series.
Alexander read her poem “Ode to Darkness,” where she talks about her family and the far expanses of the universe, during her Nov. 1 visit to Del Mar College. She talked at great length about her childhood and her love of the radio, and the hardships of World War II.
“I don’t regret any part of my life,” Alexander said.
For liberal arts major Victoria Landon she was hoping to like poetry more by attending the event.
Alexander’s timeless poetry left the audience in a state of wonderment and reflecting on the good old days.
“I liked how I felt like I was being transported to another time with her poetry,” said Amanda Ramirez, a biology major at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Alexander talked about how good it feels to be alive and “cuss when she damn well pleases,” as she puts it in one of her poems she read about old age.
The event was engaging and left the audience lingering for more of her readings.
“It’s characteristic of Dorothy’s poetry,” said Reference Librarian Alan Barecka.
Audience members were there with different goals in mind.
“Her poetry inspired me to be a better writer,” Ramirez said.
Our “hearts and souls are elsewhere,” Alexander shared with the crowd from her poetry.
Alexander said her work moving forward will deal with potential persona poems.
“I’m trying to tell the story of General Custer’s encounter with Peace Chief Black Kettle Village in November 1868,” Alexander said.
Alexander’s muse for her poetry originates in many current events. Poetry is a great mode of expression for her.
“I’m inspired by the resistance and protest movements by women against the far right political influences in our cultural life in the U.S. today and across the world. … Give poetry a chance,” Alexander said.
