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Photo by Bob Pennell Six-month-old Henry Owens Groetchen explores Ashland High School's library Tuesday night while his mom, Mara Owens, reads William Blake's "The Lamb." Owens was one of many poetry lovers who gathered to share not only their favorite pieces but their special meaning as well. Reading favorites raises tears, laughter By WENDY SIPOREN ASHLAND -- They ranged in age from 6 months to 72 years with professions just as diverse: English teachers, English students, a French teacher, a science teacher, actors, a computer consultant and a pastor. What they shared was a willingness to stand before 50 people Tuesday evening and read a cherished poem as part of a national celebration of America's favorite poems. The process brought Mara Owens of Ashland to tears. Reading William Blake's "The Lamb" to her 6-month-old son as he crawled underfoot, Owens re-enacted a family tradition going back three generations. Her father's mother read the poem to him. Her mother's mother read the poem to her. When her parents met, their love for the poem helped secure their love. In turn, they read the poem to their daughter, passing the love along. Now reading to her son Henry, Owens wiped away the tears. Other favorite poems brought laughter, particularly Bill Anderson's rendition of "On Flunking a Nice Boy out of School." Some were read slowly with great feeling. Some were read in monotone. Many of the participants began the readings of their "favorite" poem with a disclaimer that the poem wasn't actually their favorite, but merely an interesting or meaningful one. "I'm promiscuous in my love of poetry," said Shirley Patton. "I wouldn't trade it for any other, but it's not my favorite," said Barry Kraft. Ashland High School freshman Cheyenne Harrel said she chose Emily Dickinson's "My Life Closed Twice" because it's short. Others were more thoughtful. "It puts into words a story you can't even imagine," said Ashland eighth-grader Michael Brodin. The project was conceived by U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky as a way to "celebrate the pleasure and vitality of poetry." For Ashland High School English teacher Deirdre Keating, the event was a means to "take poetry out of the classroom" and communicate the personal nature of poetry. "I'm trying to get students to realize it's a verbal art form," said Keating. Submissions of favorite poems from across the nation will be collected into an anthology by the Library of Congress. A videotape of the readings may also become part of a documentary film. For more information, contact Robert Pinsky, project director, in care of Boston University, 236 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 002215. You may also enter a favorite poem by e-mail at: [email protected]. The deadline for entries is in April. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA