Having Dove read and answer questions from the audience was an exceptional experience orchestrated by the PVCC faculty.įollowing the poetry reading, a reception was held with Soul Food desserts provided by the Black Student Alliance (BSA) Club, and prepared by Mouth Wide Open, a Street Eat co-owned and operated by English department faculty member Dr. “Golden Oldie” is a poem bursting with imagery: “I made it home early, only to get / stalled in the driveway-swaying / at the wheel like a blind pianist caught in a tune / meant for more than two hands playing.” Vacation by Rita Dove I love the hour before takeoff, that stretch of no time, no home but the gray vinyl seats linked like unfolding paper dolls. Rita choses common motifs that resonate with her audience. This literary skill is pertinent to the success of any author, especially a poet. The moving reaction from the audience credited the power of her words.ĭove has a knack for being able to articulate experiences in ways that relate to the reader. Lifetime Learning is honored to highlight three poems from Rita Dove. The choice of language helped the audience visualize the atrocities committed by the regime of the Dominican dictator Trujillo. Chocolate Rita Doves poem 'Chocolate' has many different kind of literary elements in it. The poem “Parsley” touches on the dark past of the island of Hispaniola, set in the year 1937. The audience had the opportunity to listen to her read from the 1983 collection Museum. Like many poets and other literary greats that reflect on history, Dove hasn’t shied away from more sensitive material. The awe-inspiring words of Dove set the tone for that evening’s atmosphere.ĭove’s work encompasses a range of topics including race, sex, politics, food, and her travel experiences, showing the immense versatility in her writing. Her eloquent speech and use of imagery yielded a crowd reaction worthy of a renowned poet. Rita Dove, president of Dove Chocolate, agrees, stating, Chocolate is the perfect end to a satisfying luncheon. The community was treated to a selection of poems read aloud by Dove. There was a good turn out for the poetry reading on Thursday evening. 1, Professor of English Jennifer Koster and the Creative Writing Club hosted a former United States Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Rita Dove on stage in the Dickinson Building.

Chocolate by rita dove