Students recite poetry around the historic church square

With open hearts and poetic words, members of the St. Martinville Senior High Dead Poets Society were the main attraction during the first annual Poetry on the Square, sponsored by the City of St. Martinville and the St. Martin Parish Public Library.

The event took place on Wednesday, April 16, at local landmarks such as the Acadian Memorial, the African American Museum, Clambeaugh’s Restaurant, Le Petite Paris Cafe, and Maison Duchamp.

The Dead Poets Society performed original poetry written from the heart and life experiences, as well as poetry from such poets as Julie Kane, Louisiana’s poet laureate from 2011 to 2013.

The event was derived from a poetry workshop that Sandra Soloman, a librarian for the St. Martin Parish Library, held last summer. She was impressed with the outcome, so she added a few elements from the Festival of Words in Grand Coteau – where the SMSH Dead Poets Society also performs – including local landmarks around the historic church square.

With April being National Poetry Month, and last week having been National Library Week, it was the perfect time for this auspicious event.

Last year they held a similar event at the library, where kids excitedly went to perform their poetry, many for the first time. That event even included a Q&A session in which the audience had the opportunity to ask the presenters about their inspiration.