Patricia Smith/ Wildness Symposium

I arrived around 12:55PM to the Sun Room at the Memorial Union to hear Patricia Smith read from her award winning book "Blood Dazzler". Upon entering the room, I saw two people standing outside, giving me the impression that it wasn't going to be a very well attended reading. Almost more awkward than anything, but once I stepped foot into the room, I found that many people had shown up to hear her. I found my seat in front of the stage. The podium set up with a microphone with a panel to the right of it for the following event. I pulled out my notebook and a pen to jot notes before deciding to head over to the refreshments table for some lemonade and a brownie. I noticed an African American woman doing the same thing. Not thinking anything of it, I went and sat down. Patricia Smith was introduced and to my surprise the same lady who was getting refreshments was exactly who I was there to see. She looked normal on the surface, but as soon as she began reading her poems that she had selected, she showed everyone in the room why she was standing where she was. She read with grace and confidence. Her facial expressions, pronunciation, and stamina were perfect. After each poem she would take a sip from her lemonade to clear her throat showing that she too was just a normal person with a gift for words.