At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, poet Niina Pollari gave a reading in the Wriston Art Center Galleries. She read mostly from her book “Path of Totality,” but she included some other original poems as well. The 45 minutes or so that Pollari was reading were absolutely incredible and life-changing.
The reading received a large turnout — all the chairs were full and people were standing in the back and on the side of the gallery to hear her. I noticed a handful of professors from the English department, of course, but also from the dance department and from art history. There were also plenty of students in attendance, as well as various community members.
Assistant Professor of English Austin Segrest introduced Pollari, noting her way of writing with “broad brushstrokes,” among many other poetic attributes. Pollari herself was delightful to watch — her way of being both decidedly direct and funny in a grounded, slightly self-effacing sort of way made for an enjoyable and thought-provoking time.
Her book “Path of Totality” is a collection of poems that grapple with the birth and death of her first baby. While the subject matter is intensely personal and emotional, Pollari writes in a way that is both searing and comedic, sensitive and relatable. I say it’s relatable not because of the subject, but because of how she writes so matter-of-factly. Reading and listening to her poems makes you feel as though you know her.
Pollari commanded the gallery. She spoke with conviction and poise, while also making jokes and laughing throughout the reading. She would sometimes back up to explain context, talk about her years living in New York or provide a humorous warning about the prevalence of bathroom-related words in her poetry.
One of the poems that stuck with me (although, to be completely honest, they all stuck with me — her poetry is wonderful!) was her poem “Urine Season.” At the end of the poem, she writes, “Some will say this is not a poem for them. But I say it’s a poem for anyone who ever expected anything.” This seems true to me; although many of her readers may not understand the specific grief and pain she went through, they can still relate to the feeling of disappointed expectations.
Pollari’s book is full of very specific body and medical imagery, as well as moments of deep emotion juxtaposed with statements that read more as facts. There is also an environmental thread running through her poetry. Her style of writing, at least in “Path of Totality,” circulates through prose poems and through longer, single-line poems that often include some sort of passage of time.
For those who haven’t read “Path of Totality” yet, I highly recommend you do. Pollari’s poetic style, her personal voice and her larger story are all worth reading and pondering. Of course, it’s important to note the emotional and potentially triggering subject matter, so make sure you enter it with whatever support you may need.