Retrospective reflection is a good thing

Rachael Z. Ikins, featured writer/poet, Word, Revisited, Cayuga Museum (photo by: Lisa Brennan)

On Thursday, April 26^th, Rachael Z. Ikins provided an intimate and well-expressed journey through her writings, which have garnered awards while also sharing anecdotes of a life well-versed in writing in all its various and endearing facets. Introduced by Clare Song Birds Publishing House publisher and editor, Heidi Nightengale, who cited Rachael’s recent recognitions; quipped that they were taught by the same English teacher in school, and they both have become accomplished poets and writers.

Draped in a colorful, majestic, sparkling shawl, Ms. Ikins eloquently shared her first prize and honorable mention citations through the National League of American Pen Women, and other regional and state-wide awards for her poetry. She is also an award winning artist/illustrator; but, it was her words that gracefully floated through the Carriage House performance space that enchanted her followers.

With a melodious tone sparked by quick flashes of wit, Rachael was a delightful featured speaker who also recognized other individuals who were influential in her writing career. Her insightful, retrospective reading of her poems gave audience members an appropriate primer in the work of Ikins for followers or first-time listeners. And her Q&A further revealed her unapologetic passion for writing and her methodology for expressions across literary genres  

Ron Van Nostrand, MC (Photo by:  Lisa  Brennan)

Once again, the evening’s emcee Ron Van Nostrand kicked off the open mic session, a stalwart feature of “word, revisited” programs. He pondered on the ineffectiveness of winter to battle ticks. 

Joe Sarnicola reflected on older men, death, life and silent communication, as well as a treehouse, Shangri-La, imagination, waves and remembrances. 

Heidi Nightengale shared “What I think about when I think about you” and a collection of thoughts as one moves through everyday experiences, and nuances of another as manifested in life issues.

Laura French poignantly expressed thoughts surrounding colors and sight, the range of feelings and emotions; the weight of the box and cremains.

Pat D’Agostino pondered the influence of Eugene O’Neill as she moved the audience through the poignancy of pipe dreams, deferment, sustenance, as well as issues of articulation and action. 

Bobbie Dumas Panek, an original supporter of “word” the predecessor before “word, revisited” was developed, with her usual grace reflected on nature, winter, and the descriptive relevance of snow, as well as what is heard during “lockdown” and musings on the universe, earth, and the multitude of leaf colors. 

Judith Trice read from her first chapbook with themes encompassing coming home and its sense of offerings and reflections, the sanctity of labor and repetition, the radiance of golden memories, gardening and playing god through dead heading, blooms and buds, hints of mortality and human trespass over the landscape.

Bourke Kennedy reminded the audience of the enchantment of a 4^th Birth Day and 2^nd grandson while articulating a year past and then a year present, the birth of a little brother, relationships with grandparents, and a pony.

Jennifer Maloney closed out the open mic session with poems that dripped with sensuality and words that traveled over issues of the night shift on Friday nights, boys, and the affects and subtle realities of relationships in the beginning stages of romantic feelings.

(front row:  left to right)  Joe Sarnicola (open mic), Heidi Nightengale (open mic), Laura Williams-French (open mic), Rachael Ikins, featured writer/poet, Judith Trice (open mic), Ron Van Nostrand, CEO/Publisher, Olive Trees, (second row:  left to right) Jennifer Maloney (open mic),  bill berry, Jr., CEO/Publisher, aaduna, Bourke Kennedy (open mic), Bobbie Dumas Panek (open mic), Eileen McHugh, executive director, Cayuga Museum, and Pat D'Agostino (open mic)

Thursday, April 26^th marked another unique and inspiring session of “word,revisited,” a bi-monthly literary series on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays thru to June exclusively sponsored by the Cayuga Museum, Olive Trees, and aaduna convened at the museum’s Carriage House Theater in Auburn, NY. Admission is $3/person.  Sign up for open mic starts at 5:50 PM with the featured speaker starting at 6 PM. A cash bar for wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks is available.

All proceeds from “word, revisited” benefit the work of the Cayuga Museum of History and Art.

"word, revisited" is not associated with any other sponsoring entity

in its bi-monthly literary series.

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