S.J.C. students rekindle literary tradition
Their school possesses a long and proud literary tradition, and the current students of St. John’s Junior College are not quite ready to see it die. That’s why some activists at S.J.C. are re-launching a publication of poems, essays, short stories and plays, all created by students. Metamorphosis 2003 is the title of the new edition, which will hit school bags on Friday evening when selected writings will be read by the authors at a public launching. Natalie Sadasey, who coordinated the compilation of Metamorphosis 2003, says that after a ten year break, it was time to rekindle the flame.
Natalie Sadasey, English Lecturer, S.J.C. Junior College
“I guess we lost some of the visionary teachers, they either went away or maybe even the motivation from students kind of dwindled away. I know this year we had a lot of active writers and so we thought this would be a good opportunity for them to collaborate and get something done in print. This has been a dream a mission of the school form any years, so we’re just picking up on the mission that has been occurring.”
Patrick Jones
“Now the book is called Metamorphosis 2003, why that name?”
Natalie Sadasey
“Okay, Metamorphosis is actually symbolic of change and I guess you can think of our political system, our environment, globalisation, there is change happening all around us all the time, so we just wanted to continue with that name. And 2003 just marks the year in which we are reviving this publication once again.”
The ninety page book is divided into different themes including love, maturity and ethnicity. Here’s a sample.
Ingrid Alvarado, Student (reading poem)
“Your height, your breasts, your hips…
You’re maturing,” my mother says glowing.
“What would you like for your birthday this year?”
“A huge clamp that would stop me from growing.”
“Don’t be silly,” she turned away with a frown,
Leaving me in the company of my ugly nakedness.
…All this nonsense is what led to the throwing away
Of my pink and white, floral Sunday Dress…”
Nicoli Lambey, Student (reading poem)
“So you’re over there like I thought you’d be,
Violating my privacy.
Did she moan this time or scream
Your name?
Which one was she or are they all the same?
So you’ve gone and took along what’s mine.
The Wedding ring and everything.
The things we’ve shared with time.
Now you come home to me with kisses
And smiles
Pretending that everything is fine…”
Friday’s book launch starts at five in the evening at the Student’s Hall on the S.J.C. Junior College Campus.
