By Josie Osborne, Contributing Writer
Since the pandemic’s shutdown, Saint Leo’s authors were eager to inspire and encourage once again.
On Friday, Oct. 6, the Department of Language Studies and the Arts reintroduced their semi-annual event, Literature for Lunch. Students, writers, and friends alike gathered to listen as a group of Saint Leo’s professors read a collection of their published works.
From different walks of life, moments, and memories were presented to the audience by Anne Barngrover, Vedran Husić, Brooke King, and Gianna Russo.
Held in the Cannon Memorial Library with a lakefront view, this literary event was not only a showcase of beautiful lyricism and captivating prose, but it was also a time for connection — a time to see how the published professors view the world in their writing.
Russo shared a portion of her day-by-day collection All I See is Your Glinting: 90 Days in the Pandemic, providing a glimpse into her life during these trying months, as well as a poem from her book One House Down.
Barngrover read from her recently published collection, Everwhen, showcasing her whimsical, observational poetry created by her pure admiration for nature, as if she were saying inspiration is everywhere.
King presented works reflecting on her time in the military with intense, heart-wrenching yet enthralling diction, such as Redeployment Packing Checklist and Tin Box Battalion.
Husic recited Deathwinked, a piece of rich imagery, of youth and war, found in his short story collection Basements and Other Museums.
These writings, from the lovely depictions of nature to the powerful recollections of battle—despite requiring vulnerability of one’s innermost thoughts— were displayed by the authors loud and proud at the reading. However, Literature for Lunch was not just an occasion to read and listen.
“It was a way to connect with our students through our art,” said Russo. “And also, to model for our students what it means to be a working writer.”
King went on to add, “Doing this is also a way to get people exposed to different artists from different genres.”
For the writer in everyone, Literature for Lunch not only served as a source of inspiration for the students; it allowed them to see that there is something ahead— that they can become published just like the professors who mentor them.
“This [writing]is something you can dedicate your life to,” said Husic.
However, for the students and young authors, the best advice for those dreaming of beingpublished, as given by Russo, is to read and focus on building writing skills.
“Commit yourself to paper,” encouraged King.
Those who attended only had positive things to say about Literature for Lunch. Valerie Eulett, a sophomore majoring in English creative writing said, “The event was inspirational, beautiful, and wholesome.”
Even King said she could see the audience was enthralled, as if they were taking each word to heart. For those who missed this inspirational display of literature, the speakers were happy to announce that they plan to continue Literature for Lunch each semester, hoping to include other guests outside of the department to share their own unique stories.
