Award-winning contemporary poet Matthew Dickman gave a highly energized reading in front of a packed audience in Thompson Recital Hall on Wednesday evening.
Dickman's first book, "All American Poem," won the 2008 American Poetry Review Award and the 2009 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and 2012 was no disappointment for the Portland , Ore., native.
He co-wrote a book of poems titled 50 American Plays with his twin brother, Michael Dickman, who is also a poet. In October, his second solo collection of poems, "Mayakovsky's Revolver," was published.
English writing professor Emily Doak introduced Dickman, calling his poems "heartbreakingly dark." Doak mentioned his accomplishments and commended the strong emotions and themes that are alive in his work.
"[His poems] feel like challenges," she said, "to live a riskier life."
After taking the stage, Dickman alternated between humor and sadness in his poems. He captivated the audience with provocative lines and witty banter. He asked the audience, "Who here does drugs?" and joked that had "nothing to do with the reading, but see me after."
He then read an ode to the prescription drug Halcion, a drug which a doctor prescribed him in order to overcome a fear of doctors and needles for when he got his wisdom teeth out.
Next he moved into reading a few eulogies to his older brother, who committed suicide six years ago. "But we won't end on something sad," Dickman promised. "We'll end with a sex poem. That's part of funerals: sex. If you don't know what I mean, you will, and you'll think of me. It'll be nice, or creepy," he said.
Laughter filled the room throughout the night. The overall crowd reaction was at time surprised, but mostly positive.
"I thought he was really cool, but I was a little uncomfortable because it was pretty graphic at times," sophomore Kaitlyn Koby said.
"Everything [Dickman] says is very exposed, and he's not afraid to say it," said sophomore Andre Williams. "It's random, but it's relevant; it's connected."
During the reading, Dickman made various dedications that reinforced his contemporary style.
He dedicated poems to Jay-Z and Philadelphia poet Major Jackson, who visited campus last fall. Dickman also touched on some serious notes, dedicating the entire reading to the recently-deceased poet Jack Gilbert, whom he admired greatly.
Professor Debby Geis, chair of the Visiting Writers Committee, had nothing but praise for Dickman.
"He's one of those rare examples of a poet that doesn't necessarily call himself a spoken word poet, but is an excellent reader," Geis said. "He can really perform for an audience."