FILM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2002
4 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5
ARTS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2002
Women of Medusa write, critique poetry
By Amy Kelly
akelly@kansan.com
Jayplay writer
When discovering the group bears the name of Medusa, the serpent-haired Gorgon of the Greek classics, one might get the impression that these ladies are simply out to turn some no-good men to stone. But member Ruhlen says the group's name actually refers to Medusa's North African origin, not the horrific figure of Greek mythology.
"We do not hate men," Crichton said. "The mixed group tends to change the focus a lot of the time. It's easier to critique one another's work in an all-female situation."
The current incarnation is a group of five Lawrence women who have taken the collective name of Medusa in an effort to celebrate the lost art of verse.
The mythological figure of Medusa has been resurrected, and she is quite the poetess.
"A couple of us were working in a sandwich shop and we shared a love of poetry," said Sarah Ruhlen, a founding member of Medusa and KU alumnus, who posted fliers to invite other poets in the area to join the group. "When we first started, there were men and women involved, but the guys got jobs and moved away. The group just started to get more and more women."
Since banding together in 1997, the women of Medusa have met once every two weeks to discuss and critique one another's poetry. They also have gathered monthly at Aimee's Coffee House, 1025 Massachusetts St., to perform their finished opuses.
The roots of Medusa were actually established in the unlikeliest of places — a fast-food joint.
"Medusa actually was an African goddess of wisdom and creativity," Ruhlen said. "We were at one of our early meetings, and one of the girls had written a poem called 'Medusa.' It was storming out and there was a lot of electricity, and we were all like, 'OK, Medusa is our name.'"
Nancy Crichton, a Medusa member and high school teacher, says limiting the group to only females enables women to express themselves more freely.
Since their early days of sharing poetry privately, the lady bards have since become a staple at Aimee's the first Thursday of each month from 8 to 10 p.m. The open-mike format allows the women of Medusa, as well as non-members, a chance to read
GARLIC
Don't use a garlic press. Get a sharp knife cut the garlic yourself let the oil seep under your fingernails it will stay in your skin for days.
Offer your fingertips to your lover as appetizers.
Anne Beryl Wallen
their works in front of an audience.
Peigi Robinson, who joined Medusa in March, recalls she got involved by being an observer at first.
Men and women alike are welcome to attend Aimee's poetry sessions, regardless of experience. Even if a writer's work has been deemed worthy of censorship by others, Medusa never considers censorship as an option.
Although the monthly readings may be intimidating to newcomers, the openmike setup is far from the verbal warfare of a poetry slam.
"The only limit we have is that you can't read for more than seven minutes." Crichton said. "We love having new people read. It's a very warm climate for new poets."
"I went to the first meeting just as a visitor, and then I ended up asking if I could read my poetry," Robinson said, adding that Medusa's mandatory critiquing sessions helped develop her writing style.
"I've definitely seen an improvement in my poetry since when I first started," Robinson said. "I used to not put a lot of time into it. The critiquing has really helped."
"It's pretty laid back," Ruhlen said. "There are some 'performance artists,' but it's really all about different styles."
The women of Medusa are currently looking for two or three new members who need to be Lawrence females. A questionnaire is available on the Medusa Web site, medusa.sunflower.com, and interested poetesses are encouraged to send the group information about themselves and their poetry.
Aimee's Coffee House hosts Medusa's Open Mic tonight from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, contact Medusa at medusapoetry@yahoo.com.
— Edited by Ryan Malashock