On October 10, 2016, I attended a poetry reading by Gregory Pardlo. The event was part of the Visiting Writers Series, and was sponsored by the Murphy Writing Program here at Stockton. I was not sure what to expect, as I am relatively unfamiliar with his work and how readings at Stockton are conducted. The event was not one of massive fanfare or elaborate introductions; quite simply, Mr. Pardlo read a small collection of poems from one of his books, making humorous comments and inside jokes that only people from South Jersey would understand in between each poem. Noteworthy pieces included, Attachment: Atlantic City Pimp; Philadelphia, Negro; and Raisins. After reading several poems, Mr. Pardlo opened the floor to questions, and patiently answered all inquiries before bidding us farewell.

Mr. Pardlo’s work, like the man himself, seems unassuming at first. Upon walking into the room, I actually believed him to be part of the audience. Somewhat soft-spoken, I briefly believed that his words would not have an impact on me. I was wrong, of course, as they slowly snuck up on me and found a place somewhere in my chest, just north of my heart. Mr. Pardlo clearly feels most at home writing about just that: home. His family often lies at the heart of his most inspiring pieces, such as Attachment: Atlantic City Pimp, which recounts an email Mr. Pardlo received from an aunt of his with an image of a pimp she thought noteworthy in Atlantic City. From a technical standpoint, it is an excellent poem, using simile and descriptive details to paint a picture of figures Mr. Pardlo clearly holds near and dear, but it struck me on a much more personal level. I myself use my own family members as inspiration for my writing, and although I do not always portray them in the most positive light (as Mr. Pardlo seems lovingly critical of his aunt) I do describe them with the elegance and grace they deserve, as Mr. Pardlo does. Mr. Pardlo discusses how his aunt deems many different men as being less than worthy of her time and attention, but notes that “[this image]…was the one she found worth saving.” This hypocritical nature is explored, although subtly, in his descriptions of her, and we as readers are forced to examine our own families, and our own flaws, as well as our perceptions of these aforementioned flaws.

It was a privilege to hear Mr. Pardlo speak, and I highly recommend the Visiting Writers Series, as Mr. Pardlo’s poetry and writing–as well as any piece of noteworthy writing– scrutinizes the intricate layers of the people we love and ourselves, and encourages us to climb our own family tree, to find ourselves lost in the branches and examine the carvings we may find in the wood.