Often, when people think of poetry, they think of dusty old men writing boring love poems in an ivy-encrusted tower. Something they might not think of is a group of teens meeting on the football field at night, spitting rhymes about the struggles of their daily lives.

This year, Poetry Club has taken a turn away from the stuffy history of poetry and has become a place where students–and staff- -can vent, tell stories, and hang out. Senior club member Tim Jordan, who responded to the interview in rhyme, said “We’re not as much a club as a confused congregation/That tends to look at words with curious inspiration/We’re kind of like chill I guess, we don’t really mind/if your poem rhymes or if it doesn’t.”

In Poetry Club, a variety of activities take place. Slams, free writes and open mics are all regular occurrences hosted by the club.

“The different, interesting activities that we do in the club help to keep interest up,” said this year’s club leader, junior June Davies. A regular club meeting might be a bit more low-key than the hosted activities. Members usually will share their poems for enjoyment or peer review, as well as discuss ideas for slams and other events.

Junior Andrew Tesoriero, two-year member of Poetry Club, says that his favorite memory of the club was the slam last May.

“It was the first time I read something, and it was such a welcoming environment,” said Tesoriero. “Also there was music and fire juggling, so it was fun.”

When asked what his favorite moment of Poetry Club was, Jordan responded in rhyme again.

“My favorite moment of poetry club/Happened this year in a last minute scrub/No key to the building, no real plan at all/All we had was poets, and the beginning of fall/Our very first slam in the field in the dark/Reading with candles, a slam with a spark,” said Jordan.

In the past, the club has had late night, candle-lit meetings on the football field, gone on nature hikes to search for inspiration for poems and hosted events like the Lake Oswego Poetry Slam. All kinds of LO residents shared their poetry with their friends and families.

Their next official poetry slam is Oct 30, and is open to everyone, poet or non-poet. More information on this event can be found on the Poetry Club posters hanging around LHS, or by asking Davies or any other member of the club.

The friendly, open arms of the Poetry Club members can make any poet of any skill feel at home. William Shakespeare and William McGonagall (who is widely regarded as the world’s worst poet) alike can fit in well.  Whether you’re learning about rhyme schemes, or writing an alexandrine anapestical sonnet, there is a seat for you in Poetry Club.