Poets Rose McLarney and Jessica Jacobs delighted attendees with readings and insight at last month’s “Where We Live Speaker Series,” hosted by the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center.
Jacobs, who published her third collection “Unalone,” poems in conversation with the Book of Genesis in March 2024, opened the event by quipping, “I’m pleased to be [McLarney’s] opening act.” The audience laughed appreciatively, as many were in attendance to hear from Macon County native McLarney.
Jacobs, who lives in Asheville and is the founder and executive director of Yetzirah: A Hearth for Jewish Poetry, explained that she devotes most of her time to running the Yetzirah nonprofit, teaching and serving as a catalyst and editor for other poets. She shared insight into her latest exploration of sacred texts as she read poems in public for the first time from a project she began in September 2024.
Jacobs composed the series of poems during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene while she was visiting an art installation by Moroccan artist Younes Rahmoun in another state. Using a combination of English, Hebrew, and Arabic, the 13 new poems weave together Jacobs’s thoughts on the safety of loved ones in Asheville, the loss due to the storm, and reflections on the Book of Exodus.
Jacobs explained she plans to devote the study of Exodus as her next full-time project as a follow-up to her exploration of Genesis.
Revisiting her former school
McLarney followed Jacobs to the podium noting, “I’m fortunate to be back in my elementary school gym,” and jokingly expressed how much happier she was to be sharing her literary talents rather than being forced to play basketball.
McLarney, who serves as the Lanier Endowed Professor of Creative Writing at Auburn University, has published a number of books of poetry, including her latest work “Colorfast,” published by Penguin Random House, from which she read a number of poems based on local sites and traditions.
“My books are based in these mountains,” said McLarney. She noted, however, that while the imagery and events of Western North Carolina infuse her work, “I’m no longer a journalist,” doing reportage from the Appalachians when she writes. Rather, the mountains, gems, flora, museums, and people of the area serve as springboards for her creative imagination. Her latest series of work is also quite personal as she wanted to share her appreciation and respect for her mother, Susan Ervin. Ervin coordinates the “Where We Live” speaker series and was clearly touched that she could host McLarney in this capacity.
Following the reading, Jacobs and McLarney answered audience questions about their writing techniques, collaboration when editing each other’s work, and inspiration for future poems. As one audience member encouraged them at the end, “The words mean a lot to everyone. Keep doing it!”
Learn more about each writer’s work at www.rosemclarney.com and www.jessicalgjacobs.com.