Poetic Life: An evening of poetry and discussion celebrates National Poetry Month

An eclectic group of individuals from the business, television, sports, and cultural communities of the Suncoast will gather for “Poetic Life,” an evening of poetry and examination of what it means to lead a poetic life, including a discussion of the danger of over-rationalization in our contemporary culture. Taking place Wed., April 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Harold and Kay Ronson Grand Atrium of the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota, “Poetic Life” will feature reading in Italian and English by author and poet Piero Rivolta and arts critic Richard Storm, from Rivolta’s collection of poetry, “Just One Scent (The Rest Is God).” ABC 7’s Wendy Ross; Michael’s on East co-proprietor Michael Klauber; writer and poet Su Byron; and organist and co-founder of both Key Chorale and Gloria Musicae Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe will read poems they’ve personally selected from their favorite writers. Tennis legend Nick Bollettieri will close the readings with a few comments before reintroducing Rivolta and opening the floor for questions and discussion of the evening’s themes. Presented as part of National Poetry Month, “Poetic Life,” is free and open to the public.

Rivolta, who has authored four volumes of poetry and poetic stories, as well as four novels, says that leading a poetic life is about finding “a simpler, more genuine and universal way to feed our mind with observations.” A poetic-sense approach, Rivolta explains, “doesn’t rationalize what it sees, but tries to get out a message, a meaning for what is happening in front of its eyes. This approach opens us up to a creative process for living that involves both heart and mind — allowing us to use our rational brain to make sense of our lives without disavowing the essential truth and beauty of human experience.”

The event also marks the release of a second edition “Just One Scent (The Rest Is God),” which was originally published in Italy, in 1999, by the publishing house of Crocetti Editore, and which has sold over 7,000 copies worldwide. The second edition includes an updated introduction and additional photographs, and was published in March in the United States by Sarasota-based New Chapter Publisher. “Just One Scent,” signed by the author, will be available for purchase during the event; the book is also available at Bookstore1 on Main Street, Sarasota, on Amazon.com, and through newchapterpublisher.com.

For more information about Piero Rivolta, visit newchapterpublisher.com, or follow him at Facebook.com/PieroRivoltaAuthor.