There will be a massive poetry reading of Walt Whitman’s book, “Leaves of Grass” at 7:24 a.m. today next to the pond by the Charles V. Park Library.

The reading is estimated to last roughly eight hours. Multiple English faculty and students are expected to take turns reading.

“Leaves of Grass” is a modern classic, as one of the first modern-untraditional works of literature in the late 1800s, said temporary faculty member English Allegra Blake.

“I think it’s interesting because (Whitman) is one of the biggest influences in modern poetry,” she said.

As Walt’s influences range from a dysfunctional childhood, to devastation in the Civil War, his poetry works tend to be darker in nature, something that wasn’t common in poetry during the time, Blake said.

Lakeport senior Joe Kane and Harbor Beach junior Steve Roggenbuck are headlining the event.

“We just hope people will come to listen; it’s a big celebration of poetry and life,” Roggenbuck said. “All we’re doing is being happy about being alive.”

The event will be Bovee University City lobby if weather is poor. Anyone is welcome to stop by and read aloud to pedestrians, as the event will be happening nonstop all day. For further information please contact Joe Kane at kane2jj@cmich.edu.

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E-mail the author: Alex VanDerStuyf