Literary Greensboro

  I had an inspiring afternoon last Saturday as I attended a Memoir Writing Workshop and Book Reading by the WGOT, Writers Group of the Triad at the Central Public Library in Greensboro. After residing in my new hometown for 6 months, I FINALLY obtained my long overdue Library Card- my passport to reading, writing and other adventures of the mind! The library is huge and awesome! I left with two books in my book bag and cannot wait to return for more.

I was excited to be among a diverse group of folks, many of whom had written (or were in the process of writing) their life’s stories. Members of the WGOT Memoir Groups I, II and III recently published  You Must Remember This, an anthology of their works. The workshop was designed to encourage and inspire their fellow writers as well as to promote the sales of their book. Their sales pitch was a success and my curiosity was piqued by the snippets of their readings. I left with my own copy and have had my nose wedged down between its covers for the last few days, or rather evenings.

Among the attendees was a fascinating lady, Ann Deagon, who attended the workshop as an honored guest and was recognized as a mentor to one of the group’s leaders, Sandra Redding. Ms. Deagon is a recipient of the 2012 Gilbert- Chappell Distinguished Poet‘s Award. A retired professor from Guilford College, she is an eccentric, luminous literary spark and personality, one of those people who are simply a walking, talking “Life Story“. When I complimented her on a large carved Medusa pendant she wore suspended around her neck, she briefly shared a humorous story about her longtime association with this symbol. With the careful enunciation and deep drawl of the educated Deep South, she explained that years ago while living in Birmingham, a stranger had inquired as to her job. When told that Ann was a scholar and writer, this person replied (I attempt to feign Ms. Deagon‘s accent …

“Way-ull, I had ass-SOOMED she was a NUSS

o-ah in thuh MED-cal pr-FESH-un…”

Upon further inquiry, it was learned that her license plate, which read MEDUSA had inadvertently been mistaken as MED USA!

These days, Ms. Deagon often recites her poetry in song although she doesn’t profess to be a singer, and performs with a group of elderly women called the “Wise Cracks“! Although she is as vivid a character as you’ll ever meet, she admits with an unapologetic smile that most of her current work revolves around a central theme of “Death“. On the stage, these readings are often shared and contrasted with a younger woman whose poetry is about “Life”. Upon reconsideration, Ms. Deagon admitted with a chuckle that the works are

“ACK-shoo-ugh-LEE (actually)

ugh-BAY-ult (about)

“Sex”!

As we parted to take our seats for the remainder of the program, I could only imagine that for this wise-cracking woman of a “certain age”, it was highly probable that “Sex” could indeed be deemed a valid counterpart to “Death”, especially when you are the self-proclaimed, Medusa.