Seton Hall alum David Allyon will perform selections of his original poetry at Verbal Asylum, Seton Hall's Open Mic Poetry and Performance Series, at 8:30 p.m. on April 15 in the Pirate's Cove.
"My poetry can best be described as autobiographical but in a way that no one would assume it's about me," Allyon said. "It's kind of fantastical, whimsical and kind of dark as well. None of my poems are happy poems."
Allyon's first real exposure to poetry came last year when he took a poetry elective class with Professor Mark Svenvold of the English department. He is working on a manuscript of original poetry, which is currently being considered for publication by Write Bloody Publishing, a company that caters to performance poets. The company asks for submissions every year and Allyon is hoping he makes the cut.
"It would mean going on tour and it would be a lot of work, but it would be so exciting to make it in," Allyon said.
As he anxiously awaits a response from Write Bloody, Allyon, a NYC slam poetry regular, has been spending his time performing at venues across the tri-state area. While he enjoys performing his work, Allyon said he prefers not to be judged on his poetry.
"I don't like doing competitions," Allyon said. "People judging your poetry is weird to me."
Since his 2009 graduation, the former advertising art and graphic design major has been very busy with other projects besides his poetry. He recently launched his own T-shirt line called "People Like Me" and visited his alma mater in February to sell some of his designs to students.
All students are encouraged to sign up for the open mike at Verbal Asylum and may read up to two poems. There will be various musicians performing their work as well.
Verbal Asylum also launches the latest edition of "Chavez," Seton Hall's undergraduate arts magazine. Students published in "Chavez" will read their work and free copies of the magazine will be available for students.
Dana Cassidy can be reached at dana.cassidy@student.shu.edu.
