Visiting writer shares power of words

Poet, essayist, and novelist Kazim Ali spoke to students in four separate English classes Friday about language, literature, and how to approach learning about both. Both Upper School and Middle School students spent class time with Ali, who is participating in this year’s Greenhills Visiting Writer Program. The director of Oberlin’s creative writing program and an associate professor there, Ali will work with Greenhills students over the course of the year to help develop their understanding of words and their power.

Ali has published four books of poetry, including Sky Ward, his latest, and The Far Mosque. He has also published novels, including Quinn’s Passage and The Disappearance of Seth, well as translations and books of essays. He also was the founding editor of Nightboat Books and is associate editor of FIELD, a literary magazine.

Greenhills English teacher Anthony Pariano said he’s looking forward to more visits from Ali in March, April, and May.

“This really helps our students further their understanding of literature,” said Pariano, whose class discussed Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with Ali. “We’re looking forward to seeing him again.”