The small basement of the Brookline Booksmith was overflowing as adults and teenagers shifted excitedly in their seats, their faces bright with anticipation. The buzz faded when one clear voice cut through the silence, lighting the room with rhythm and expression.

Every poem that was read at the 16th Annual Poetry Fest on April 29 received smiles of encouragement, and each time a reader faltered in nervousness, their peers gave encouragement by clapping, cheering or murmuring words of support.

“Before I read my poem I was really nervous of being judged. It’s hard to speak your soul out in public, but there was a definite feeling of community in the room, which made it easier for me to read my poem,” said senior Hanna Pinsky.

“Eventually I got so into the passion of my poetry that nothing else mattered and excitement took over nervousness.”

Senior Ana Bachman agreed about the audience’s support. “I was really excited to read my poem, and my expectations were totally blown away just by the way the audience reacted and listened to my poetry,” said Bachman. “I came in mainly to set an example for one of the English classes I assistant teach in, but at the same time I wanted to experience as much as I can before I graduate and I ended up really having a lot of fun.”

The room was filled with over a hundred people, so naturally most readers felt tense with anxiety and insecurity about presenting their memories and dreams to strangers.

“Before I read my poem, all I could think about was, ‘how is mine compared with this one?’ or ‘maybe my delivery should be more like that guy’s,’” said freshman Micah Katz-Zeiger. “After I went, I relaxed and started really enjoying the performances and looking deeper into what they were saying.”

Junior Collin Blinder referred to the turnout at the poetry fest as surprisingly large. “It’s cool how many kids at our school write such good poems like the ones read tonight.”

The annual poetry fest celebrated its 16th anniversary with refreshments and lottery prizes between each reading. The event was organized by English teacher Alison Frydman and librarian Lynne Cohen.

Cohen surprised the crowd with her rap poem and had members of the audience members drop beats while she rapped.

“I was both nervous and excited performing. This was the first time I did something like that, and I’m thrilled by the way it turned out,” she said. “The best part about this poetry fest is that poetry takes on so many different forms, and there are so many different ways to express yourself. All you have to do is speak up and people will listen to you.”

ShanShan Guo can be contacted at [email protected]