Thornton Reading Explores the Power of Art

By Ellie Simmers ~ Assistant News Editor

Poet and New York Times bestselling author Maggie Smith stood before a packed ballroom at the University of Lynchburg, reading from her acclaimed books Goldenrod: Poems and Good Bones. The event was part of the university’s spring semester Thornton Readings, sponsored by the Thornton Endowment. 

Introducing Smith, Dr. Kelly Ann Jacobson shared how her students described the poet’s work as “cynically optimistic, real, honest, emotional, understandable, jaded, melancholy, and hopeful.” 

Smith’s poetry often reflects her experiences as a mother, as seen in poems such as ‘What I Carried’ and ‘First Fall,’ which explore the beauty and fears of motherhood. 

Smith explained how odd it was to share her journey and struggles with the world, “When you publish something, it stops belonging just to you and starts belonging to other people.” 

Most widely recognized for her viral 2016 poem ‘Good Bones,’ Smith reflected on how she has grown distant from her most famous work, as if it no longer belongs to her. 

“It stopped feeling like something I had written and started feeling like something that just existed in the world, and sometimes I actually have to remind myself that I’m the person who wrote it. I never have to remind myself of that with the poems that have my children and their words in them,” said Smith, emphasizing her emotional connection with the poems that her children directly inspired. 

Smith speaking during the Thornton Reading. Photo Credit: University of Lynchburg

While much of Smith’s work explores personal themes of motherhood and identity, her upcoming book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life, shifts focus to the creative process. Offering what she calls the “ingredients to the secret sauce,” the book explores the essential elements of writing.

In the spirit of her upcoming book, Smith also shared a pep talk and practical wisdom for college students in 2025.

“You are not for everyone, and your work doesn’t need to be,” Smith advised. “Don’t try to be everything to everyone.”

“It’s okay if some people don’t like or understand what you create—that doesn’t make it bad,” Smith explained. “It just means they’re not your ideal reader. Someone else will come along who is.”

As for practical advice, Smith kept it simple: “Please hydrate, please rest, and please take care of yourself.”

Audience listening to Smith read poetry during Thornton event

Photo Credit: University of Lynchburg

Beyond personal and creative advice, Smith also addressed the role of art in confronting societal issues and enacting meaningful change. She acknowledged the difficulties of the present moment but emphasized that hardship has always existed, affecting different people in different ways.

“At this time in our history, it’s hard, but 10 years ago was hard, and 15 years ago it was hard, and 100 years ago was hard, and 1,000 years ago was hard,” Smith said. “And I don’t think that we’ve ever had a time in history that wasn’t harrowing for someone. If it wasn’t harrowing for you, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t a harrowing time. It means probably that you were protected by enough privilege at that particular moment that they weren’t coming for you.”

This sentiment was further reflected during her reading of “Tender Age,” her poem referencing child detention centers at the U.S. Southern Border. 

In the poem, Smith contrasts the warmth and security of childhood and a parent’s embrace with the heartbreaking reality of children being taken from their families at the border, directly pushing readers to confront the real-life consequences of immigration policies. 

Through her poetry, Smith sheds light on marginalized communities’ struggles and artists’ responsibility to bear witness to injustice, emphasizing that art is more than just creative expression—it’s a powerful tool for awareness, healing, and social change.

As she closed her book and looked out at the audience, Smith left them with a final reflection on the power of art:

“Art isn’t extra; it’s part of the framework of our world. It’s how civilizations heal. It’s how civilizations express themselves.”

The reading served as a testament to that very idea. Through poetry, Smith not only shared her personal experiences but also challenged the audience to consider art as both a form of self-expression and a force for change.

To learn more about Maggie Smith, go to: https://maggiesmithpoet.com/To learn more about the Thornton Endowment and the next Thornton Reading, go to: https://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/english/thornton/