Professor, poet inspires Vernon youth

VERNON — Students in Creative Writing at Vernon Township High School were recently treated to a visit from Jean Leblanc, an assistant English professor at Sussex County Community College, as well as a professional and published poet.
Professor Leblanc taught the young poets a lesson on literal vs. figurative language. Here she demonstrates with natural objects – shells, leaves and fossils – instructing the students to describe them using literal language first, then in figurative language. Students created poems and shared them with the class.
Ms. Leblanc’s most recent book of poetry, A Field Guide to the Spirits (Aqueduct Press, 2015) continues her trend of reflecting the natural world, art, and history to discover and rediscover the meaning of life. Her books are available at Broad Street Books in Branchville, Black Dog Books in Newton, as well as on Amazon.com. This year she will be editing an anthology of works by local poets.
Her blog, recently focusing on Homer’s The Odyssey, can be found at jeanleblancpoetry.blogspot.com.