Students and teachers both participated in the annual March tradition at ULM last Tuesday.

There were a total of ten people that read poetry, and a total of 11 poems read. The tradition titled the “Ides of March” is an annual poetry reading in remembrance of Professor H.P Jones.

The title comes from the day that Julius Caesar was killed.

It was made popular by Shakespeare in his play “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.”

The event is not always held on the Ides of March due to it falling on weekends or other situations. However, the event is always held around that time.

Jones began the poetry reading in the late 60’s early 70’s.

Jeffrey Anderson, associate professor of History, said he’s unsure if anyone can actually pinpoint the exact year it began.

Jones retired but continued to hold the event each year. Several years after his retirement he passed away, at which point his daughter and other ULM professors took on the responsibility of holding the event.

Anderson said the event is very important to the campus of ULM. He also said it’s not only a matter of tradition but it also gives students the chance to gather around one another and express themselves through poetry.

The poem authors ranged from Maya Angelou to Robert Douglas. Some even read poems that they wrote themselves.

Students were very interested in the event. Some even walked up after it began to find out what was going on, and stayed till the end.

Brittany Almaroad said she really enjoyed all of the poems read, and that all the speakers did really well. Her favorite was “Phenomenal Woman.”

“It’s not a poem just for black women but all woman. It is inspirational and picks you up when you have a bad day,” said Almaroad, a freshman pre-nursing major.

She said she feels like all students and herself can relate to poetry in different ways.

She said she will come again next year and that other students should come as well.

Decorations were used to give the event a more unique feel. There was a stuffed hog’s head tied to the tree.

There were also Viking hats and a desk.

Professor Anderson said there usually is a suit of armor as well, but it was in bad condition.