On Tuesday evening in an intimate setting in Moore Hall, author Sheryl St. Germain shared stories of her life, and excerpts of her work.

Germain is an American poet who has published several works, the most popular including the book of essays, “Swamp Songs,” and her collection of new and collected poems, “Let It Be a Dark Roux.” In both of these works, Germain writes intimately of her native state of Louisiana, and her “embarrassing” family growing up.

At the reading, which also was a benefit for Haiti, she explained where some of her work originated. Growing up, Germain admits to being ashamed of her family, wanting nothing more but to get out of Louisiana and pursue schooling elsewhere. With a father who was an alcoholic and a brother who was a junkie, Germain escaped through writing.

She admitted that the hardest poem she has ever written was her poem titled “Addiction,” a work in which she describes her brother’s addiction, that later resulted in his death. Germain said that her work reformed itself when she began to leave her fears behind and write about the truth.

“Truth is a difficult thing,” Germain said. “It changed my work when I wasn’t afraid to tell the truth about my past and my family.”

She explained that it was refreshing to admit that she has struggled through her life. “Nobody’s going to like you if you’re a perfect person,” Germain said.

Her mother is her toughest critic. She recalled a time when her mother called her after reading one of her essays, claiming, “Sheryl, you make it seem like we were poor!” Germain stated that she replied with simply “Mother, we were poor.”

After hearing Germain recall the journey of her life, it makes appreciating her work that much simpler. Her poems have a way of making readers feel as if she is talking only to them. This quality was brought out even more so when she read her own work.

Her poems and essays carry a sense of intimacy throughout that will make readers feel as though they grew up in Louisiana themselves.