English professor's poetry focuses on everyday things

There's no complex formula to her poetry. It's all about observing the world and taking note of the small things around you.

Dr. Lisa Hammond, an English professor at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster, recently had a book of her poetry, "Moving Houses," published.

She has written poetry most of her life, but this is the first time she's had a collection of her work published.

Colleagues and others in the community got a chance to buy a copy and hear some of Hammond's selections during a book signing and reading Tuesday evening at USCL's Carole Ray Dowling Center.

The title of the book comes from her experience while teaching at Michigan State University.

In Michigan, when a family moves, a common phrase is to say, "We're moving house."

"I thought it sounded so interesting," Hammond said.

The poems touch on everyday life at home in South Carolina. The title of the book is a metaphor to reflect on all the other aspects of life that are ever changing.

The book, which contains about 25 poems, was published by Texas Review Press.

"In my writing, what I try to do is look at everyday things, because it's in those things I find real interests," she said. "When you look at the world, you'll see the poetry that's in it."

Hammond, who's originally from Florence, has been at USCL since 1998. She holds a doctorate in English from the University of Alabama.

Hammond loves her position at USCL because it affords her the opportunity to grow professionally and artistically through her poetry. She has written more than 100 poems since "Moving Houses" and is preparing to create another book.

Her work has appeared in the Southern Poetry Review, the South Carolina Review and the North Carolina Literary Review.

"She takes the small things and brings them to life," said Dr. Bruce Nims, a fellow English professor at USCL.

"She's a discovering person. She discovers the world and brings us in on that process," Nims said.

Contact Jesef Williams

at 283-1152 or

jwilliams@thelancasternews.com