By Bri Griffith

Red Dog Reading Series is Carlow University’s undergraduate reading series. Red Dog features both university and community writers from Pittsburgh, as well as writers from all around the country, and sometimes out of the country.

The second Red Dog reading of the semester was Tuesday, September 20, 2016. The two featured readers were Carlow ’16 graduates Toni Murabito and Deidra Balchak. Murabito earned a BA in Communication for Advocacy, and Balchak earned a BA in Biology.

Deidra Balchak incorporates her scientific knowledge into her poetry. Her first poem of the night, “Regeneration,” was inspired by the formation, or regeneration, of new animal or plant tissue.

Toni Murabito’s work tends to focus on body image, mental health, and relationships. Murabito’s poem, “To Sisters with Brothers with Depression,” pushes the edge.

Red Dog readings are weekly—every Tuesday night from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Carlow University Commons, second floor university space. In addition to two featured readers, there’s always an open mic. portion. Bring your poems, and bring your friends.