AFTER more than three decades of thrilling poetry lovers from all walks of life, poetess Vernette Dorian has taken her one-person show on the road — literally.She began writing poetry at age nine and in 1975 published her first work entitled Words Add New Meaning to Life by Dorian Darrell.

Vernette has performed in many of the island's churches, prisons, rest homes and also enjoyed a stint with Streetfest. Normally a solo performer, Vernette performed with the late Leon Edmead and his then assistant Ms Carol Clarke. Ms Dorian has also performed in a couple of schools and received favourable feedback from the students.

Among some of her memorable achievements was a year-long column that ran in the now defunct Bermuda Times from 1993-1994 called The Poetry Corner. In January 2000 she started a weekly 15-minute radio programme called Radio Poetry on 1230 ZFB with Marlene B. Landy and Fred Hassell.

Before Concerts in the Park became a household name, Vernette was a one-woman show with Poetry in the Park in the Botanical Gardens for two summers in and outside of the J.J. Gutteridge Building.

Ms Dorian prefers to do live poetry as she finds it more effective. Known for her interactive segments, Ms Dorian has an interesting collection of props, namely a Bible, vase/flower, a telephone, boombox, tapes/CDs, a newspaper, a steering wheel, a mirror and a mailbox.

"My latest project is going to the nursing homes and last year I started by visiting Westmeath and worked my way around the island. I have visited 13 nursing homes and the last one I visited was Pembroke Nursing Home. I go in and I entertain them for a half hour to an hour depending upon the attention span of the residents."

Ms Dorian sometimes does four performances in a weekend.

"There is no end to what I want to do to entertain the public, I love it! she exclaimed.

While not formally trained, Ms Dorian is eloquent in her speech and projects her voice effectively.

"I am easily inspired and sometimes I will take one or two words from a TV programme and write a poem around that. But right now, I am interested in getting my show on the road sharing my poetry. This is a different slant on the talent on the island. I feel poetry reading should be part of our community events.

"I am appreciative when people love what I do and my intention is to share what I love. I hope my poems will motivate, uplift, inspire and give food for thought regardless of age or gender. I even have something for the tourists to appreciate."

Ms Dorian expressed her gratitude to the staff at the Bermuda College who allowed her the use of the North Hall every other Thursday from 6.30-9 p.m. and would like to invite other poets to share their works.

"This isn't about me. I want to bring in other talents.

"During my show if anyone has anything to share I will make time for him or her to come up and share his or her poems," Ms Dorian explained.

Her long-term goal is seeing poetry reading having a higher profile in the island rather than being relegated in small pockets throughout the community. "Hopefully, by me getting on the road and entertaining, which is a good idea, people can ride by or come by with their blankets and just sit off and enjoy listening to poetry. I wish it were available at the time when I could have been able to relax and enjoy a poetry reading. But since no one has done it I have decided to step up to the plate and do it myself.

Anyone interesting in hearing Ms Dorian's work can call 293-6269 and leave a message or e-mail her at vdorian@logic.bm.