On Feb. 3, the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing reopened the newly renovated President's Cottage, built in 1907, as the Piper Writers House. Community leaders, university supporters and literary luminaries were on hand to celebrate the occasion, and Alberto Rios, Regents' professor of English, read the following poem, which he composed in honor of the house's reemergence as a campus gathering place.

Gathering House
By Alberto Rios

Not magic, not uncommon strength,
But simple understanding:
All of us as one of us, writing once more
The next, most necessary word.

Who has gathered and who shall gather yet,
Who stands in this place and reads these words now:
Welcome and always welcome.

Where writers have gathered
A house is made, and made
Better for words well-thought, well-said,

For greens and grays, for words of ready tender,
Written in fair and full and fine exchange
For what life has made of us.

Know that you are not alone.
Writers barter with the world — but for themselves
They make this common compact with each other:

I have thought of you. I have remembered you.
You are my story as we are yours. So welcome yet again.
Stand in your turn where we all have stood.

This is the gathering house we have made together,
Full with us, and more with you now,
A house with room enough,

Centuries with time enough,
To remember each of you, coming and going,
Gifts every one.

To provide feedback on this article, click here.

Top photo: Opening ceremonies at the Writers House.
Middle: An interior view.
Bottom: Alberto Rios reads a poem.

University news
Campbell named to new university CFO post
Parsing the parrot
Death, Sacrifice and Mystery
University Scientists
ASU Foundation welcomes Ira A. Jackson
ASU honors nine at Founders' Day
President's Club celebrates 20th anniversary