What would happen to poetry if there were no poetry readings in Canada — or even just Toronto — for an entire year? Yes, there'd be far fewer poets by the end of it, but what would happen to poetry itself in the ascribed region?
poetry would still be written and the people we call poets would still exist, not because they read publically, but because they write privately.they are compelled to write. must write. not for fame or fortune (ha!), but because that's what they do.
readings are best as celebrations of sound and word, not as opportunity to promote and flog.
would the poetry become more introspective, less bombastic, less slam, less spoken, less musical, more intuitive, more thoughtful, less flippant, more serious, more humourous, less ego?
doubtful.
i wrote poetry for myself (and a handful of friends) for over 30 years before i had a public reading. but now, i admit, i don't write for a reading per se, but if i'm asked to make an appearance, i try to make any poem i've written come alive when it's spoken. some poets confuse that with all kinds of negative terms, but i feel it's the duty of every poet to attempt, if not a performance, at least an interesting/compelling public reading. afterall, when a poem is read aloud, it becomes sound/music/vibration.
in the reading of a poem, the poet is responsible for more than the words. they are the caretaker/presenter of the vibration. it's a challenge and a duty. it requires an ear and needs to be practiced.
of course, i'm probably full of hot air and cheap baloney, and as bill would say, i have no knowledge.
To a larger extent I think poetry readings are attended by poets or wanna be poets, so it wouldn't likely make a difference to anyone but the poet. Maybe poets could meet in kitchens then, and they could call the meetings dinner, and discuss everything but poetry, and then go home and write about it. And maybe there'd be something new to discuss.
poetry would still be written and the people we call poets would still exist, not because they read publically, but because they write privately.they are compelled to write. must write. not for fame or fortune (ha!), but because that's what they do.
ReplyDeletereadings are best as celebrations of sound and word, not as opportunity to promote and flog.
would the poetry become more introspective, less bombastic, less slam, less spoken, less musical, more intuitive, more thoughtful, less flippant, more serious, more humourous, less ego?
doubtful.
i wrote poetry for myself (and a handful of friends) for over 30 years before i had a public reading. but now, i admit, i don't write for a reading per se, but if i'm asked to make an appearance, i try to make any poem i've written come alive when it's spoken. some poets confuse that with all kinds of negative terms, but i feel it's the duty of every poet to attempt, if not a performance, at least an interesting/compelling public reading. afterall, when a poem is read aloud, it becomes sound/music/vibration.
in the reading of a poem, the poet is responsible for more than the words. they are the caretaker/presenter of the vibration. it's a challenge and a duty. it requires an ear and needs to be practiced.
of course, i'm probably full of hot air and cheap baloney, and as bill would say, i have no knowledge.
maybe people would buy more books
ReplyDeletep.s. secret word verification code: oapuro
oh a pure oh buy more books ohm silencia
To a larger extent I think poetry readings are attended by poets or wanna be poets, so it wouldn't likely make a difference to anyone but the poet. Maybe poets could meet in kitchens then, and they could call the meetings dinner, and discuss everything but poetry, and then go home and write about it. And maybe there'd be something new to discuss.
ReplyDeletew