Comments on DWx: Print poems v. Perf' po

O bother! I forgot the most important thing: VisPo...

2007-11-08T11:02:00.000-05:00

O bother! I forgot the most important thing: VisPo: the world of Visual Poetry. Visual Poetry MUST be seen. It is poetry made into artwork. See a few discriptions at a blog entry from students and faculty at Skidmore (http://www.imwds.blog-city.com/visual_poetry_exhibition_at_skidmore_college.htm). The best works were interactive.

I AM one of those poets who writes with sometimes ...

2007-11-07T17:21:00.000-05:00

I AM one of those poets who writes with sometimes Latin, sometimes Polish language in my poems. I also often use mythological references or dream metaphors in my work. These are by no means meant to throw the reader off track. I recognize, however, that it may take a reader several run-throughs or even a few googles or footnotes to absorb all they can from some of my poems. This is not to say that they can't get something on the first try. I just think that some of my poems are a lot to swallow at open mics, and nothing is more off-putting at these events than an explanation that's longer than the poem. Also, I have written poems in two voices (ex: a double sonnet) that is split on the page by some visual device. The sonnets may weave together in alternating lines, but one sonnet
may be aligned left, the other aligned right. Or one may be indented and set in italics. This is virtually impossible to convey while reading, unless read with someone else, which can be contrived. I enjoy giving the silent reader, who looks at the page, the option of reading the poems separately as two distinct poems or as one poem with the alternating lines commingling. Such an option cannot be given when read aloud, unless the poem is read twice. Ten years ago I favored writing lines of poetry without punctuation so that they could squint forward or back, thereby changing the meaning depending on the phrases they became. These were impossible to read aloud as they were intended. To read them was to pin them down; not my intention whatsoever. I think these visual "tricks" stem from my identity as an artist.

what an excellent blog Dan. your points are right...

2007-11-06T15:49:00.000-05:00

what an excellent blog Dan. your points are right on too. Especially about the performance poetry. I once saw a feature read a fifteen minute poem. A fifteen minute poem would be fantastic to sit down and read, but since a live audience cannot hear the poem again, the poem is far too long for comprehension. Poems that include words from alien languages (French, Latin) etc. are also problematic since the listener becomes distracted with not knowing the meaning, the poem becomes disconnected for them. I think the same goes for when a poet reads a poem with obscure references to greek mythology, history, what have you. I'll often question the author's motivation for reading such a poem.

I've never given any thought to your comments on people reading poetry from memory. I'm so impressed when someone can do that. I lose sight on whether the poem succeeds or not.

Certainly the "shit-burner" poem was very successful read by memory. But I see your point, especially with your previous reference if substance is sacrificed to maintain a rhyme.

Thanks again for a great blog Dan.

from Therese--Dan, you make some good points and s...

2007-11-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

from Therese--Dan, you make some good points and several intelligent distinctions. Thanks for your excellent blog.