Poetry News

Healing Haiti with poetry

In the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, Dr. Aurora Francois, a Haitian-American educator, began writing poetry as a way of coping with grief. She has now compiled a book of poems and a companion CD entitled A Beloved Daughter of Haiti. A portion of the proceeds from the book will go toward organizations involved in the relief effort.

Read more in the South Florida Times:

The theme of the book and CD is “Hope inspires in any language,” Francois said. The messages in the music and poetry would help bring healing to her native land.

Samples of three of the CD tracks can be heard on Francois’ website: We Shall Rise Again, The Optimist Child and A Special Prayer for Helping Hands.

Francois is the first Haitian-American principal in Palm Beach County, which, she said, was an asset in relating to the 300 children of Haitian descent – a third of the student population of her school, Barton Elementary, 1700 Barton Rd., Lake Worth.

She wrote poetry that was inspirational, lyrics from the soul that embody a sense of hope that a new Haiti would emerge. In all she composed 13 poems and melodies in 12 days after the earthquake.

09.04.10 PERMALINK

Poetry News

Ginsberg’s quadruple espresso

The New York Observer notes that there are 9—yes, 9!—Starbucks within a mile of Ginsberg’s old digs in the East Village (now on the market for $1,700 a month).  Whether to lament the loss of social consciousness in the rapidly gentrifying Village or rejoice at the ease of getting a coffee fix is a personal choice. James Franco loves the ‘Bucks, after all. Just don’t forget Ginsberg’s legacy while sipping that soy sugar-free whatever.

From the Observer:

But the ubiquity of such a commercial chain doesn’t exactly create fertile breeding ground for the “radical political consciousness” that Bruni was already mourning. Regardless, whomever moves into this historic apartment may or may not be able to name you five poems by the previous tenant, but they will absolutely be able to sate their every yearning for a latte. Future inhabitants, when you do buy that grande Frappuccino a block down from this landmark of American letters, pay some respect. Pour a little out for Ginsberg . . .

09.03.10 PERMALINK

Poetry News

Read Eliot. It’s the law.

The Careerist, a blog for lawyers, suggests various tips for summer’s end: Don’t bring your Blackberry to the beach. Have some lobster. And read some poetry. The blogger suggests, in particular, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” which she calls “startlingly beautiful,” and summarizes as follows:

In a nutshell, it’s the musings of a middle-aged man who’s trapped in an inglorious life. I think T.S. Eliot might have written it with a lawyer in mind.

And perhaps he wrote it with the end of summer in mind, too:

I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

Or the end of everything:

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

Happy Labor Day, lawyers!

09.03.10 PERMALINK