http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2007/03/dont-be-boring-please/ Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:40:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2007/03/dont-be-boring-please/#comment-109 David Grefrath Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:17:53 +0000 http://pf/harriet/?p=83#comment-109 Dig Miss Smith, Thank you for the splendid words. I've also found it interesting the qualitative difference between poets who are fantastic on the page, and not so fab on the stage. It may be a heresee to say, but I love Wallace Stevens too much to have it pass for such; I think WS sometimes sounds like a ghost walking through his poems. And his poems are envigorating and lively, often playful. But you're definitely right on with letting the poem take yourself and the audience someplace new. Its great to be on that kind of all expenses paid trip, even if that leads to shocking or surprising destinations. listen. listen. listen. Dig Miss Smith,
Thank you for the splendid words. I’ve also found it interesting the qualitative difference between poets who are fantastic on the page, and not so fab on the stage. It may be a heresee to say, but I love Wallace Stevens too much to have it pass for such; I think WS sometimes sounds like a ghost walking through his poems. And his poems are envigorating and lively, often playful.
But you’re definitely right on with letting the poem take yourself and the audience someplace new. Its great to be on that kind of all expenses paid trip, even if that leads to shocking or surprising destinations. listen. listen. listen.
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]]> http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2007/03/dont-be-boring-please/#comment-108 Josh Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:14:06 +0000 http://pf/harriet/?p=83#comment-108 Amen, Ms. Smith! I'm the husband of a poet and have been to scores of readings I would not otherwise have attended. Accomplished writers are frequently not inspiring readers. Your advice list is great--I'm particularly pleased with your item regarding poem choice. I offer two additional pet peeves as an experienced audience member: Pet Peeve #1. I can't stand when a reader asks her audience if she has time to read another poem. Does she really think a consensus will float upward from the audience? Will an audience foreman step forward with an enveloped answer? What would it mean for an audience to scream back, "NO! NO MORE, PLEASE!" And doesn't the silent response really mean, "no"? Usually I'm hunched down in my seat hoping the reader will be told to stop but some maverick narcissist best-friend-of-the-poet who thinks he represents the entire audience always pipes up with, yes, yes more, please. Make a decision about what you're reading and just do it, for god's sake. Practice reading your poems, time yourself, and if you've decided to read for 4 minutes more than your allotted time, be confident enough in your own work to just do it. Pet Peeve # 2. "Can you hear me?" I've been to readings where poets have interrupted their own poems with that question SEVERAL times. Once you've started reading, it's too late to start interviewing the audience. If you're concerned about volume -- speak louder. Again, the idea that a consensus will rise from the audience is painfully annoying to me. There's almost always someone who can't hear. Read loudly. Don't survey row-by-row looking for the perfect decibel level. I feel better just writing these things down --. Amen, Ms. Smith! I’m the husband of a poet and have been to scores of readings I would not otherwise have attended. Accomplished writers are frequently not inspiring readers. Your advice list is great–I’m particularly pleased with your item regarding poem choice.
I offer two additional pet peeves as an experienced audience member:
Pet Peeve #1. I can’t stand when a reader asks her audience if she has time to read another poem. Does she really think a consensus will float upward from the audience? Will an audience foreman step forward with an enveloped answer? What would it mean for an audience to scream back, “NO! NO MORE, PLEASE!” And doesn’t the silent response really mean, “no”? Usually I’m hunched down in my seat hoping the reader will be told to stop but some maverick narcissist best-friend-of-the-poet who thinks he represents the entire audience always pipes up with, yes, yes more, please. Make a decision about what you’re reading and just do it, for god’s sake. Practice reading your poems, time yourself, and if you’ve decided to read for 4 minutes more than your allotted time, be confident enough in your own work to just do it.
Pet Peeve # 2. “Can you hear me?” I’ve been to readings where poets have interrupted their own poems with that question SEVERAL times. Once you’ve started reading, it’s too late to start interviewing the audience. If you’re concerned about volume — speak louder. Again, the idea that a consensus will rise from the audience is painfully annoying to me. There’s almost always someone who can’t hear. Read loudly. Don’t survey row-by-row looking for the perfect decibel level.
I feel better just writing these things down –.
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