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Re: It can be very special, Lion. Thinking back on dry lectures and
sermons I've heard, I remember how they always improved if the speaker said "That reminds of a time when I was young ..." We love to be told a story, however dull!
posted by
2902
on February 14, 2012 at 4:05 AM
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Re:I agree, Jay. Face-to-face is so much better (sometimes
it would help to know whether he/she was smiling or snarling as he/she wrote it!). You'd lose a lot just hearing someone like e.e. cummings and not seeing his stuff dance across the page, but most stuff isn't like that - it could have secrets and half-tones that won't come out until it's read, things even the writer never expected. If a slammer's delivery is flat, I close my eyes and listen for the magic, but a lot of them have an energetic or dramatic or in-your-face delivery that can be exciting. Or annoying.
posted by
2902
on February 14, 2012 at 3:57 AM
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Re: I plan to, thanks! The next one is this Saturday.
posted by
2902
on February 14, 2012 at 3:38 AM
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I think you have a point there... the spoken word is something special
posted by
lionreign
on February 14, 2012 at 3:16 AM
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This is so true, and don't you think poetry even more powerful when read aloud? I read text messages, but I refuse to answer in print...I give them a call. I think this is one of your best works Bob, you ought to read it one night when your on the stage.
posted by
UtahJay
on February 13, 2012 at 11:47 PM
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Bravo! You should got do some slamming.....
posted by
Troosha
on February 13, 2012 at 8:34 PM
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Re: You have convinced me here and for sure, when someone reads poetry
What a great way of putting it!
posted by
2902
on February 13, 2012 at 6:37 PM
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You have convinced me here and for sure, when someone reads poetry
it comes alive, images dance with each other.
posted by
Kabu
on February 13, 2012 at 6:24 PM
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Re: O God, Rhonda! I prize my memories of those days! Bongos and berets,
and listeners tokin' and sayin' Oh Wow as each set finishes. A nd here I only found out last week that Crosby, Stills and Nash's Suite Judy Blue Eyes was named for Judy Collins. Shoulda known. Duh!
posted by
2902
on February 13, 2012 at 3:12 PM
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Re: You're right, Marissa. I often close my eyes to concentrate more when
I hear a sermon, poem, or scripture reading I want to concentrate on.
posted by
2902
on February 13, 2012 at 10:32 AM
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Listening can be more of a challenge, but more entertaining at times.
posted by
mariss9
on February 13, 2012 at 9:50 AM
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Re: Thanks, CC. I'm not sure what elements make up my style
(I suspect one of them might be a love of one-syllable words), but I'm working on it'.
posted by
2902
on February 13, 2012 at 9:15 AM
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Re: You're so right! I listened to a recording of Yeats reading Lake Isle
of Innisfree. He sounded like he was barking!
posted by
2902
on February 13, 2012 at 9:02 AM
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Re: It's neat, but don't get discouraged if you don't score big, at least
at first. The judges are anyone in the audience that volunteers or agrees. I've been in four but only placed once - the first time. You get to meet folks who are nice - and pretty supportive. It's cool listening to poetry as you nurse along a Coors or coffee.
posted by
2902
on February 13, 2012 at 8:59 AM
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You got a style improve on it Bob ,but be orignal that's quality.
posted by
C_C_T
on February 13, 2012 at 8:53 AM
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Re: What can I say but Amen?
Funny, but the guy who won the last one delivered his stuff in a monotone and I couldhardly hear him! The exception proves the rule, I guess.
i
posted by
2902
on February 13, 2012 at 8:48 AM
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Sweet memories, 2902. Those lovin' '60's when we'd spend candle-lit evenings in the 'gallandors' (translated to hippie talk that's a glorified woodshed!), listening to aspiring poets read their work..sometimes accompanied by a background guitar.... Love your observation that 'Listeners know they can't go back......'
posted by
adnohr
on February 13, 2012 at 8:06 AM
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I like hearing how a poet reads their work too! And, I have poetry books that have CDs with them of the great poets reading their poems! It is very interesting how they perceive how the poem should be read, some are whimsical while others are very adamant! sam 
posted by
sam444
on February 13, 2012 at 7:34 AM
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i havent been to a poetry slam yet ....that's on my bucket list.....
posted by
Annicita
on February 13, 2012 at 7:02 AM
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Bob
Today’s young black “rappers” sing or kind of recite the words to the “rap” songs. But I bet Homer (before Athens’ burning now) and Carl Sandburg could beat them with “the spoken word” as they call rap music sir. BC-A, Bill’s R®st
posted by
BC-A
on February 13, 2012 at 5:25 AM
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What can I say but Amen?
Nothing like hearing it spoken by the poet in the right setting. 
Write on.
posted by
Pat_B
on February 13, 2012 at 5:01 AM
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