tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671173237313877340.post8195208210742011649..comments2012-08-23T18:02:28.159-07:00Comments on eharrington poetry blog: What Kind of Poet are You -- Page or Stage?Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185443960528546633noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671173237313877340.post-75802128083557880872011-08-22T14:08:15.509-07:002011-08-22T14:08:15.509-07:00Hi, Larry. Thanks for your comments! You're ...Hi, Larry. Thanks for your comments! You're right that there are performance poetry artists I didn't mention. The history of performance poetry, including the origins of the oral tradition and the contributions of Cid Corman, who coined the term "oral poetry" Hedwig Gorski, who is the first so-called "performance poet" (writing poems solely for performance) and Alan Ginsberg and the "beats" among others. As far as venues in which performance poetry is currently performed, slams and open mikes are in the mix, but I didn't say they were the only venue. I just cited them as examples. I realize people feel strongly about the two sides; I was hoping to show that they needn't be in competition with each other -- they're just different from each other. Both, in good ways. Again, thanks for your interest.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11185443960528546633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671173237313877340.post-90546161201274076982011-08-22T13:22:19.401-07:002011-08-22T13:22:19.401-07:00Hi Elizabeth: I'm basically a performance poet...Hi Elizabeth: I'm basically a performance poet but I do have a book out that's selling pretty well. I do take some acception to your comments that Performance Poetry is limited to open mics and Slams. Their have been many professional poets through the years who have done quite well with performance work examples include: Walt Whitman,Henry Miller,Cicero and Tupac Shikur. "Reverend" Otis of the world renowned Watts Prophets Performance Poetry Troupe once told me a way to describe the difference between the two camps. He said " Page poets write on paper. Performance poets write on the hearts of their listeners." Performance Poets have long been looked down on by their "page based brothers" and are often considered less than they as a cultural vehicle. Yet if you ask someone how they make a living and they answer"my poetry", odds are good that their probably a performance poet. Thanks for sharing your opinions and allowing me to give mine. "Laughing" Larry Bergerlaughinglhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06767086528535553399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671173237313877340.post-61761997120115100572011-08-22T07:45:39.159-07:002011-08-22T07:45:39.159-07:00Hi, Larry. Thanks for your comments -- interestin...Hi, Larry. Thanks for your comments -- interesting as usual! I agree that any type of writing, poetry or expositive, can improve when the writer reads it aloud. And I like the connection you make between poetry and deeply moving monologue.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11185443960528546633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671173237313877340.post-46219406870575912052011-08-21T14:12:15.107-07:002011-08-21T14:12:15.107-07:00Betsy - had no idea there was that much difference...Betsy - had no idea there was that much difference between the two types of poets, nor, particularly, that there might be any sort of friction between written and performed. Very enlightening.<br /><br />I've not written poetry in quite some years, but have always, when I did, read it aloud first, both to myself and then to my partner or a very close friend. In fact, I even make a practice of reading my articles aloud, as what one has wrtten may LOOK great, but sound bloody wretched.<br /><br />One of the many things I've always enjoyed about one-man or one-person dramatic presentations is that, if done right, one feels rather like the actor has recited poetry to you, albeit of a rough variety, perhaps. Am thinking here of one-man shows I've seen of Oscar Wilde, John Barrymore (by Christopher Plummer, I believe), Junius Brutus Booth.<br /><br />Even, in a way, Glenn Close's monologue as Sunny von Bulow, telling her side of life with Claus (played by Jeremy Irons) while in a comma and in her hospital bed. "Reversal of Fortune was the film." Likewise, many of Derek Jacobi's monologues during the "I, Claudius" series strike me now as almost performance poetry.<br /><br />As a little, slightly perverse addition, I'm closing out with one of my all-time little favorite written poems by Hilaire Belloc. Title is "The Modern Traveler." Dug it up & used it for an article in Suite 101 that concerned the Maxim, Gatling & Nordenfelt guns (all rapid-fire) & how they changed the whole landscape of war:<br /><br />Blood thought he knew the native mind;<br />He said you must be firm, but kind.<br />A mutiny resulted.<br />I shall never forget the way<br />That Blood stood upon this awful day<br />Preserved us all from death.<br />He stood upon a little mound<br />Cast his lethargic eyes around,<br />And said beneath his breath:<br />'Whatever happens, we have got<br />The Maxim Gun, and they have not."<br /><br /><br />"The Modern Traveler" by Hilaire Belloc <br />Best, Larry Slater (wonderful blog entry btw)Rupprechthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273620550160310843noreply@blogger.com