Not really one of my favorites, actually. I mean, I liked it, but when I started thinking about Frost declaiming at an inauguration... everything else just seemed kinda pathetic. Then again, I'm a Frost fanatic so I guess that's my prejudice speaking ;)
The way she read it didn't help much either... kinda choppy, no?
Although I should be *learning* from these "amazing" modern poets, I can't help but stick my nose back into my handy book of Frost poems... *sigh*
I kind of agree with you, Emily Ruth. The first time I heard it, I thought she was giving a speech or something. I guess if you get used to it, then the style works out fine.
Thank you for posting this. It's good to be able to hear it again, see it. I do think that perhaps there's another way to read one's poems. I think that, at least, is something to be explored.
Language gives us so many chances to do things new, again.
i really like the poem, i think its strength is in its simplicity and accessibility. i prefer "seeing" poems rather than "hearing" them, maybe because i'm terrified of public speaking myself. kudos to elizabeth alexander for doing such a fine job of representing poetry in front of such a huge audience.
5 comments:
Not really one of my favorites, actually. I mean, I liked it, but when I started thinking about Frost declaiming at an inauguration... everything else just seemed kinda pathetic. Then again, I'm a Frost fanatic so I guess that's my prejudice speaking ;)
The way she read it didn't help much either... kinda choppy, no?
Although I should be *learning* from these "amazing" modern poets, I can't help but stick my nose back into my handy book of Frost poems... *sigh*
I kind of agree with you, Emily Ruth. The first time I heard it, I thought she was giving a speech or something. I guess if you get used to it, then the style works out fine.
I rather liked it. ;) It's how poetry is read; the poet-bloggers whose blogs I read seem to have enjoyed it. Or at least they said they did.
Thank you for posting this. It's good to be able to hear it again, see it. I do think that perhaps there's another way to read one's poems. I think that, at least, is something to be explored.
Language gives us so many chances to do things new, again.
i really like the poem, i think its strength is in its simplicity and accessibility. i prefer "seeing" poems rather than "hearing" them, maybe because i'm terrified of public speaking myself. kudos to elizabeth alexander for doing such a fine job of representing poetry in front of such a huge audience.
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