Andrew, thanks! I feel the same way about actors emoting at us in that
ever-so-precious way. It's deadly for poetry.
We had the opposite experience a couple of days ago, at dinner with a man
who'd been kissed by Akhmatova when he was a child. Even better, he recited
whole Mayakovsky poems, in Russian! And in the crazy intense Russian reading
style. It really felt like a visitation, absolutely eerie. Took off the tops
of our heads, and then some.
He shook slightly, with passion, so yes I'll take any amount of imperfection
over smooth patter. It's just harder to listen to when the imperfections are
one's own.
Thanks again,
Rachel
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Poetryetc: poetry and poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf
> Of andrew burke
> Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 7:48 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Rachel Loden aloud!
>
> Rachel, the stumbles make you human - the vulnerability of a performer on
> stage is part of the attraction of live readings. (It is what we often
miss
> who live in isolated places.) I've been to a number of readings recently
and
> enjoyed the most sincere over the most polished. One humble man reading
> tanka and haiku and a mature Downs syndrome gent gave me a greater
emotional
> lift than the actor-turned poet who read with a good deal of showmanship
and
> style. Granted, I heard her every word where I missed some of the others,
> but the word-for-word content was never as important as the credibility of
> the poet, standing there, vulnerable and so human.
>
> But I did like your reading, mainly because it *wasn't edited.
>
> Andrew
>
> 2009/9/28 Rachel Loden <[log in to unmask]>
>
> > Hey, thanks so much for that, Doug. For some reason I can't bear to
listen
> > to it yet, although I enjoyed the hell out of reading with Rae.
> >
> > Will eventually have to go back and see if I can learn from my stumbles
(or
> > take courage from the good stuff).
> >
> > If you enjoyed it, though, that means the world to me.
> >
> > Rachel
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Poetryetc: poetry and poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On
> > Behalf
> > > Of Douglas Barbour
> > > Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 9:04 AM
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: Rachel Loden aloud!
> > >
> > > and at length:
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
http://hammer.ucla.edu/watchlisten/watchlisten/show_id/155847/show_type/audi
> >
>
o?browse=<http://hammer.ucla.edu/watchlisten/watchlisten/show_id/155847/show
_type/au
> di%0Ao?browse=>
> > > none&category=0&search=
> > >
> > > you'll need some time, but it sounds great....
> > >
> > > Doug
> > > Douglas Barbour
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > >
> > > http://www.ualberta.ca/~dbarbour/
<http://www.ualberta.ca/%7Edbarbour/>
> > >
> > > Latest books:
> > > Continuations (with Sheila E Murphy)
> > > http://www.uap.ualberta.ca/UAP.asp?LID=41&bookID=664
> > > Wednesdays'
> > >
> >
> >
http://abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-from-aboveground-press_10.h
> > tml<http://abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-from-aboveground-
> press_10.h%0Atml>
> > >
> > > The poet's only responsibility is to write fresh lines.
> > > Charles Olson
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Andrew
> http://hispirits.blogspot.com/
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