I've been to some fantastic poetry readings. But they're like theatre -
they're capable of producing the most gigantic boredom known to humankind.
(I remember that satire of Juvenal's about how the most boring poet always
has the longest scroll - some things never change...) I don't think that
it's a coincidence that the best readings I've been to have generally had a
significant component of actual audience, ie people there to hear poetry
rather than simply read it. But the thing is, you can never tell until
you're there.
As for me reading, I used to find it terrifying. I well remember the first
time I ever read a poem out in public, when I was about 17 - I made the
mistake of holding a single sheet of paper, and everyone's eyes were
transfixed on it, as it shook like a leaf in a high wind - but now I
actually really love doing them. Maybe I figured out that there really are
frightening things out there, and reading poetry isn't one of them. Or
maybe it was the long years of reading stories out loud to children.
Whatever, suddenly I wasn't frightened any more.
Best
A
On 6/3/05 2:30 PM, "Mairead Byrne" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Thanks Alison.
>
> The poetry reading is beginning to strike me as a very strange art form.
> For years I didn't enjoy them but I went anyway. Then I heard Alan
> Dugan. Now I'm interested but mostly more to see the behavior/approach
> of the poet. Generally I can't really follow/hear the poetry that well.
> It's a very strange art form: the poet is almost a sacred relic of the
> poetry. That's the only excuse. Mercifully it's short. Also: the
> poetry audience is unusual in that it's very heavy on poets, sometimes
> exclusively
> so. Sometimes readings give me time to think. Yet I love doing them
> myself. Still I think they're hard enough to enjoy. I'm actually quite
> afraid of the audience when I'm attending a reading, but not when I'm
> reading myself.
>
> Mairead
Alison Croggon
Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
Editor, Masthead: http://masthead.net.au
Home page: http://alisoncroggon.com
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