Hi Sally,

Out of performer survival I've had to learn quite a few performance  
tricks including some of  the comic ones which are part of the  
repertoire and there's nothing wrong with them in their time and  
place.  I agree, poets in slam often stay at that level and having  
learned how to please a crowd don't grow beyond that point. But  
'poetry theatre' is another thing. I seek that ascendent performance  
in myself and others where the poem is celebrated and the performer is  
just its momentary vehicle of transcendence. That's rare stuff - as  
rare as the writing of good poems.

Yes, I guess the middle ground is the place of balance essences and a  
tricky place to place one's feet. Still, it's worth trying for. Don't  
you think? :-)

Cheers

Chris

On Aug 29, 2008, at 1:29 AM, Sally Evans wrote:

> yes, but in some places "Slam" poetry groups can be a bit mixed up  
> with stand-up comedy just as some page poets can be dusty and stand- 
> offish. I agree you want to aim for the place on the middle, where  
> good poetry is well performed. But that makes it all sound easy,  
> doesnt it?
> Sally Evans
> http://www.poetryscotland.co.uk
> http://groups.msn.com/desktopsallye
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Mooney" <[log in to unmask] 
> >
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 6:25 PM
> Subject: Re: Question? and performance poetry
>
>
>> Hi Mairi,
>>
>> Question: why didn't you enjoy your 'several years in performance  
>> poetry'? The culture of both scenes may be different and there are   
>> good examples and poor examples in both categories. The act of  
>> good  oral delivery is an ancient and classical art and one we just  
>> getting  back in touch with.  I am for Poetry in many forms. I  
>> think  unfortunately there is a lot of  false distinction between  
>> poems on  the page and on the stage. I am for Homer and Shakespeare  
>> the Slam  Poets of history. :-)
>>
>> In my experience (I earn my living teaching writing and also poetry  
>> performance technique)  they are totally complimentary. I love the   
>> thrill of hearing a poem performed with style and clarity and feel  
>> let  down when I hear a poet read their often tremendous poem  
>> poorly. I  think, "why did you bother to stand here and make us  
>> endure your lack  of presentation practice.  If you haven't put  
>> some time into learning  to read or deliver well, please don't get  
>> on the stage and waste our  time - just pass us the book. " I find  
>> today that most 'page poets'  critical of 'slam' and other  
>> performance genres have not trained  themselves to present their  
>> valuable words well enough to be heard in  public.
>>
>> Likewise, I feel saddened that you left the poetry performance  
>> scene  with regret.  Why? What happened? I think the truth of the  
>> matter is  finding your voice and presenting your own work with  
>> truth and  integrity - whether it be a haiku, sonnet, ghazal or  
>> some fast-mouthed  rap or ode to lemonade or rubber chickens.   
>> There are so many kinds of  poetry and ways of presenting them.
>>
>> Just some thoughts....
>>
>> Warm regards
>>
>> Chris Mooney-Singh
>>
>>
>>
>> On Aug 28, 2008, at 11:05 AM, Mairi Campbell-Jack wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all
>>>
>>> I'm new the The Works.  I spent several years in performance   
>>> poetry.  In the end I didn't really enjoy it.  So at the moment  
>>> I'm  trying to get to grips with page poetry - and realising just  
>>> how  inadequite my English teaching was at school!
>>>
>>> So as I struggle away with trochees and feminine ending etc I just  
>>> wanted to introduce myself by asking a question...
>>>
>>> What, in everyone's opinion, makes a poem great?
>>>
>>> Looking forward to your replies.
>>>
>>> Mairi
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
>>
>> Christopher Mooney
>> [log in to unmask]

Christopher Mooney
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