Hi

Good to hear back, Deborah

> When I threw the question out I didn't expect a discussion about what
> 'Spoken Word' is.

It *is a discussion list. Not everything gets discussed; it is unpredictable.

When your first post arrived, I was pushed for time in the extreme and I
skipped it because of the subject line. That's a dangerous course; I
nearly skipped a post that turned out to be inviting me to be published
the other day.

But I did it.

When I saw the subject line recurring, I had a look; and then worried at
what was being said in my head... until yesterday, I think

I haven't had an opportunity to listen to the link you provided; and
cannot do so at present as I am in a library without my headphones. I'll
try to listen tomorrow

I am all for not worrying what things are called; but we hit a problem if
we use a current term and someone responds. Better to say what one means
in the other words, surely

If you had headed your post _poetry performed from memory_ then I might
well have read the post.

However, let's start from what you have said: _poetry that is written with
the intention of being performed by the author and then being performed by
the author_

Well, that is a great amount of the poetry that is written. There are
those who do not want their poetry read aloud or who do not want to read
it themselves; but the bulk of poetry fits your definition.

[Within that there is also an element of improvisation, intentional and
otherwise, which is more widespread than is sometimes realised]

If that definition is the definition of _spoken word_ or, to go back to
your first title _Spoken Word and Live Literature_, then I am all for it.
That's what I do. That's what a great many people here do.

So the question is, surely, what constitutes quality in literature -- or
poetry? and poetry? just _literature?_

On the other hand, you have used the term; and if you mean something
narrower than that then it ought to be clarified before you go on;
otherwise we don't know what you mean and therefore what you are asking
and may give inappropriate answers.

I realise this may all be answered in the broadcast I have not played.
It's just that I doubt it and am, perhaps arrogantly, proceeding from that
assumtion. I find the term usually to be as intangible and slippery as
_big society_ -- and I do not mean to offend by saying that, merely to
express my frustration.

That's why I am alarmed by your having used as term only to say it does
not matter what term is used.

I had been going to add a bit a propos Doug's post and improv and non
semantic and my response; but I'll hold that for a while

Best


L