[stylist] How to Read a Poem

[Lynda Lambert]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I recently promised a young poet I woud read a couple of his poems. He 
wanted feedback. I read them each about a dozen times. I spent several days 
just reading his poems. and, then I began to explicate the poem - one part 
at a time, pecking away at it, beginning to grasp what he was doing and 
where he might be going in the poem. Only then did I begin to write my 
comments to him. After all of this, I had a number of questions for him to 
think about, things I was thinking about, too. And, then we discussed them 
more. It is really good to be able to work with someone and work through a 
poem together and I was priviledged to do this with the poet.

Lynda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <KajunCutie926 at aol.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: [stylist] How to Read a Poem


> YES! YES! YES!  I was given this advice years  ago.  Every piece of poetry
> I write is read aloud before I ever share it  with anyone, anywhere.  As 
> my
> poetry mentor told me "If it doesn't sound  right to you, then it likely
> will not sound or read right for anyone  else".  I have also learned that
> metered or syllabic poetry, unless done as  an assignment, can be 
> manipulated a
> bit.  I have written many metered poems  that read as though they were
> written in pentameter, as an example, but may have  a line or two with one 
> more or
> less syllable.  Shakespeare did that from  time to time as well.  The
> English language can be a strange bird at times  and I have becoming 
> willing to
> let the lyrical flow of words take the lead  instead of strict adherence 
> to
> the rules of the form.
> Reading poetry is not always easy, I will admit, and  yes, sometimes it is
> hard work, but when you find that gem that moves you, opens  your heart, 
> and
> touches your soul it all becomes worth it.
>
> Myrna
>
>
> In a message dated 2/21/2012 9:53:21 A.M. Central Standard Time,
> llambert at zoominternet.net writes:
>
> For the  poetry lovers here on the list.
>
> I jsut came acress this - a poem is  made to be read aloud. If it is not
> read aloud, then it is not complete. This  is a good article on how to 
> read a
> poem out loud.
>
> There are a number of  really good books on how to READ A POEM. I have
> quite a few in my library and  used them in taching my poetry courses at 
> the
> college. Reading a poem is a  complex task.  But, it is a worthwhile 
> activity.
> It  is like  reaching the summit of the mountain after climbing it for
> hours.  It is a  JOB to read a poem - requires lots of WORK to get that 
> job done.
> It is a great  activity, to be alone in a room, with a poem.
>
> Lynda
>
>
> Lynda  Lambert
> 104 River Road
> Ellwood City, PA 16117
>
> 724 758  4979
>
> My Blog:  http://www.walkingbyinnervision.blogspot.com
> My  Website:   http://lyndalambert.com
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers  Division web site:
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.net 
> <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
> stylist mailing  list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To  unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/kajuncutie926%40aol.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site:
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.net <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet.net
>
>