Comments on: Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:31:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Josh Olsen http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-157 Josh Olsen Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:00:06 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-157 Revive? I doubt it. If anything, I think it creates an even greater divide between those interested in poetry and those who couldn't give a sh*t. And does it really matter if someone does or doesn't have the ability to paraphrase if no ones listens? If there's not an active audience? To be completely honest, you (David) are the only one I've heard/read who has any positive thing to say about this poem. I mean, its great that Alexander was given the opportuntiy to showcase her art on a global scale, but it was a poor representative of the art, itself. My high school guidance counselor had more inspirational poetry hanging on his office walls. Revive? I doubt it. If anything, I think it creates an even greater divide between those interested in poetry and those who couldn’t give a sh*t. And does it really matter if someone does or doesn’t have the ability to paraphrase if no ones listens? If there’s not an active audience? To be completely honest, you (David) are the only one I’ve heard/read who has any positive thing to say about this poem. I mean, its great that Alexander was given the opportuntiy to showcase her art on a global scale, but it was a poor representative of the art, itself. My high school guidance counselor had more inspirational poetry hanging on his office walls.

]]> By: David Blaine http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-156 David Blaine Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:26:00 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-156 Thanks for your amplification. Regardless of whether or not the woman is educated (When did that become a negative thing?) the poem itself didn't need interpretation for those of us who haven't been to a university. Yes, this deviates from what was once thought of as "high poetry" where if the masses could paraphrase it, you had failed. And as I stated before, if you are so jaded that you are beyond hope, I'm sure it does nothing for you. The poet teaches at Yale and has had five books published, all by small or university presses. Her present publisher, Graywolf Press, is preparing it's largest run ever, 100,000 soft cover copies of this poem in a 32 page, $8 pressing. Perhaps it will revive an interest in poetry outside the usual inbred circle of other poets. Thanks for your amplification. Regardless of whether or not the woman is educated (When did that become a negative thing?) the poem itself didn’t need interpretation for those of us who haven’t been to a university. Yes, this deviates from what was once thought of as “high poetry” where if the masses could paraphrase it, you had failed. And as I stated before, if you are so jaded that you are beyond hope, I’m sure it does nothing for you.

The poet teaches at Yale and has had five books published, all by small or university presses. Her present publisher, Graywolf Press, is preparing it’s largest run ever, 100,000 soft cover copies of this poem in a 32 page, $8 pressing.

Perhaps it will revive an interest in poetry outside the usual inbred circle of other poets.

]]> By: Josh Olsen http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-155 Josh Olsen Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:08:41 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-155 I was referring mostly to the reading, which was horrible. Her choppy, artificial delivery was painful. Never again, will poetry ever be given an audience like this, and it was a true sleeper. And that's a real shame! Because the majority of the people there, as well as watching, will not take the time to sit down and read what she wrote. And upon reading this poem, its not nearly as bad as it originally sounded. In my opinion, Obama should have asked someone like Nikki Giovanni or Lucile Clifton, someone who can inspire with both words and voices. But I recall hearing that Alexander went to Harvard, too, so I'm guessing she is prob'ly a friend of Obama's. And as far as this not being academic? I would have to completely disagree. This is a Harvard educated woman, and a professor at a University (though I cannot remember which), and I'm sure she has multiple publications/books under her belt. If nothing else, this read to me as a piece of academic writing. Boring. I was referring mostly to the reading, which was horrible. Her choppy, artificial delivery was painful. Never again, will poetry ever be given an audience like this, and it was a true sleeper. And that’s a real shame! Because the majority of the people there, as well as watching, will not take the time to sit down and read what she wrote. And upon reading this poem, its not nearly as bad as it originally sounded. In my opinion, Obama should have asked someone like Nikki Giovanni or Lucile Clifton, someone who can inspire with both words and voices. But I recall hearing that Alexander went to Harvard, too, so I’m guessing she is prob’ly a friend of Obama’s. And as far as this not being academic? I would have to completely disagree. This is a Harvard educated woman, and a professor at a University (though I cannot remember which), and I’m sure she has multiple publications/books under her belt. If nothing else, this read to me as a piece of academic writing. Boring.

]]> By: David Blaine http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-152 David Blaine Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:15:08 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-152 Thanks, Dan. I would have to agree with you completely on the delivery. I would hope that many people who didn't hear Alexander read will themselves read her poem in print. I find that many, many skilled and celebrated poets do a poor job of reading. Perhaps Elizabeth should have visited the website of (NEA funded) Poetry Out Loud. Thanks, Dan. I would have to agree with you completely on the delivery. I would hope that many people who didn’t hear Alexander read will themselves read her poem in print.

I find that many, many skilled and celebrated poets do a poor job of reading. Perhaps Elizabeth should have visited the website of (NEA funded) Poetry Out Loud.

]]> By: Dan F http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-151 Dan F Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:07:49 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-151 David, I agree that the poem was well crafted in concrete terms with symbolism that was available to almost all readers. In fact, reading it now, I still find it For me, it was the verbal delivery that was rather unanimated. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Alexander's voice was very tonally limited on the PA system, for whatever reason, and forced the poem into a projected monotone, in which the line "Flight 410... to Houston... is now departing... from Terminal B. Please report... to Gate 24... in Terminal B." would not have seemed out of place. Ignoring the critics from the papers, it appears in normal blogs and other mentions that popular opinion is also that the poem fell flat, and I suspect that may be why. Or maybe the fact that it was so prosy in the opinion of some critics, made the verbal delivery too complex to be done in two word echoed bursts over the loudspeakers. David, I agree that the poem was well crafted in concrete terms with symbolism that was available to almost all readers. In fact, reading it now, I still find it

For me, it was the verbal delivery that was rather unanimated. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Alexander’s voice was very tonally limited on the PA system, for whatever reason, and forced the poem into a projected monotone, in which the line “Flight 410… to Houston… is now departing… from Terminal B. Please report… to Gate 24… in Terminal B.” would not have seemed out of place.

Ignoring the critics from the papers, it appears in normal blogs and other mentions that popular opinion is also that the poem fell flat, and I suspect that may be why. Or maybe the fact that it was so prosy in the opinion of some critics, made the verbal delivery too complex to be done in two word echoed bursts over the loudspeakers.

]]> By: David Blaine http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-150 David Blaine Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:36:38 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-150 First of all, I am the admin who posted this. I respect the opinions of Josh and ashabot, I only wish they had amplified their remarks so I might understand why they see Alexander's poem as tepid and lame. The poem was written for a specific purpose. I did wonder, if we have a national poet laureate, why that poet wasn't asked to appear and read. But it was Barack Obama's inauguration, and this is who he picked. The poem wasn't just for Barack, it was for the country. It is written in concrete terms so that everyone can understand it. This isn't intended to be some academic screed that needs interpretation for the laity. But the poem is crafted with subtly. Lines like "...take out your pencils, begin." and "We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone..." carry both obvious and symbolic meanings. The poem is written for people who hope, the majority of the people in this country, who voted for Obama. Many people who did not vote for him are also sharing that hope. This poem is a verbal embodiment of the love that casts the same light it speaks of. If you are one of the relative few who are so jaded that all hope escapes you, then I suppose this piece will not move you. You will remain where you are as others of us walk forward into that light. First of all, I am the admin who posted this. I respect the opinions of Josh and ashabot, I only wish they had amplified their remarks so I might understand why they see Alexander’s poem as tepid and lame.

The poem was written for a specific purpose. I did wonder, if we have a national poet laureate, why that poet wasn’t asked to appear and read. But it was Barack Obama’s inauguration, and this is who he picked.

The poem wasn’t just for Barack, it was for the country. It is written in concrete terms so that everyone can understand it. This isn’t intended to be some academic screed that needs interpretation for the laity.

But the poem is crafted with subtly. Lines like “…take out your pencils, begin.” and
“We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone…” carry both obvious and symbolic meanings.

The poem is written for people who hope, the majority of the people in this country, who voted for Obama. Many people who did not vote for him are also sharing that hope.

This poem is a verbal embodiment of the love that casts the same light it speaks of.

If you are one of the relative few who are so jaded that all hope escapes you, then I suppose this piece will not move you. You will remain where you are as others of us walk forward into that light.

]]> By: Josh Olsen http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-147 Josh Olsen Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:41:05 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-147 This was definitely the lamest part of the day. This was definitely the lamest part of the day.

]]> By: Grace Andreacchi http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-141 Grace Andreacchi Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:02:58 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-141 INAUGURAL HAIKU What if I just don’t want to Fear is good for you * INAUGURAL HAIKU

What if I just
don’t want to

Fear is
good for you

*

]]> By: ashabot http://www.outsiderwriters.org/archives/743/comment-page-1#comment-138 ashabot Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:51:04 +0000 http://www.outsiderwriters.org/?p=743#comment-138 Tepid. Tepid.

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