I’d seen the kid at
the poetry reading before
he was ambitious
had his work
printed on a broadside
and handed them out
with his phone number
he asked for feedback
like he wanted you
to tell him of
his great potential genius
but they just
weren’t that good
this time before he read
he mentioned he’s written in form
taught to him by Dr. James Cushing
who teaches at the local university
the poor kid thought
Cushing is some kind of
mountain top poetry guru
and Cushing probably got
huge ego strokes
that the kid thought Cushing
could wave his magic wand
and turn him into the next Ginsberg
but the kids so star struck
he doesn’t realize
how lousy and unreadable
Cushing’s poems are
the kid read all serious
but no one paid attention
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
-
Good Poem
I like the underlying meaning, Really do feel sorry for the kid, not so much the professor lol...
-
hey dave
I liked it, Thought it was very original. Even for you. Which is something I didn't think could happen b/c everything you do is original and nicely written. I've never been to a poetry reading. Of my knowledge they don't have any of them around here, And if they did IDK if I'd be able to go up there and read anything of mine. Someday maybe, but I just don't have the confidence yet. LoL and I definitely don't wanna end up like this person or somebody that's up there fumbling their words, I think that would probably piss me off as much as somebody booing at me, But I'll never know till I give it a shot so...Till then. Thanks for sharing and I thought it was a good piece and I like the underlying message/lesson, even if it wasn't intentional there's obviously one there.
TTYL
MM
language: 3, rhythm: 4, subject: 4, tone: 4, form: 4.
-
-
hey marcus
thanks for commenting. i guarentee if you went to a reading you'd be in the upper echolon. its funny but usually they'll introduce the featured reader with a long impressive resume, of his publications, where he's taught and read and awards he's recieved and then you hear him and he puts you to sleep. so if you want to go to a reading your more than qualifyed.
dave
-
-
awesome poem. I would love to do a poetry reading thingy one day, just to see how people react to my stuff live, I have found that more recently what I have been writing would suit more performance styles, and when I write I tend to do so outloud, like a monologue I suppose. Anywho... great stuff
-
-
hey kep
i hope you can find some readings in your area, theres nothing like the immediate feedback you get, you can sense if people are paying attention or tune you out. and some styles are better suited for a live audience. of course you;ll come across phonies like the kid.
dave
-
-
alright dave. i hope the kid doesn't come across this (if there is a real exact person involved). to me, the kid represents everyone, even me. Because my community doesn't have those kind of meetings or readings, my mind hasn't been mutated. hopefully, it'll always stay that way. poor kid. poor Cushing!
-
-
hey grace
thanks for commenting, i've read your poems and believe me your not the kid.
dave
-
-
Hey Dave,
This stings. I was invited to one of those poetry groups and was asked to read my poem. While i waited for my turn, it occurred to me that i was in the wrong place. It wasn't the reading. There were 2 or 3 poets that had it right, the others were not just imitating styles, but lifestyles as well. Drunkard poet comes up the stage telling the world it took him weeks to come up with a line. Or someone who sings parts of the poem in another language and giving the audience a 10 minute background for a 3 minute poem.
Nothing is wrong about poetry readings or classes, its the pretentiousness that we sell ourselves to that can be a problem.
Nothing beats being authentic about ones poetry and always taking our poetic education with a grain of salt.
-iphios -
-
hey iphios
i guess the poetry readings on your side of the Atlantic are just as full of posers and as pretentious as ours. you have it exactly right about being authentic,its the same as with painting. theres very few paintings i don't like, even those by youngsters have a certain charm and essence. the only bad ones are the type they sell at shows that look mass produced.
dave
-
-
hey dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have seen just this type of thing happen.....even have CD's and glossy books for sale with awkwardly written verses but hey! a dream is a dream......... -
-
hey ld
nice to hear from you. Love the new pic.
dave
-
-
Hey dave
Poetry readings sound like awful places,from what i`ve read.What is good poetry anyway,i dont know,but i know whats lousy and unreadable i guess,unlike the kid.I see this poem as a criticism of the teaching system,not the professor or the kid,people should learn to find their own voice,otherwise you end up with the same old drivel over and over again.
fascinating poem,
bye. -
-
hey rhet.
most poetry readings are bad, but they shouldn't be. and your right the point is to find your own voice. by the way the professor has been elected the new local poet laureate, but that still doesn't make him good.
dave
-
-
mirror, mirror...
Dave,
i hope that's not me...
i've recently been reading my stuff at some local open mics. but i hope performing my poems makes me a better poet, not gives me a big head... likewise, i've been reading the poems of some of the professors at my university who are established in the poet community (well known and published, that is), and am about to take a second poetry class with them. i've been reading their work and i just hope i can see their weaknesses and not put them on a pedestal (which i don't). i guess that means being somewhat cocky, though...
this poem spoke to me in a slightly disturbing way, Dave. no one wants to be "that guy," and i don't think i am. hopefully poems such as yours prevent or put an end to such delusions.
thanks for the slap,
Pap
p.s.- in case you are curious, the two professors are Ai, and Lisa Lewis. Ai has published many books of poetry and i think you may like her blunt style and simplistic style. her subject matter can be hard to read sometimes.
-
-
hey pap
thanks for commenting, i don't think theres anything wrong with taking classes or going to readings. but I don't think one should assume they're teacher or some big name poet should be bowed down to. the point is to find your voice (if you haven't) not imitate. and don't take yourself too seriously, you know like a troubled youth carrying the weight of the world. anyway your not that guy.
dave
-
-
In the detail
Hey Professor. Life is always in the detail and you have cruelly sharp eye for it. The phone number on the handouts (and your take on it) just nails the subject (in more ways than one) here. Any aspiring poet who reads this one should shudder just a little. Brrrrrr! >W< -
-
thanks W
the Brrrr is aimed at any prententious look at me i'm so deep and i'm a prodigy studying under the auspices of Sir Poet Know A Lot who is developing my creative genius so pay close attention to me, type of blowhard.
dave
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 17 of 17
