The featured poet
arrived a little late
then discussed
the publisher of his book
ad nauseam
before he started reading
he decided to go
to the bathroom
when he came back
he commented
about the first poem
he was going to read
as he did
before each poem
he was going to read
followed by a post commentary
on each poem he read
followed by
in between poem pitter-patter
about himself
his wife
his childhood
until I knew
what Terry Schaivo
felt like
being brain dead
and why
she wanted
to be
euthanized
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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perfect description...
...of pain! "Just get to the poetry, we don't care how many kittens your cat had (personal thoughts from a similar experiance)!" I really liked the way your poem was layed out in short lines which really moved the poem down the page. I think it contributed to the pace of the poem; just like you wanted the guy to get to the end of his mindless and inconsiderate dribble, I wanted to continue to the end of your poem (but in a good way,I wanted to follow it to the end). Captured and pulled me along. Thanks and great job.
Subira -
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hey subira
thanks for commenting, glad it was easy for you to get to the finish. i think poetry should be painless. (to the reader)
dave
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lol
Sounds like a character. Not the type I would want around but a character none the less. Well expressed! =D
. Rewarded 4
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Hey Hank
You ought to post this to him and say,"Stick this in the pipe you dont have and smoke it".
Great stuff as usual.. Rewarded 4
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hey rhet
hey "tick this in the pipe you don't have" is the first poem i posted on this site, you dug deep, and any comparison to Hank is much appreciated.
dave
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A little low on vitriol?
Hey Professor. This is tricky ground. Most poets resent other poets at some level, especially when they're fighting for mike-time! Your obvious dislike for this guy seems to somehow embroil you in a dispute you can't be impartial or objective about and I found myself stepping back a bit and wondering might this not just be sour grapes at some level. Which is not to say I think it is, just that you didn't make me feel partisan enough here to really enjoy it. You should have gone after him with a bit more vitriol. I didn't feel you'd 'nailed him' as I have no doubt he deserved to be or that you're capable of.
I don't go to many 'open mikes' but the last time I did, some guy got up and very slowly and emphatically read the lyrics of a popular Irish ballad - verbatim- before launching into 'Waltzing Matilda' (the long version, spoken not sung) I feel it's downright rude to abuse people's politeness like that and also to run miles over time. I heckled him down (much to the embarrassment of most people there, particularly my wife). Poetry shouldn't only be about freedom of speech - sometimes it should involve freedom FROM speech. >W<
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hey john
i think your comment has some-partial truths. in this case the issue wasnt' time or lack of, but at another reading where he was the main reader, when i was getting my crappy five minutes in the open mike or rather when i was about to read he got a call on his cell phone, and he acted like it was ok, he was fine chatting while i read. this indicates to me he thought he was so good, he could talk while i was reading, so as i tried to indicate in the poem, he's full of himself, extra-vitriol on my part could have made it i was jealous of his work which isnt' the case but no matter.
as for you putting the kabash on waltzing matilda had i been there i'd of lauded you as hero luarette.
dave
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The meaning of the title eludes me...
unless it's the name of the wonderful poet you describe. The poem itself however is quite clear. As I believe I've told you I've never been to a reading. However I think one should be at least on time for even unimportant events. Let alone if you are the main attraction as such. Perhaps his head was so big he had trouble dressing? I would tend to think a poetry reading should be about poetry not the other frivolous types of things you've mentioned he carried on about. Quick question. Do you mind if I take ten or fifteen minutes here to tell you about the next poem I want you to read? Ofcourse it will only take three or four minutes for you to read for yourself. I'm starting to be glad I've never attended a reading before. At least out here if a poet doesn't catch or hold my interest I can quietly slip out without being noticed.
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hey dave
I've never been to a poetry reading or any meetings like that, but you explained it pretty well and I can easily paint a picture in my mind of this scenario. And I'm sure as gG pointed out that he was snorting coke, I wouldn't think a pompous person would get nervous at such a meeting, so I doubt he actually used the restroom. thanks for sharing and I enjoyed it as usual, wish there was more to read though as noted before me, but like ya said time's a factor and priorities change. Keep on trucking LoL
TTYL
MM
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hey marcus
thanks for commenting. i forgot to tell gG the guy didn't snort coke and just needed to use the restroom but it was a foreshadowing. a featured reader should be on time, in fact early, like you note, "times a factor" and to be late wastes others time. so there was late already then launches into some bullshit about his publisher of his tiny little chapbook, like he's John Grishom, and then he decides to use the rest-room. hopefully the muse will lead me to some longer pieces, altough longer doesn't always mean better.
dave
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Poetic Self-Love...
...can be a terrible thing to experience! This, you have fully convinced me of Dave! Not that I get out so much but last time I was in Brighton I went to what was in effect my first poetry meet. The host was a hairy bloke dressed in drag (something to do with Valentines Day - that s Brighton for you). There were two published poets present who read some of their work which was fine, but in the ensuing discussion anyone with more than one query (well, me) was effectively muted and the "discourse" ended up as a praise-wank of these two poets - unedifying and unenlightening to say the least.
Bummer. But your encounter with the coke snorting (why he went to the bathroom?) egomaniac sounds more excruciating, mate.
Would it have been impolite to get up and leave?
Another thoughtful piece in tune with our times. Just curious but what would an epic-a-la-Ochs be like? Have you written any short stories, Dave? You have so many ideas and sometimes when I read your work I feel a bit disappointed that they end so soon.
In contrast to the self-obsessed moron you depict here, I for one, would enjoy more of you and your humourous "ochservations".
Cheers
gG
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hey gG
great hearing from you. sounds like poetry readings in Brighton are just like here in the US, dysfunctional affairs, rooted in ego. Why did the poets did the long Q and A, for the strokes?
In my case i co-host a poetry reading and this same guy read for us several years ago, where when it was my turn in the open reading (traditionally after the feature, where anyone can read for 5 minutes) he got on his cell phone. i wouldn't start reading until he quit talking. i didnt' want to have him back but my co-host thinks he's good, but he's not that good. anyway its pretty typical, i've been going to readings for years and usually the feature reads for a half hour and puts everyone to sleep, then they split after they read and so do th friends and family they've packed the audience with. so when you get your five minutes of fame you read to a sea of empty seats. i've made a rule anyway feature that stays for the duration of the reading, i buy their book, if they have one.
since becoming domesticated, moving in with my fiance and the birth of daughter has put a crimp in my writing, i can't write as long or at the level i did when all i had was myself to worry about. my pieces are shorter and more superficial but i'll plug along.
i do have some short stories, see Cold Feet at Story Write and tell me what you think.
dave
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