Is it Real Poetry? Nikki Giovanni's speech
Cincinnatians responded differently to poet Nikki Giovanni's poem that she read at the dedication of the 'new' (read:tacky) Fountain Square downtown. I believe she has the right to say what she wants; however, it really was not the best place or time to call Blackwell (Repub running for OH governor) an SOB. As a graduate student years ago, I was a fan of Giovanni, and I've heard her speak many times. Much of her poetry is poetry, and I doubt that the 'powers that be' really knew anything about Giovanni or her poetry when they asked her to read a poem. It's sad but true that few people (except those who had a strong liberal arts education) have read much literature, and maybe not even one poem. However, that point aside, I felt a bit uncomfortable for a few reasons with Giovanni's presentation. Mary P. Brosmer had the best response I've read, thus far, in The Cincinnati Enquirer, 10-22-06.
We Deserve Real Poetry and Community By Mary Pierce Brosmer/Guest Columnist.
Mary, a woman I have always admired, is a Goddess! She said, very subtly and with finesse, the truth. The concern she has with Nikki's 'poem' is clearly one of language--the form and words of the poem that is not a poem.' Nikki delivered a speech, more or less. Her speech was more like a cadence. Whatever category you assign it to, the words are not poetic. I believe Mary feels that a poet would certainly choose better words in a more decidedly poetic form.
Here is also a BLOG that discusses the speech.
Labels: Politics
posted by Dr. C at
12:53 PM
4 Comments:
Not that great a poem, but it still could be called a poem. The "experts" can say what they want, but the definition of a poem is wide open. It has been continuously expanded over the years as new writers break in to new forms. A poem doesn't have to rhyme, it doesn't have to have a particualr metre or cadence, it doesn't have to a particualr shape or form or length or topic, it doesn't even have to make any sense. It doesn't have to create community or destroy it. It is just an expression of the poet's ideas. Since I don't live in Ohio right now I don't know about the politicians that are mentioned, but I do know about the places and the history. Her catalog seems pretty accurate, though I can not say it was a very moving poem and doubt if it will be recited for years to come.
By
Onca, at October 23, 2006 3:57 PM
I agree with this changing definition of a poem, however, there are criteria in place for assessing a poem. Are we to throw out such evaluation because it might be too intellectual? Too academic? By having evaulative terms in place, there can be a consensus of what makes a good poem.
By
Dr. C, at October 24, 2006 1:31 AM
I disagree with the need for evaluative terms to reach consensus on the quality of art. This only benefits the persons who traffic in art such as professors, art galleries, publishers, etc. There are all kinds of dreadful (to me)art that are consumed in mass quantities by the general public. Is it good or bad? I think so, but others don't. Why do they like it? They have a different set of evaluative criteria from me. As an educator, Dr. Cyn no doubt aspires to a higher level of artistic literacy in our society - a noble quest - yet her aspiration will not likely be realized beyond a small slice of society. The rest of the people will be reciting bawdy limericks and calling it good poetry.
By
Onca, at October 31, 2006 4:56 PM
So what has happened to intellectualism? That is what you are pointing a finger at. It used to be that The Ivory Tower was reserved for intellectuals (even "Renaissance men"- a cozier term) but no more. Universities exist to get students a job that pays well. The Humanities? What's that? A lit prof told me the other day that a student wrote on an evaluation that it was the first time -in this class -she had read an entire book. She was a sophomore. The prof said, think what people are missing who don't engage with books. To discuss evaluative terms for poetry is not worth the discussion because it's enough to just get a student (or just everyday Joe) to even read anything, let alone a poem.
By
Dr. C, at November 02, 2006 4:49 PM
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