Poetry Conversations
One sticking point that emerged during our conversations behind-the-scenes at the Next Chapter was the question of poetry. Shelagh's longtime fans will know that she reads books of poetry all the time, and is a big supporter of modern Canadian poets.
That makes Shelagh a rather odd character, statistically speaking, since the Canadians who read a book of poetry last year are outnumbered by the Canadians who believe Elvis Presley is still alive. Statistics regarding such small groups are very hard to get right... but from the reports I've seen, it looks like poetry-readers make up about 1 percent of the population. Compare that to book-readers overall: they make up about 66 percent of us.
Now, people indulge in plenty of odd little habits, but poetry-reading stands apart because it's so out-of-keeping with the history and prestige of being a poet. We have huge poetry awards like the Griffin Prize and the Governor-General's Award. And yet, most so-called bookish people (and I self-identify this way) avoid the stuff completely.
So, at the end of episode one, Shelagh and I begin a conversation about poems. She's a fan. I'm not -- or, at least, I haven't been up till now. We don't yet know where this conversation will lead, but we expect to revisit it in upcoming shows, and want to include thoughts from listeners. Do you read poetry? Do you aspire to read poems but never get around to it? Does enjoying song lyrics count as being a poetry fan (in which case, poetry isn't such a weird cult after all)? Is the project of becoming a poetry-reader worth the effort?
Anyway. We'd welcome your thoughts.
All the best,
Tom (one of Shelagh's little helpers)
Posted by The Next Chapter at 03:55 PM
Comments
(8)
Comments
I just recently conducted an interview with poet Douglas Lochhead that might be of interest:
www.sybertooth.ca/publishing/Lochhead_interview.htm
The author of over 30 books of poetry, Lochhead is poet laureate of the town of Sackville, New Brunswick, and has had a distinguished career. A finalist for the Governor-General's Award for Poetry, he has received the Carlo Betocchi Prize, the Alden Nowlan Award, along with a number of honorary degrees. There's also a video of Lochhead reading from his latest work at
www.sybertooth.ca/publishing/Lochhead_reading.htm
Posted by: Chris | October 1, 2008 11:57 PM
Poetry is the cry, the shout, the laughter of the soul.
It doesn't HAVE to rhyme although there is nothing wrong with rhymes.
I
have loved
and would again
with you.
Love me too.
Love me to.
Love me two.
A poem has as many meanings as it has reader/sayers.
I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.
Posted by: Daniel Robert Williamson | October 2, 2008 05:05 AM
Count me in as one of the 1% who read poetry. As for the other 99%, they are missing a depth and expression of life that I could not do without. A favourite book of mine is "How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry" by Edward Hirsch. It's all about a "message in a bottle". Discovery of self is the greatest adventure.
Posted by: Ward Lindsey | October 4, 2008 11:00 PM
Shelagh Rogers is an amazing broadcaster. Her style is timeless. She is one of the vital aspects of the CBC.
Posted by: Callum Haney | October 11, 2008 02:40 AM
feels so good to have shelagh sitting aside me on the couch once again ... would you please consider having ms armantrout join us on the couch, shelagh? i do know she is an american poet, yet she transcends invisible borders. i have read her poetry since undergraduate studies in mid / late 70's and know she has perhaps 70 or more published books of writing.
each of her poems i read takes me to all that is above, to all that is below.
again thank you kindly,
cynthia
26.10.08
Posted by: cynthia | October 26, 2008 07:19 AM
shelagh
relief for the planet the usa election.
i suggested these two poets for the inauguration :
there is a transition site so that all can participate in the land of promise.
wole soyinka
chinua achebe
cynthia
Posted by: cynthia | November 8, 2008 09:25 AM
Recently our 70 plus years of age neighbour who rides a one speed bicycle with no brakes, a fiddle strapped to her basket, brought us the idea that one person read poetry {lyrics} at the table at dinner time. This has been an awesome way of sharing of all ages all epochs, all cultures. When your family needs a bit of freshness, try this. Our newest venture is; reading over the course of a month, the translation by Seamus Heaney of 'Beowulf'.
Posted by: cynthia | November 22, 2008 06:17 AM
Apart from Rupert Brooke (!!!) and W.B. Yeats, I hated the forced memorization of poetry at school.
Now I read it.
Good to keep a book of poetry on the bedside table before you plunge into your novel. Read one poem, once, or twice, or thrice if you liked it especially. I also have taken out subs to about ten Canadian Literary Magazines. (Have to support the Arts as "government money" dried up a bit this year)The Antigonish Review and ROOM are two of my favourites, and they have a good variety of poems. IF you only go for award winners (Griffin , G.G.'s etc.)you might be missing a lot. (Do the judges only pick poets whose type of poetry they like???)In literary magazines you get a better selection.
Posted by: Angela Coid | April 20, 2010 04:46 AM