Yeah, I thought it blew chunks. The delivery was so stereotypical--and such a shame, since her poem is comprised of such simple, common words, clearly on purpose. The best way to let us savor that kind of thing would be to read it normally, like Billy Collins, and let _us_ interpret their impact. When I heard her read it, I thought, "She's out of her league here. She's wondering where the poetry slam is."
Despite that, there are many wonderful turns of phrase in the poem. I found the whole idea of it--"Say it plain: that many have died for this day" so stirring. And most of the poem evokes that theme in the most quotidian ways, with a great Every(wo)man feel, reminding me of Whitman.
But "What if the mightiest word is love"--BLOOOUEAAAGGHH.... Crazy Uncle Walt is turning in his grave....
(Pastor Shit-eating-grin from the Saddlebacking Church was also out of his league, although in a different way. Aw, but I should stop....)
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-02-08 12:43 am (UTC)Despite that, there are many wonderful turns of phrase in the poem. I found the whole idea of it--"Say it plain: that many have died for this day" so stirring. And most of the poem evokes that theme in the most quotidian ways, with a great Every(wo)man feel, reminding me of Whitman.
But "What if the mightiest word is love"--BLOOOUEAAAGGHH.... Crazy Uncle Walt is turning in his grave....
(Pastor Shit-eating-grin from the Saddlebacking Church was also out of his league, although in a different way. Aw, but I should stop....)