Tosh, Fiona. I am a published poet myself --but a poetry reader first of course, completely dependent on the stuff -- and would still never contemplate anything as scandalously nerdy as berating strangers with it. Nor would I stand still for eccentrics interrupting my business for a recital -- no, not even if it were the Song of Songs, friend.// The theory behind this program can't be faulted -- of course it would be nice if poetry had a bigger audience. But these sorts of publicity stunts are pointless and bound to fail; you cannot force the art on people (after selling a grand total of 900 books in 7 years, believe me, I know).// In my travels through Vancouver's small-press/underground lit world, I've noticed that a lot of modern writers have a touching, endearing, yet wholly misguided belief in the power of *advertising* to gain them an audience. This is a very 21st-century pathology, no? Even the radicals, professional transgressionists and practitioners of marginal arts are seriously invested in the power of promotion -- as though good PR and the magic of the "brand" were more important than good writing. Well, in a practical sense, of *course* advertising has more power than literature in the modern world. But this doesn't mean writers should be schooling themselves in this particular black art; even if we were good at it, we're likely just to embarass ourselves. I think this is particularly true for such highly-specialized creatures as poets. In any case we have more important things to do.// I'm not saying writers have to live a monastic life -- in fact, I mostly prefer poetry that comes from a worldly, sophisticated perspective. But the way people *experience* poetry tends to the solitary: it's the words on the page, a voice speaking to you and to you alone. The small number of serious poetry readers generally need to clear a little space for themselves, a little solitude -- RBMFC and I agree there -- but I would go even further and argue the art can't be fully enjoyed in public. Whether you're rushing to work or sitting in plastic chairs at Chapters when poetry is broadcast at you, you're not going to gain the full sense and force of the text till you can sit and think about it.//... OK, I've just deleted a mean comment about one of the proponents of this poetry-to-the-people stuff, something about her "buck teeth and virginal mien." (Not you, Fiona; I've read and liked some of your work; am unaware of your mien and/or dental work.) Now I'm going to pop down to the bookstore and see if there's anything new from Alice Burdick or Karen Solie. I'm going to buy some poetry and take it home and read it. And I won't be answering the phone, no, not even if the great Dennis Lee were on the other end with a new sonnet. Just get it printed and bound and in my hands, friend.

You know, it would be a lot more impressive if poets reading in public would read with passion and from memory. I remember in the 80s a local group who called themselves performance poets (not slammers) and they had me interested because they'd also studied acting, had great voices ... and memorized their work!

Forgot to add: the poetry was good too. Um, I think! ;-)

I think, Earnest C., That barring Dennis Lee From reading in public may quell The agitated minds Of people who find Poetry is something from hell.

But thanks to the festivals For providing these vestibules Where verses find favour with ease So tightly wrought words Can therefore be heard From Fiona and our Dennis Lees.

Fiona: I wish for you to randomly me approach me and recite your poooooiiiittttrrrreeeee :>) Lyle Neff. Is this you Earnest Canuck? Your commentary makes me dis-inclined hear your words may they be witty, deep, well crafted or whatever. Is what you say true? Perhaps Is what you say necessary? No Is what you say kind? No

On the question of being Lyle Neff, I have no comment: the fucker's got a bad reputation. As to whether rebutting the Web-posted thesis here is necessary, well, I could've got some work done or played with my kid... but the point of the Web is, when people speak you can answer. So I have disagreed with my fellow-soldier Lam here a bit, Mark. Kind? I'm sure neither neither Lam nor I would want politeness codes to obstruct the production of good literature. Is what I say true? You judge, Mr Johnston, if that's your real name. Real Barking Mad FC: you invite a friendly beating when you rhyme "vestibules" with "festivals." Poets, even Lee and Layton and Cohen, shouldn't be *banned* from reading, performing and promoting, of course. Don't you hope they have better things to do though? "Mark Mushet:" you don't fool me for a second, cheese boy. I hereby out you as being Jeff Wall. Nice on-line persona!

re Real Barking Dog reference to the 12 souls I drew to my poetry reading at the Vancouver library despite being backed with "the full resources of a national writers festival and the local library behind it." Just for the record: I would love to particpate in a national writers Festival. Never have. Even a local festival would be nice. Invitations welcome at Best wishes, Ricardo

Not Barking Dog: The REAL barking mad fox channel is what I meant. And invitations to participate on festivals (or is such modest self-promotion a no-no?)to

RS

Cheers, Ricardo!

I was thinking of the event at the Memorial Public Library in Calgary last ... summer? Thought it had Wordfest behind it. They seemed to be happening at the same time, or within shouting distance of each other anyway. Becky Scott was my contact there.

Hey, EC. I'm a fox. I only write doggeral.

It's alarming that someone posting on this site regards EC's comments as more truthful than desirable. What would be the preferable condition? What is the art's new guiding principle?

Hey Lyle, I've been accused of a lot of things on usenet (including being Ian King and a host of other real people who I'm not) but I haven't heard that one. P.S. Paragraph breaks will get you chicks! ;-)

Perhaps once you yourself have gauged the public's responsiveness to poetry in Moosejaw and St. Johns compared to Vancouver, you will have a valid sample upon which to base your hypothesis.

How does (private or public) poetry differ from (private or public) music with lyrics?

To wax poetically Free to wax poetic Way to be! Was once from away Yes that's me Find a way to write Right away Write away Why wait?

this is just to say Sitting at the computer hearing the word poetry Moves me it behooves me to say

"Guide to Verse Forms" at http://www.noggs.dsl.pipex.com/vf/ ~~~ "OEDILF: The Omnificent English Dictionary In Dictionary Form" at http://www-b.oedilf.com/db/Lim.php?

"The Pauline Johnson Archive" at http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/~pjohnson/home.html

http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/