Forget Obama, What did you think of the Poem?

SherryTex · Jan 20, 2009

I mean, we're a community of writers right?

Well, I sat and I listened. And I'm thinking...we could come up with better pieces using a Flash Fiction forum for the Inaugural Poem.

Maybe I was just feeling off today and not very poetic. But I remember feeling the same way the last time I watched a poet read after the President took the oath.

So Poets, I issue a request. A Humble Request. Post your best if You got to give the Poem to sum up the Spirit and essence of the moment, what you think you would do.

There once was a woman from....

whistlelock · Jan 20, 2009

I thought her delivery was too flat, too acedemic really. I believe that poetry should be read with passion and emotion.

but, since she was a teacher and in front of the nation, you fall back on what you know. I cannot say that I could read with passion on the national stage.

MaryMumsy · Jan 20, 2009

I'm not well read in poetry, but I was far more impressed with Maya Angelou at Clinton's inauguration in 1993.

MM

Christine N. · Jan 20, 2009

Yeah, it didn't grab me at all. There are many other poems that are more suited for the emotional moment such as this was.

angelgirl · Jan 20, 2009

I was a little disappointed - I didn't even listen to the entire thing.

I'm with MaryMumsy regarding Maya Angelou. She is such a powerful reader, poet, and speaker.

writerterri · Jan 20, 2009

Is that what that was? OMGosh!

I turned it. I couldn't get through it.

I just can't get excited about this day in history. And I didn't vote for him.

Plot Device · Jan 20, 2009

It was very uninspiring.

William Haskins · Jan 20, 2009

MaryMumsy said:
I'm not well read in poetry, but I was far more impressed with Maya Angelou at Clinton's inauguration in 1993.

MM

cause and effect writ large.

Stew21 · Jan 20, 2009

discussion in the poetry forum as well. (with link to the poem)

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128202

robeiae · Jan 20, 2009

Wait a minute...

There's a poetry forum?!?

Jcomp · Jan 20, 2009

I agree with the assessment in the other thread that the poem reads better than it was read...

rhymegirl · Jan 20, 2009

I wasn't impressed with the poem.

And the way she enunciated every single word sounded like someone reading a story to children very carefully so they would get it.

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Jan 20, 2009

Thank goodness... it wasn't just me.

Snowstorm · Jan 20, 2009

Or me. I tried to get into the spirit of it, and didn't care for it.

Stew21 · Jan 20, 2009

I felt like she aimed for low-hanging fruit in the actual poem, and the reading of it was less than passionate, making it worse. Just my take. I imagine to write a poem for such a national event would be a very big challenge, and one may be intimidated to make it accessible to all, and still crafted in a poignant and artistic way. I think she psyched herself out of doing her best.

TerzaRima · Jan 20, 2009

Yes. Imagine being tasked with the writing of that poem. But I failed to keep a straight face while she was reading, because I kept thinking about David Alan Grier and this.

climbs into handbasket

sheadakota · Jan 20, 2009

Wait a minute- that was a poem? woa- I thought it was a boring speech-

smoothseas · Jan 20, 2009

MaryMumsy said:
I'm not well read in poetry, but I was far more impressed with Maya Angelou at Clinton's inauguration in 1993.

MM

Yeah. Moi, aussi. This one was rather... meh.

*gpddaughter, who's reading over my shoulder as I type, said it was sophmoric*

robeiae · Jan 20, 2009

rhymegirl said:
And the way she enunciated every single word sounded like someone reading a story to children very carefully so they would get it.

That was okay. Let's remember who her audience was...

poetinahat · Jan 20, 2009

Haven't seen it yet -- recorded the inauguration last night (it started at 11PM our time) and hope to watch it tonight.

That a poet is even part of the show is pretty neat; poets have outlasted even powdered wigs. How 'bout that.

robeiae said:
Wait a minute...

There's a poetry forum?!?

Peasant.

William Haskins · Jan 20, 2009

poetinahat said:
That a poet is even part of the show is pretty neat; poets have outlasted even powdered wigs. How 'bout that.

i agree in principal, but i also feel that the trite crap featured at mainstream public events probably turns more people off to poetry than would be the case if they just left it alone.

kennedy had robert frost. this today was new age, empty, didactic crap.

poetinahat · Jan 20, 2009

When I watch, I've no doubt I'll agree. Bad poetry, and poetry badly read, are poor advertisements for the genre.

William Haskins · Jan 20, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa5GVBQYsxg

robeiae · Jan 20, 2009

In Washington did Obama Khan
A perfect future-home decree :
With Cash and Care, for everyman
Through flawless government plan
.........And his parting of the sea...

William Haskins · Jan 20, 2009

i see you've brought out the opium.

Forget Obama, What did you think of the Poem?

Working on 2nd WIP

Whiskey Rebel

the original blond bombshell

haz a shiny new book cover

It's a dorky day!

A woman said to write like a man.

poet

Touch and go

It's a New Year!

Hand? What hand?

Baby plot bunneh sniffs out a clue

Absinthe O'Malice

part of the human equation

Life sucks... Then ya die...

Touch and go

say it loud

poet

say it loud

poet

Touch and go

poet