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Thursday, 31 January 2008
Poetry Association Scotland AGM
Yesterday evening was the AGM of the Poetry Association of Scotland, held at the Scottish Poetry Library. As well as the usual business of an AGM there was wine and a chance to share poetry about cats. I am delighted that two blogging poets had allowed me to read their cat poems at the event. I read My Cat Answers the Question 'Why are You Standing in the Doorway?' by James Engelhardt and String Player by Steven Schroeder. Both poems were very much enjoyed by the group - thanks for letting me use them, James amd Steven! There was an excellent variety of poems read by the other members present, including Stevie Smith's poem The Galloping Cat and Wallace Stevens' poem A Rabbit As King of the Ghosts. It was a very entertaining evening and one member said as she left 'now I want to get a cat!'.
Cool bananas. Was their red wine and cheese? And I have one actual question. Do you think a poet should memorise and 'perform' the poem at a poetry reading or do you prefer a piece of paper and just standing reading? I'm all for the former but, well, you know me,
ReplyDeletehi gingatao - red wine, white wine and apple juice, snacks and chocolate cake... I think a poet should perform, definitely. Though when you're just sharing poems in an informal setting, reading is okay.
ReplyDeleteI would love to head along to a poetry ready / performance...I think in hearing words in someone else's voice (rather than in my own when read from a page) just adds another dimension.
ReplyDeleteTracey
I would have wanted a rabbit!!!!
ReplyDeleteLiked Stevens' poem.
rabbit's guy - well yes, me too, specially after the Wallace poem!
ReplyDelete