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Author of Lake Effect
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Poets House & Bill Murray
| Posted on May 4, 2010 at 4:08 PM |
:cool:You have to watch this short video clip about the construction of the beautiful new Poets House at 10 River Terrace in New York City.
Actor/comedian Bill Murray reads a few poems to some of the construction workers and jokes around in between. He even manages to elicit applause after reading "I Dwell in Possibility" by Emily Dickinson.
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5 Comments
"So, here's a question for you poets: might this whole event be called "performance poetry?"
[/Christina]
I think Bill Murray was just trying to read a few poems and entertain a captive audience. I wouldn't call it performance poetry. The construction workers obviously wanted to be there (taking photos and videos with their cell phones) until Bill asked them to step forward and share their own poetry. Talk about a room clearer!
Reading poetry to any audience is tough and requires a lot of thought about which poems might connect, but I know that Bill did (as we all noticed) with the Dickinson poem. No jokes required before, during, or after.
[/Christina]
I think Bill Murray was just trying to read a few poems and entertain a captive audience. I wouldn't call it performance poetry. The construction workers obviously wanted to be there (taking photos and videos with their cell phones) until Bill asked them to step forward and share their own poetry. Talk about a room clearer!
Reading poetry to any audience is tough and requires a lot of thought about which poems might connect, but I know that Bill did (as we all noticed) with the Dickinson poem. No jokes required before, during, or after.
I love Bill Murray. He is so funny. Humor is such a wonderful way to connect with people. I loved that he challenged the construction workers' reality and also invited them to participate.
It's amazing how many poetic voices there are and which ones resonate for us. I too liked the Emily Dickinson poem.
So, here's a question for you poets: might this whole event be called "performance poetry?"
It's amazing how many poetic voices there are and which ones resonate for us. I too liked the Emily Dickinson poem.
So, here's a question for you poets: might this whole event be called "performance poetry?"
Connecting is important. I saw the crossed arms,etc., but I loved how Murray used humor to move things along. I was especially touched at his reading of Dickinson and how he immersed himself in her poem. He was keenly aware, too, of the sacredness of this building, the words it will house.
What poems would you have chosen for this audience and occasion?
What poems would you have chosen for this audience and occasion?
As I watched this I was horrified that Bil Murray was reading some "bad poetry," meaning the construction workers weren't connecting with the poems and appeared to be quite bored. Then he began "I Dwell in Possibility" and I got chills looking at the faces of the workers. They got it!
I wish we had a poetry house here!
I wish we had a poetry house here!
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