Last weeks class was the one of the most entertaining classes I have ever been to. I loved listening to every single one of the pieces and it made me realize that poetry is not so intimidating. Each and every poem was so different and yet so entertaining, touching, and impressive. It is amazing to have seen the vulnerable side of every one in class and I was seriously impressed.
I have been doing theatre all of my life and yet I was really nervous to go in front of the class and read my poem. It is such a different arena. Everyone is so close and it seems inappropriate to picture everyone naked, so it is a bit nerve racking. But once the ball started to roll and people took there turn being vulnerable I was more excited than nervous. I was now looking forward to reading my poem and getting some feedback and response. I think we are all lucky that we have a class where all of the people are supportive and not threatening. This can make all the difference in the world. After the last class poetry became for me, something not so scary. I now want to write more, and realize that poetry is not a rigid, judgemental arena, but one with the potential to enlighten and build confidence.
I loved that each poem/poet had a different style. Every poem was different, but had something in common..they were all poetry.
It was also so obvious that everyone shared my enjoyment on this day. You could tell that even the most frightened left the podium with a positive feeling. We have so much talent in our class, so much humor, much fun. I could not stop thinking about this class session for days, and when I got to my car I immediately wrote a new poem. It is refreshing to be inspired at school.
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Hi Katie
You nervous? Never! It's interesting how each person expressed him or herself through poetry. Each message was different, but at the same time everyone revealed a part of their personal side which is not something I am used to seeing in most classes. I agree that this particular class was very inspiring. It's great that you actually wrote another poem after this experience. That's awesome! I was actually more intimidated than I thought I was going to be. I'm not used to sharing poetry, but it's okay because I'm sure a lot of people felt the same way. I definitely think this would be a great exercise for my students one day and let them know it's okay to be nervous, but the more you put yourself out there, the more people appreciate it. It takes courage to express who you are, which I think is something that everyone in our class did!
-Laura Q.
I totally agree. It was a great atmosphere in there. Everyone was respectful and appreciative of each others' work. You're right about the venue being a major factor. I, too, have performed in front of large audiences, and it's much easier. At least, it feels much safer. Repeating or singing someone else's words is always less frightening than exposing one's own thoughts to criticism. My personal preference used to be singing on a stage with a spotlight. I can't even see the audience then, and the music distracts from me (or so I like to imagine). On the flip side, I like to challenge myself, so reading my own work in front of a small and physically near audience is something I almost enjoy forcing myself to do. I love that you were inspired to write another poem right after class. Obviously, you got something out of the experience. I wrote a haiku and posted it. Maybe you should post your poem for the class and get some feedback.
Hi Katie,
I couldn't agree with you more. That class was one of the funnest ever for me (is that even a word.."funnest?"), and I learned a lot in the process as well. It was great to hear everyone's creations, and to see everyone perform it. I agree with you too that after seeing everyone perform and hearing everyone's creation, it's almost as if poetry became less scary. It made it seem like something attainable and that's a great feeling.
I loved the variety of the poems as well. It is really cool how everyone's poem was so different, but relative to each person's style. I think there is a great atmosphere in our class, and that helps to make it more enjoyable. I was really nervous to get up in front of everyone (thus, the turning off the lights for my reading :) but it does help a lot to know that everyone in class is really supportive and respectful. This is encouraging to think about. I hope that when we're all teachers one day, we all have a class where everyone feels comfortable and respectful with each other as our class does.
By the way, your poem was great. I loved it! :)
Yeah, it was a pretty cool class. I especially liked the flow of it. I’ve taken poetry classes where we share our poems, but after someone reads his/her poem, the next 20 minutes are taken to critique the poem and offer advice. While this is an important part of revision, I liked how last week’s class was not about that. It was nice to see the eclectic group of people that make up the 495 class. I have had so many classes where it seems like every person is exactly the same.
I would really like to do a poetry reading similar to this one in one of my classes in the future. However, I am worried that I will not be able to establish an atmosphere that is comfortable enough. With everything that is going on outside of my classroom in the lives of high school students, it might be naïve of me to think that I can create a place where all of those other concerns are put on hold.
Thank you for your compliments. I really appreciate them. I do not look at my writing in that way sometimes. Maybe it is because I have not been writing enough. I think I came to a point where I let myself become intimidated by the way other people write.
I am also coming out of a self esteem issue. Especially in writing. My bodily low self esteem went away almost completely, but the writing...thats another story.
I know I should not let it get to me and I am beginning to understand this. I have begun to open up again and this is what is being reflected in my blogs. I am actually better at expressing myself in my writing than vocally, but I have not done this in a while. When I do write though, it is this feeling I cannot explain. I pour myself out to it. Its almost like bleeding, but not so graphic.
I understand what you are saying about the class. Its an unexplainable great feeling I get in that course. Its the professor, the people, the assignments we do, all of it. It makes me feel like I can do great things and change the world. Maybe I am becoming a bit dramatic, but its something like that.
You are also a great writer and I could feel the passion you put into your work. I can only imagine how great of a singer you are. You are going to be awesome. As far as writing about poetry is concerned, I also feel that strange feeling.
It feels like an unknown territory, yet I have crossed it many times. I have really bad anxiety when I have to write an essay, I used to get panic attacks from it ironically, but I think I am learning to let it fill me. Because once I start, I get sucked into another world where the only thing that exsists is me and the poem. Alright, this comment is getting long, maybe I shall digress more in my blog.
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