Happy Tuesday, friends.
I hope you're all having a good week. ☺
Last Tuesday I wrote a post about some graffiti that urged people to dare to create. Ever since then, I've been feeling inspired not only to do more of what I love—writing poetry—but also to step outside my comfort zone and look to other forms of poetry that I haven't yet explored.
One of the forms I've found inspiration in is spoken word poetry. YouTube is replete with videos featuring wonderful poets working in this form. One of the most talented (in my opinion) is Sarah Kay, a spoken word poet from New York City who teaches others how to perfect the craft. I watched several videos of her performances—all excellent—before I came across the video I posted here, an animation of Kay's poem "Hands," which was created by artist/designer Sachin Limbachia. In many ways, "Hands" shows how small things—in this case, holding hands—can tell so much about a relationship.
I'm curious about what you think of the video and Kay's words. Have you ever listened to spoken word poetry? Do you like it?
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Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday. ☺
UPDATE: My friend Madeline commented below that she found that the animation distracted her from Kay's words. Although I think Limbachia did a wonderful job with the artwork in this video, I agree with Madeline's assessment. Spoken word poetry is meant to be performed; there's a lot of value in seeing the poet as he or she speaks. Here's a video in which Kay is performing "Hands." What do you think? Which version do you prefer?
There's a quote I love "Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone". Kudos to you for stepping outside of it :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith. ☺
DeleteI love the video, good luck for stepping out your comfort zone and I think there much out-there for you to explore...:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melgie. You're right about that—and I can't wait to take a look!
DeleteI enjoyed listening to that poem. I especially loved the part about hands as compasses and maps, about fingers zippering together.
ReplyDeleteI liked the video but I found it kind of distracting because I wanted to concentrate more on the words themselves. (If that makes sense.)
Thank you for sharing!
That makes a ton of sense. Spoken word poetry is meant to be performed, which is why I was curious about this animated version. I completely agree with you, even though I think the artist did a great job.
DeleteI do like the second video better. I did think the artwork was excellent, and I actually found that certain images really fit sections of the poem. I think I enjoyed watching the poet more because you can see the poem come alive in her face and in her gestures. :)
Deletecool videos
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them. :)
DeleteWonderful, I love the fast pace of the first video!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it, Leovi. ☺
DeleteI found the animated video to be very fast and difficult to follow, both the words and the pictures, it also seemed to lose its way during the second half, almost as though somebody else took over. The second video was more entertaining but I found the words were spoken rather fast for my British ears. Both videos contained a lot of information to take in and process in a short space of time.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a lot to take in; Kay sometimes speaks very fast. If you're interested in spoken word poetry, check out some of the other poets on YouTube (Search for spoken word poetry.) Perhaps you'll find someone who appeals to you more. :)
DeleteI confess I have rarely listened to poetry tough sometimes read it.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Ted Kooser. His poems are great and very accessible.
DeleteI definitely enjoyed the second one more, maybe because the poet was a good performer too, very engaging. If I saw a flyer advertising spoken word poetry at the local coffee shop, I doubt I'd go. First of all, I don't love poetry enough in general. Second, I'm skeptical of free verse. I could rearrange this response in a variety of lines and lengths and claim it as a poem. ffttt While I liked the content of "Hands," it could very well have been a paragraph, a performance in prose. Are you getting ready to step WAAAAY out of that comfort zone and perform at Starbucks?
ReplyDeleteHa! Don't expect to see me there anytime soon.
DeletePretty good and enjoyable videos!
ReplyDeleteNas
Glad you liked them!
DeleteI'm not sure which one I like best, but I'd love to see you give it a go and share your results.
ReplyDeleteMaybe someday. I've never done spoken word poetry before, but as I'm looking to step out of my comfort zone, there's always a first time. :)
Deletecheck out Tess Kincaids Magpie Tales. Her poems are read so eloquently by R.A.D. Stainforth.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.willowmanor.blogspot.com/2013/07/balloons.html
Thanks, Kathe. ☺
DeleteNeat stuff! Akin to some RSA animations that nail the words perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of those. I think you're right!
DeleteI love the animation, it seems more expressive, but the other is also very good!
ReplyDelete☺
DeleteThat's funny, about half-way through I stopped looking at the video...and then when it was over I read what you wrote after!
ReplyDeleteToo funny! :)
DeleteHope you're having a great Wednesday.
I'm an oddball, I guess. I liked the animation. I enjoyed the creativity and I thought that it complemented the poem. I actually found her hand gestures in the second video, to be distracting. :-) I'd never before watched (or listened) to spoken poetry.
ReplyDeleteI learned something today. Thanks, Dana! :-)
You're not the only one. Others have mentioned that, too. :)
DeleteI was curious about what everyone would think about the hand gestures; I can see how they'd be a little distracting.
Happy Wednesday. ☺
I rarely listen to poetry, but it's always a rewarding experience when I do.
ReplyDeleteI wish more people felt that way. :)
DeleteLOL at her ending!!!
ReplyDeleteI know! Isn't it great? :)
DeleteI liked both but... What distracted me in both cases was that she went so fast. I think she could have slowed down her delivery a bit and give it time to be processed. Her stage performance was great, more like a monologue. The first was like a narration. I was just impeded in both cases by her speaking so fast.
ReplyDeleteAnother person mentioned that as well. I don't know if it's a New York thing (some of us do speak kind of quickly over here) or if it's a part of her performance.
DeleteHappy Thursday!
A nice and funny blog - I'll keep on following it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday, Gunnar. ☺
DeleteI actually liked both versions, and I was thinking the same thing Wendy was. Would have loved her to slow down a bit.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked them. ☺
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