I was whining earlier today that I didn't know what to do for Poetry Friday this week. I'm currently a zombie because I'm suffering — as I always do — from Christmas Sugar Syndrome. I lumber around in a stupor for several days because we indulge in too much delicious, mind-numbing sweetness.
So, Ramona quickly composed this haiku and suggested a postponement:
I had too much fudge.
Come back next week for a poem.
I'm on Christmas break.
That was tempting. (As tempting as the chocolate itself.) But then, she also said, "Why not some Emily Dickinson?" For Christmas, Ramona gave me the beautiful Emily Dickinson book I shared above. As I was paging through random poems this morning, I was reminded of this Dickinson quote:
“If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only way I know it. Is there any other way?”
She's just so good. (How's that for a writerly description?)
And so, this poem by Dan Vera, which pulls it all together, is a right and proper fit for this week. Enjoy!
Emily Dickinson and the Poetry Slam
by Dan Vera
I will tell you why she rarely ventured from her house.
It happened like this:
One day she took the train to Boston,
made her way to the darkened room,
put her name down in cursive script
and waited her turn.
When they read her name aloud
she made her way to the stage
straightened the papers in her hands —
pages and envelopes, the backs of grocery bills,
she closed her eyes for a minute,
took a breath,
and began.
From her mouth perfect words exploded,
intact formulas of light and darkness.
....
(Read the rest here, at The Poetry Foundation.)
~~~~~~~~~~
The final Poetry Friday round-up of 2024 is
being hosted by the lovely Michelle Kogan.
Find her (and the Poetry Sisters, whose December Challenge was to write a Haibun)
at Michelle's blog, here.
18 comments:
"Is there any other way?" she asks, and Dan Vera answers. (I love when she straightens her papers -- her iconic bits and scraps!)
Karen, thank you for bringing us this poem! Such a great imagining...ED loved her wordplay so very much, I imagine her reading with that sparkle in her eye, amusing herself as much as anyone... Happy new year!
IF ONLY ... I love this imagining of Emily at a slam. What a wild and wonderful way to be in conversation with her. Thank you.
Karen, thank you for sharing this poem. The fanciful idea of how Emily’s work would have been received at a poetry slam lets the imagination run wild. Very entertaining! I loved the haiku too!!
Mary Lee, yes, I feel so delighted at the way all these little details came together at the last minute last night. And now I have a new poet to love, too. Thanks, Dan Vera!
Happy new year to you, too, Irene! Looking forward to sharing another year of poetry with you and the PF gang. :D
Liz, right?? I keep imagining buckling up for that slam and never wanting to leave. :)
Tracey, Ramona's haiku was definitely the mood I was in, but then she sparked the best rabbit trail. :) ❤️
What a lovely poem, Karen….also, will be looking for that E.D. collection … wishing you all a blessed Christmastide🎄♥️đź•Š️
And to you, elli! ❤️
Wow! That's a humdinger of a poem. Thank you, Karen, and Happy New Year!
Aw, nice one about Emily D. at the slam. Ramona's haiku made me laugh. I am over-cookied here in Connecticut, too. Happy 2025 to all!
Wow Karen, what a terrific poem about the impact of lovely Emily Dickinson, who happens to be one of my favorite poets! And what a deliciously funny haiku too, thanks for all and Happy New Year!
I loved this one... Imagining Our Emily as a slam poet has made me laugh.
Karen, this poem you shared made me smile because the image of Emily as a slam poet is hilarious. Thanks for the fun poem. I also have Chrimas Sugar Syndrome. Oh well!
I recently read the book WILDFLOWER EMILY by Lydia Corry. It made me want to deep dive into more Emily Dickinson!
* Laura, happy new year to you and yours too!
* Susan, I'll let Ramona know. :) "Over-cookied" is perfect. :D
*Michelle, thanks for all the Emily and Ramona love!
*Tanita, one of the lines that made me laugh: "40 members of the audience
were treated for hypertension." :)
*Carol, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, 'tis the season to say, "Oh, well!"
*Marcie, I'm going to look for that book — thank you! :)
Karen, I'm sorry I'm late to comment, and thus, your own round-up of comments! I really like that! Anyway, Dickinson is one of my favorite poets and this poem extrapolating her persona, words, and effects on others is stunning. I think for the coming year, I am going to read more Longfellow and more Dickinson. I'm sure I'll love both - thanks for the inspiration! And, watch that sugar overload! Ha-ha! Happy New Year!
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