"Hearing a poem . . . means you miss so much" Options

[rus bowden]

.

E-Notes: Thank You Philip Larkin

.

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi Rus,

I wish I could have accessed all the links above, but alas, I am not a member of most of the IBPC sister boards. I agree that 'reading the words' is far more preferable for me than to 'hear the words'. So much IS missed in the latter scenario on a personal level. The shape of a poem, the pace the author sets (use of line breask and punctuation), the poetic devices employed are spotted more easily during a read like alliteration, assonance and inner rhymes, not to mention the poetic form itself. I've learned so much by workshopping forms in written format. I know I would not have learned as much had I only 'heard' them.

I also liken it to the difference between reading a book and listening to that book on cd. When you read a poem or story, you can take your time (pace yourself), formulate your own 'voices' for each character if applicable, enjoy the setting you are in (whether it's in your own home, a beach, the deck or patio, a vacation trip in the car etc.) learn new words (I'll often look up words I'm not familiar with as I read along to make sure I understand the context of its use), enjoy the SHAPE presented of the words, which can, in some cases, slow or quicken your own pace, and for me, reading a poem or story verses listening to it for some reason, sticks in my mind longer as I am forced to concentrate in a different manner between the two methods.

I am listening to Harry Potter's 6th book now, The Half-Blood Prince, on CD even though I have the book here at home as I wanted to take advantage of my commuting time (1 hour per day) as my free time at home is much more limited recently to be able to pull up a comfy chair and read. While I am enjoying the story being told to me, my concentration is reduced by the surroundings and I miss words, sentences and sometimes need to go back and rewind a chapter or track. If I were to read the book, I know I would get more from the experience.

I have never been to a poetry reading, but would be interested in hearing if the chat is similar to my own commentary?

Cheers Rus!
~Cleo