When I started this blog, I hadn’t actually meant to have anything much to do with poetry. Oh, yes, I had written reams of the stuff, but it was all adolescent drivel, and anyway, I hadn’t written any for years and I was trying to see myself as a Novelist, ho yus. Novelists don’t muck about with verse. They, er, write novels, which I am conspicuously not doing. I am mucking about with verse. Again. Why? Does every procrastinating novelist contain a raving poetaster?
In obedience to certain personal lemming-like irrationalities, I attended a poetry workshop last weekend. I thought it would be fun. It was fun. It was such fun that I had a rush of blood to the head and agreed to go along to a Poetry Showcase and read some of my verse out-loud to actual paying people.
I think I do not exaggerate when I say that I am exactly the sort of woman who would chew through the back wall of a public toilet to escape sooner than stand up in front of a group actual living breathing drinking people and attempt to entertain them.
Expect to find oddly-shaped shreds of brickwork all down Lavender Hill next Friday.
Don’t fight it. You’re a poet!
Funnily enough, I always thought I would die if I had to stand up in front of a group of people and talk to them. I’d always been labelled “shy” and was warned against anything like that (why do people issue these warnings? Do they think they’re being helpful?) But when I first started teaching I got this amazing adrenalin rush and thought: “This is for me!” I am a big scaredy-pants but I think nothing of getting up in front of people and talking to them now, it’s weird. I don’t know how different reading poetry would be. If I feel nervous, I try and *pretend* to be confident, have no idea if I convince anyone but it does make me feel slightly better.
All the best for next Friday. It will be cool!
Left by Helen on September 19th, 2006
Thank you.
I am taking my mind off the stage fright by driving myself mad choosing three poems to read out.
This is taking far more time than any reasonable human could consider necessary. And far more tea. (Tea is for poetry, coffee is for prose. I wonder why?)
Left by Reed on September 20th, 2006
Do let us know how it goes. If I knew how to deal with stage fright, I’d tell you, but sadly I just have to struggle through it!
Left by Singing Librarian on September 22nd, 2006
Did it! Yes! Adrenaline rush! Must lie down!
Left by Reed on September 22nd, 2006
Cool! I want to know the details…!
Left by Helen on September 23rd, 2006
Could we also read the three poems that you chose? Please? Pretty please?8-)
Left by Titania on September 25th, 2006
Oh, Titania, I am so sorry, the poems I chose were three I’ve already put on the blog - no new anything at all. I went for Clouds like White Sheep, Coffee Triolet, and Six Graveyards, and then bottled on Six Graveyards because frankly, it’s a bugger to read out loud. And I didn’t want to go on and on and on and look like a pompous git. We already had one of those anyway - not a niche that needed any more filling.
Everyone giggled very pleasingly at Coffee. Especially when I slowed down and g-r-o-w-l-e-d the last line.
Left by Reed on September 25th, 2006
I’ll give you growl. How dare you hold a poetry reading on Lavender Hill when I am unable to attend. I dunno you turn your back for five minutes… I’ve been sulking about it for weeks.
*Sulks a bit more*
Left by Sol on October 12th, 2006
*Looks abashed*
On the other hand, how dare you leave the country when I am about to do a poetry reading on Lavender Hill… nope, that isn’t working. I’ll go back to looking abashed.
Sorry.
Left by Reed on October 12th, 2006
Oh I don’t know. I thought that was a pretty good defense, actually. I am somewhat mollified. Just don’t do it again. Well, obviously do do the readings again, but… OK, you get the point.
*wags finger*
Left by Sol on October 13th, 2006