Perceiving Poetry With Heart, Eyes, and Ears in Intermedial Age - Essay Sample

Introduction

It is generally believed that poetry is the art that should be perceived with one's heart rather than eyes (like painting or photography) or ears (like music). This is undoubtedly true as poetry is famous for its amazing ability to speak immediately to the heart awaking powerful waves of emotions. And yet, both eyes and ears can rightfully participate in the feast of poetry, especially today, in the intermedial age, when media more often than not co-operate and converge to provide the audience with a multifaceted, immersive experience. Among other forms of media convergence, this kind of immersion into poetry can be experienced when watching videos of poetic readings. They offer a kind of a 3D model of a poem where written text is supplemented with the visual image which includes the appearance of the poet, the background, the audience, etc, and the audio which gives the viewer an opportunity to hear the voice of the poet. When one reads a poem, one reads it in his/her own voice, even when reading silently, appropriating the poem. A video offers access to the authentic microcosm of the poet, a glimpse into a world different from the one in which the viewer lives. Thus, a poem seen through the video manifests diversity, authenticity, distinctness, and is also an invitation to a dialogue between the poet and the audience.

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Probably, the first and foremost thing that catches the viewer's attention is the overall appearance of the poet. By seeing the emotions written on the poet's face the audience can live through the poem, its emotional ups and downs, together with the author. Aracelis Girmay's excerpt from "The Black Maria" is full of subdued anger and worry. When the video begins, one sees Girmay's tiny figure against the huge festival banner. She looks so fragile, so human. Then the camera focuses on her face, intelligent, delicate, filled with worry for the talented boy who wanted nothing but to study the stars. This beautiful, intelligent, compassionate face must be so different from the snob of a neighbor that the boy had. While reading the poem, Girmay wears her feelings like a badge of honor and the audience cannot but join in. "You might have worried about him in the white space in between lines 5 and 6," says Girmay (Splitthisrock, 2016, 2:26) perfectly expressing the experience of suffering and hoping together with the author. One can feel how supportive the audience is in the way they cheer the line mentioning the murderous jury of his neighbor and in the loud applause at the end. Experiencing a poem through a video creates a sense of participation, sharing and community that solitary reading cannot provide.

Another bright example of a poet guiding his audience through the poem is Jericho Brown (TEDx Talks, 2015). Brown's reading is so genuine at all times that it is hard to say where the poetry ends and the prose begins. Brown weaves his memories, remarks and poems into one bright carpet. At the very start of his talk, he adds a distinctly human touch by mentioning his students who have come to support him saying that it means the world to him. When Brown talks about his students, his face lights up. He goes one to build a connection with the audience by making a joke about having the privilege of being incredibly hydrated thanks to the TED team. But then he starts reading his poetry and his expression changes dramatically. The memories bring tears into his eyes. When Brown shares with the audience that his dream of becoming a poet came from the church where the pastor stands in front of people, feeling vulnerable, he offers a very important insight into his own creative method: he is not just reading his poetry, he is re-living his past together with the audience, he believes in the transformative and uplifting power of art. Brown's commentary, his facial expression, his whole image, his voice both meditative and strong work together with his poems to create a comprehensive, immersive experience out of which one will emerge a stronger and better human being.

Another aspect of watching a video recording of a poetry reading deals with the expectations of the audience. The human mind is curious and always eager to know every little detail about the author standing behind the literary work. When the reader dives into the poetry of a particular author, the image of the poet will not fail to emerge between the lines. Video recordings of poetry readings offer the audience the joy of comparing the image they have constructed when reading the poems and the real poet in flesh and blood. In his TED-talk, Jericho Brown says that surprise is essential for a poem (TEDx Talks, 2015, 12:59). This observation is valid for the video format as well. Jericho Brown himself, a handsome, athletic young man, is a figure that stands in sharp contrast with the scared child, the protagonist of his autobiographical poetry. Seeing this child grow into a talented poet and a respected teacher brings the audience consolation. Another interesting contrast can be observed in the video recording of a reading given by Solmaz Sharif at The Poetry Center (DocFilm Institute, 2018). The video brings together the harsh reality of war, the controversial issue of using language to manipulate public opinion and Sharif's feminine image, her delicate face, her youth. The resulting tension is a fruitful space for discussion which Sharif's poetry is meant to foster.

Some poets choose an opposite approach within which the visual supports rather than contrasts the verbal. Natalie Diaz when reading 'When My Brother Was an Aztec' (PBS NewsHour, 2012) becomes a living representation of her characters. Her face with no make-up, sweaty and reddened by the sun, transports the audience into the harsh world of her poetry where no angels fly. Yet others choose to stay themselves like Matt Rasmussen in his bright green pullover, with his husky voice and awkward joke about a sad sandwich (Poets.org, 2014). But whatever strategy is chosen by the poet, the experience of seeing and hearing the author is incredibly enriching as it makes the poetry come alive.

Reference

DocFilm Institute (2018, April 12). Solmaz Sharif - The Poetry Center [Video File]. Retrieved July 01, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaFXwGivyrQ

PBS NewsHour. (2012, June 20). Poet Natalie Diaz Reads From 'When My Brother Was an Aztec' [Video File]. Retrieved July 01, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzkQd78A9UM

Poets.org. (2014, August 21). Matt Rasmussen: Poets Forum Reading [Video File]. Retrieved July 01, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EjrggZh7xk

Splitthisrock. (2016, August 11). Aracelis Girmay - excerpt from "The Black Maria" [Video File]. Retrieved July 01, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F21nKyiEaB4

TEDx Talks. (2015, May 27). The art of words | Jericho Brown | TEDxEmory [Video File]. Retrieved July 01, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DsG-tMZjKY