Infusing Poetry and Comedy – 80s Style

These guys knew how to infuse a little poetry into their lives.  We love this scene from Rodney Dangerfield’s classic 80s comedy, “Back To School,” which likely introduced an entire generation to Dylan Thomas and his perfect Villanelle …

APOEM Launches Ars Poetica

Ever participated in a writer’s workshop?  Ever stood on stage and presented your work at a coffee shop?  Ever been assigned a work and needed a little help by means of discussion with someone other than the teacher?  Ever just been reading poetry on your own and wanted to talk to someone about the latest poet you’ve gotten into, or just ask someone else what they think about some cryptic line or stanza?  Ever taught an English class and found yourself wanting … of a bit more discussion, of a bit different reading list, schedule, syllabus, or  … just a different dialectic dialogue in general?

If not, it’s cool.  We all have to be somewhere in our chain of experiences.  Perhaps you’re just looking for a good conversation, whatever that may be.  Either way, it would be worth your time to check out and/or post some topics for discussion in APOEM‘s new forum, Ars Poetica.

Why a forum?  Well, like its parent site, Always Poetry On Everyone’s Mind, the forum is dedicated to the proliferation and appreciation of poetry, all kinds of poetry, new poetry, old poetry, good poetry, new poetry, performance poetry, visual poetry, all kinds …

There are categories for people to submit their own work in various stages of the creative process, and there are categories for people to reference and discuss the works of others in appreciation, education, explication, recitation, what have you.   Seriously, you should check it out, dive right in, ask some questions, answer some questions … have some wine, and enjoy the best of the interwebs: your own poetic conversation.

Poetry in Motion: Koga-A New Wind-Judo

Here’s a link to a Fighting Films’ feature about Toshihiko Koga, one of the greatest judokas the world has ever seen. If you ever have wondered what poetry looks like in motion, when it’s embodied and embattled, here’s an answer and an example.

Robert Hayden Reads …

Have a listen to Robert Hayden reading his own “Those Winter Sundays” …

Samurais & Rainstorms from the Hagakure

 

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. By doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to all things.

 

Here’s a link to the free, full text pdf of the entire Hagakure: click here