Goldenshovel
1. Morning Reflection: Poetry and Politics: Terrance Hayes
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=terrance+hayes&adlt=strict&view=detail&mid=63BD3114B3661F38A25863BD3114B3661F38A258&FORM=VRDGAR
2. Introduce the "Golden Shovel Poem" and Terrance Hayes
From Writer's Digest: Golden Shovel: Poetic Form
Here are the rules for the Golden Shovel:
- Take a line (or lines) from a poem you admire.
- Use each word in the line (or lines) as an end word in your poem.
- Keep the end words in order.
- Give credit to the poet who originally wrote the line (or lines).
- The new poem does not have to be about the same subject as the poem that offers the end words.
If it’s still kind of abstract, read these two poems to see how Terrance Hayes used a Gwendolyn Brooks poem to write the first golden shovel:
- We Real Cool, by Gwendolyn Brooks (original poem)
- The Golden Shovel, by Terrance Hayes (golden shovel poem)
This form is sort of in the tradition of the cento and erasure, but it offers a lot more room for creativity than other found poetry.
*****
Workshop your poetry!
Here’s my attempt at a golden shovel:
“Aging Well,” by Robert Lee Brewer-after Basho as translated by Allen Ginsberg
The funny thing about growing old
is you never know how to respond
until after the fact. Like a frog
that sits and then eventually jumps
there’s absolutely no thought given
to the process. You’re young; then, kerplunk!
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/articles/92023/introduction-586e948ad9af8
https://web.njit.edu/~ronkowit/poetsonline/archive/arch_goldenshovel.html
4. Write a Golden Shovel poem:
Resources: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/resources/learning/core-poems?page=4
HOMEWORK: Create a "Golden Shovel poem" for Tuesday workshop
Terrance Haynes did a great job at explain how powerful poetry is, how it can move people, and change their perceptions especially on topics such as politics. His poem not only shed light to a horrible tragedy, but also seemingly brought people together to think of things like this, as all good poetry should do. It was interesting as the hosts talked about poetry not being popular, when I think that poetry is in fact one of the most powerful art forms especially in today's world where sharing our words can greatly impact they way we view the turmoil in our political climate.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Terrance Hayes in that many politicians have the potential to be poets. However, we are all aware that they are speech writers, and we do not know what speech was actually written by the president or one of his employees. Despite this, the execution is almost equally important to the words being said; it matter how something is said nearly just as much as what is said. Like the example they used, I bet Obama has written some of his speeches himself, but he is also a great speaker.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view, for the most part. While watching the video I wondered about the professional speech writers the president has available to him. Even if Obama didn't write some of those speeches, whoever did write them has such a way with language that they could in fact appeal to America's poets. The fact that Obama was an amazing speaker was also important, because, like in poetry generally, the way it is spoken makes a big impact on how it's perceived.
Delete- Serita McKenzie
Terrance Hayes has a very strong opinion towards politics and there way of speaking. He believe that there are politicians that make very strong key points. Although this is the case they don't use their poetic skills and sometimes its obvious to understand the writing comes from a ghost writer. Terrance has a understandable opinion towards politician use of language.
DeleteTerrance Hayes is correct in the sense that politicians have the ability to speak or write like poets. Everyone has a different voice in their writing and so sometimes it can be or can't be easy to see who wrote the president's speeches. In order to have a good speech you have to have a good voice. Poetry and words are a powerful way to move a nation and it is important that the right things be said. You can't just have a great writing you have to also have a great speaker. Words can bring together people and separate them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Terrance Hayes said about having literary elements in politics as well as people who live in a country with a harsher government that is overbearing the artists do shine though. When Hayes read is poem out loud about hurricane Katrina it displayed his point by taking something life changing or a current event like politics or disasters can give a voice for the ones who are silenced.
ReplyDeleteThe interview with Terrence Hayes seemed to focus around the difference between poetry and literature, and what makes poetry stand out from it.
ReplyDeleteThere was a lot of focus on politics, probably because the interview was hosted on a news station. However, they were able to land on the topic about whether or not politicians can emulate the grace of poetry/if any of the present politicians can be considered poets. Hayes describes that idea of their language as motivational, but at its core nothing like what poetry could strike in people.
The difference between being literary and being poetic is the use of the words on the page, and the purpose of the piece. For poetry, it could be used as the voice of the people, the "dissent" as described. Poetry is an act of rebellion of times of political crisis, and in comparison with a politician's literature (which could be restricted or even silenced in regards to their status in the government) it is truly free.
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ReplyDeleteTerrance Hayes discussion of Poetry and Politics widened the definition of what poetry is by equating some of the speeches and words of wisdom presented by presidents such as Lincoln and Obama as poetry. He explains how language is a powerful force that can effectively shift the attitude of an entire group of people if utilized correctly. While he promotes poetry as a method to examine important issues, his first reaction was to say that politicians may be writers, but they are not poets. In this way, I believe he meant to depict poetry as a more delicate and meaningful form of art that is different than political rhetoric. In reality, he speaks of how poets become the voices of those that are oppressed by a government that does not take into account their beliefs and struggles. Overall, poetry is not something to be taken lightly or used without a specific objective in mind. It is meant to empower, not to diminish power.
ReplyDeleteThe views of Terrance Hayes are widely shared throughout society regarding the power the voices of artists hold during times of unrest within the United States. He believes that poetry is a way to give a voice to those who have been silenced or repressed. He spoke of presidential speeches and their varying poetic nature as well, broadening the definition and power of poetry. He used Lincoln as an example of this because of the power of his rhetoric and the action that followed it. He continues by saying that rhetoric has very little meaning and is solely for publicity if appropriate action does not follow. He paints poetry as a meaningful art form that can be representative of a greater whole, or those that do not have the power to speak up on their own.
ReplyDeleteThe interview with Terrance Hayes was interesting, mostly because of the time in which it was taped— Obama was president. I understood the point he was making, in that, some politicians words are so eloquent and fitting for the situation they are speaking for, but it would be interesting to see such an interview in 2017. While Obama had people write speeches for him like any president, he at least seemed like he had a connection to what he was saying. With Trump, however, it seems he just wants to get the words out. While I don't think the president necessarily has to be the most eloquent person in the world, I do think they need to have a certain way with words that convinces the people listening of emotion and feeling.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Terrance Hayes' views on the importance of language and poetry. I think language can sometimes be overlooked by people n power, especially if the person doesn't see much use in words besides force. However, I think language and art give a voice to dissent that can gain its own power without force.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Terrance Hayes' poem about hurricane Katrina. Contrasting the natural disaster with the human mouth was a very interesting concept that had me hooked the entire time. Political poetry is a good alternative to combat the hardships or woe (or whatever feeling somebody is feeling) during times of political malice.
ReplyDeleteTerrence Hayes made various statements that included his take on political views with the distinction of being a writer and how they can become relatable. He mentioned how former president Barack Obama was a writer and how everyday things that people go through can be turned into everyday things poets can write, no matter the contradiction of politics, which is agreeable in the sense of things such as speech writers,political opinions, and the personal thoughts of a political person who lives life so publicly.
ReplyDeleteThe interview of Terrance Hayes on CNN posed a great question which is, can poetry exist within politics, which I answer with yes. Although many politics do not write traditional poems with their message, they do however write a semblance of it through the flow and the resonance of their speeches. Like in the clip he commented on how during President Lincoln's time language and literature was much more appreciated than now, and it reflects in newer President's speeches. Also, politics exist within the people as our founding fathers allowed us to have a free speech and discourse of the government, we as a democracy have the power to speak politics through our own poetry. So to answer the question yes poetry exist through politics.
ReplyDeleteThe interview with Terrance Hayes evoked an interesting idea. When speaking of politics and what influences how the people learn about politics the mainstream media comes to mind. We think of Journalists, and political analysts, not usually poets and literary writers. Looking back on events in history you can see where poets and writers had an effect on the narrative. Terrance saying that they are the “voices of the voiceless” is interesting because history most often is told by the victors, however abstract art and poetry is where other perspectives can be found.
ReplyDeleteTerrance Hayes makes a good point when he says hat politicians have the ability to speak and write like poets. He touches how if politicians used a creative voice when they write speeches they could change the opinions and views of entire group of people and bring, in a sense, a type of beauty into the obscene world of politics. I also like how when he read his poem about Hurricane Katrina he described is as a "Flooding Machine"
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