Columbia

I attended a poetry reading on Wednesday, April 13, at 5:30. The reading was held at Stage Two, 618 Michigan Ave. EVAN LAVENDER-SMITH and KIKI PETROSINO were the two readers.

O Lord
I lift my heart from its brown
clock & shake
long enough to catch the sad loose
switch in it.
Slow thing I say tender. I'll miss
tapping in the fine broke
days.
Jingle days-
My heart would mark in bird
sound. A silver thrum now hushed.Hush-
Hush-this keeping unless you stir
my heart O Lord
today. Unless you lift me up & tap
just where. Two taps
may sound
through to the metal-
-Through-
-Through



Kiki had somewhat of a glow about her. She was soft spoken, but I feel that she looked down too much. It would have been nice if this reading incorporated the performance aspect as well. To be frank, I tuned out, and I almost fell asleep...I didn't though. Popularity and Me; a poem that caught my attention. Kiki read: I am queen, slipping into a bucktoothed gondola-I remember my father talking about gondola's when I was younger. They're boats with just a single oar. This was a way of getting around in Venice, Italy. My father said that these gondolas were a "respectable way of transportation, Brit." Gondolas fit about six people to a boat. He then went on and on and on about his mother. So, I politely said "I have to go." This was interesting to me, and therefore changed my view on this poem. In the beginning of this poem, Kiki appeared quite vulnerable. I was drawn to that vunerablilty. Not only am I drawn to passion through the arts, I am drawn to people who can evoke passion in me through their creative works. I feel this poem described how she felt growing up, and how individuals dismiss her. Towards the end of her poem, she had this “conquer all” tune in her voice. I can identify with this scenario. I have felt self doubt, because I have had people doubt me. As I have become older, and I have grown into my own, I have become stronger. I feel this is what Kiki was trying to convey with this poem. I can't remember any of her other poems. I wish I could.
I wasn’t too fascinated with this poetry reading. It was free, and convenient. This was my second poetry reading that I’ve attended. I plan on attending more than this. The Chicago Reader posts free art events everyday. I should be able to seek out more readings during the summer. Out of the two that I had to attend for class, I enjoyed Buddy Wakefield’s poetry, and his performance the best.