Definitely the vultures. Memories of seaside visits will vary from person to person - some won't have any, some will be miserable. Vultures catch the attention, and might trigger ideas quite outside their actual taste or habits. Comparisons totally divorced from wildlife, birds, and nature - the acquisition and hoarding of possessions, say. Things that might drift into our thoughts in current times of financial hardship, or rising prices, or other unfortunate occurrences..........
I'd go with the Vultures first, it's funny, original and clever. I went to a poetry reading the other day and was treated to half an hour of a dirge like epic which had won numerous prizes. I confess to be the only person who found the monotone interminaly dull - while I like to be given something to chew on so to speak, I don't want to fight the urge to fall asleep. Agree about Henry Normal- a superb entertainer and further generous in that at a recent open mic he stayed to the end and complimented each person on their efforts.
I'd go with the vultures! Because of the strength of rap and stand-up comedy, reading Poetry onstage is difficult to pitch - particularly if it is serious. A recent local session in an overheated non-air-conditioned venue was very varied in its pitch and included far too many downbeat poems from depressed poets. Steer clear! Keep that for the winter, not the searing summer. I think I would start with your Coast poem as it speaks of summer, and something that most people can connect to. I too travelled a long way to see Simon Armitage live on his Libraries Tour, with musicians. It was ok, but not memorable unfortunately. I like him better on paper. Henry Normal is superb live: he is not afraid of his audience and is inclusive, with his perceptive acerbic wit, and can be serious and deep without difficulty. He'd use the vultures! Good luck.
Definitely the vultures. Memories of seaside visits will vary from person to person - some won't have any, some will be miserable. Vultures catch the attention, and might trigger ideas quite outside their actual taste or habits. Comparisons totally divorced from wildlife, birds, and nature - the acquisition and hoarding of possessions, say. Things that might drift into our thoughts in current times of financial hardship, or rising prices, or other unfortunate occurrences..........
Thanks Liz
I'd go with the Vultures first, it's funny, original and clever. I went to a poetry reading the other day and was treated to half an hour of a dirge like epic which had won numerous prizes. I confess to be the only person who found the monotone interminaly dull - while I like to be given something to chew on so to speak, I don't want to fight the urge to fall asleep. Agree about Henry Normal- a superb entertainer and further generous in that at a recent open mic he stayed to the end and complimented each person on their efforts.
Thanks Di.
I'd go with the vultures! Because of the strength of rap and stand-up comedy, reading Poetry onstage is difficult to pitch - particularly if it is serious. A recent local session in an overheated non-air-conditioned venue was very varied in its pitch and included far too many downbeat poems from depressed poets. Steer clear! Keep that for the winter, not the searing summer. I think I would start with your Coast poem as it speaks of summer, and something that most people can connect to. I too travelled a long way to see Simon Armitage live on his Libraries Tour, with musicians. It was ok, but not memorable unfortunately. I like him better on paper. Henry Normal is superb live: he is not afraid of his audience and is inclusive, with his perceptive acerbic wit, and can be serious and deep without difficulty. He'd use the vultures! Good luck.
Thanks Jenni