tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641117771707843067.post7417839458058900141..comments2024-02-05T15:01:44.563-05:00Comments on Cleveland Poetics: a place for cleveland's writers and readers: Academic poetry, versus slam poetry, versus underground poetrymichael salingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14717310933948991992noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641117771707843067.post-4201735019112088752013-04-26T12:17:59.001-04:002013-04-26T12:17:59.001-04:00"Now if only I could get Writing Knights on t...<i>"Now if only I could get Writing Knights on the list of "SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL READING SERIES" :) (<a href="http://WritingKnights.com" rel="nofollow">WritingKnights.com</a> by the way)."</i><br /><br />That page doesn't seem to go to a reading series-- is there a page to link to with upcoming or ongoing events?Geoffrey A. Landishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04518496779546782434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641117771707843067.post-12773130170164737062013-04-26T09:24:59.256-04:002013-04-26T09:24:59.256-04:00"...Also, it's Azriel...."
Oops. S..."...Also, it's Azriel...."<br /><br />Oops. Spelling is now corrected.Geoffrey A. Landishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04518496779546782434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641117771707843067.post-24095218444303718822013-04-26T08:30:51.879-04:002013-04-26T08:30:51.879-04:00I'm glad my post was able to inspire part of a...I'm glad my post was able to inspire part of an entry on clevelandpoetics.<br /><br />Now if only I could get Writing Knights on the list of "SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL READING SERIES" :) (WritingKnights.com by the way).<br /><br />As for the styles of poetry, yes, there are the SLAM competitions which can bring in any sort of poetry without limits, but there is also a SLAM style which can also be found outside of the competition (which is why I didn't mention the competitions in my "definitions").<br /><br />This is really why I am not a fan of definitions in general. There might be connoisseurs who appreciate the subtle nuances of each style, but I poet (and publish) like I cook. I find the things I like and I put them together. I find new things and I stir them into the mix.<br /><br />Also, it's Azriel. Azrael is my brother, we often get mistaken for one another, but he's the pretty one and I'm the smart one. :) <br />Writing Knights Presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16408101170040693143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641117771707843067.post-1571114647385844122013-04-26T03:16:17.308-04:002013-04-26T03:16:17.308-04:00I would agree that we have three "style cliqu...I would agree that we have three "style cliques" of poetry here in the NEO, but I would label two of them differently.<br /><br />Academics is the right label for the first group. Academics tend to be more structured in the construction of poems, rigidly adhering to classic forms of writing, and some of whom tend to look down on "street" poets.<br /><br />Then there's the two groups of "street" poets. While some have described these groups as having a racial divide, that isn't really the case. It is a stylistic divide based on influences. Those I call the "beat street" poets are probably what Azriel is calling "underground poets." They are inspired by the beat generation, Ginsberg, etc. Most of these poets here in Cleveland worship at the altar of d.a. levy.<br /><br />Then we have the other "street" poetry scene. Az is probably calling this the "slam scene," though most of these poets do not compete in slams. (Slam is competition. Our slams, when properly promoted, draw a variety of poets and styles.) I've never been sure exactly what to call this group. My instinct has been to call this the "urban street" poetry scene, but all too often "urban" gets interpreted along racial lines when this is absolutely not the case. The poetry found here tends to be more lyrical, taking inspiration from both jazz and hip-hop/rap artists.<br /><br />Now, if you break it down, yes, the Beat Poets were influenced by jazz musicians, and yes, the leading talents in hip-hop and rap (note I said talents not performers, as this statement is not based on record sales) often cite the Beat Poets as some of their own inspirations, so this all gets meshed together.<br /><br />What Cleveland is wonderful for is the diversity and welcome nature of our poetry scene. Many of our poets fit into more than one of these three groups. Even most of our Academics bridge the gap with one or the other of our street scenes. It doesn't matter which group of poets your work fits in with, you can go to any show and be welcomed without even a bat of the eye. Even the very few Academics who are snobbish toward other poets fail to spread that thought to their students.<br /><br />When I first started doing live events, it was one of my goals to put on shows that would draw poets from multiple style cliques. For the most part, the shows I've produced have been successful at that. Other shows have continued those efforts, and I can now see promoters all over the NEO making an effort to break down the walls between the cliques. When I've spoken to poets who have traveled here from other cities, they are often impressed by this.Vertigo Xavierhttp://www.poetshaven.comnoreply@blogger.com