Friday, October 15, 2010

The Spoken Word

Last night I was fortunate to hear Ted Kooser read his poetry in Concord. Hearing the poet read his or her work is like having them invite you inside their art. They swing the door open wide.

Ted Kooser was the first recipient of the Donald Hall and Jane Kenyon award. Donald Hall was in attendance as was Maxine Kumin.

Ted Kooser makes poetry look easy. He exhorted the audience to write about their relatives, to lift up the lives of those who have gone before. He also explained that he writes what he sees, vignettes that pass before him.

I think he and I share the same opinion about tattoos. He read a poem about a faded tattoo on an older man. It is called Tattoo and is found in Delights and Shadows.