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February 13, 2009

Poem vs. poem

Students practice and recite works of great poets

By MIKE JAMES - The Independent

LLOYD — Standing up in front of a room full of kids you see every day and reciting a poem is tough.

Brittany Melvin can tell you that. The Greenup County High School freshman had to be cajoled into getting out of her seat Friday to recite “Blind Curse,” by Simon Joseph Ortiz. And she is one of those theater kids who throws herself into plays all the time.

There’s something intimidating about doing poetry in front of people you know, she said. But saying it out loud helps her feel the emotional impact and strengthens the personal connection.

And in retrospect, steeling herself to recite it to an audience was a good experience. “It was something I had to do.”

She and about 400 other GCHS students, that is, who were part of the school’s Poetry Out Loud competition. They all chose and memorized a poem and then practiced saying it out loud.

It’s a process that can tip the scales in favor of an art form that not all kids like, said David Deborde, the English teacher who coordinated the contest. “When you read a poem, one you have to memorize, you invest yourself into the poem,” he said. He believes more kids will enjoy poetry once they’ve sensed what the artist goes through. “It makes them more sensitive to what makes good poetry.”

As visiting artist Mitch Barrett put it, “It’s not going to make or break your life, but it’s really important that you are facing it.”

Barrett, a singer-songwriter, spent the day at the school, performing and coaching students on techniques for preparing themselves for their big moment.

Comparing a poetry recital to a stage performance, he led them through breathing and facial exercises to loosen their muscles and minds in order to let the words flow effectively.

The Berea-based musician encouraged students to “be present in your performance ... you can actually slow time down.”

Nerves are the biggest obstacle for most kids, Deborde said. Barrett’s relaxed stage presence and his animated interpretations of familiar folk anthems showed the students more than he could ever convey in a class lecture about performing.

Deborde’s students have been preparing for the contest for weeks now. Individual classes have been having competitions. He’s been reading a poem in class every day.

Brittany’s recital took her to second place in the school competition. First place went to Austen Vance, a sophomore.

Winners at the school level go to a state competition at Frankfort in March.

Poetry Out Loud is an initiative of the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts to encourage young people to learn about and appreciate great poetry. Students who participate develop public speaking skill and self confidence.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

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