My 1st oral poem
Nervousness // versus this // inclination to perform
Consciousness // written thus // without pen or form
Thoughts streaming out // screaming // they shout
Pouting // demand control ~
Would we could // arrange ourselves ~
On pages
Rhythms gauged ~
Should moods // presage // the outcomes?
Kind words // ne'er birthed by rage
We don't change // too much with age // but learn
to exercise our choice
Those darkest inclinations // need not be // given ~
our power ~ of voice
So, better yet // the safer bet // is to set pen to paper
Regret // is so slow to forget // where foolish outbursts take her
Age // too well knows // words spoken // are ne'er to be reversed
'Oral,' it asks, 'Oh.
Really?'
d’Verse poetics: Oral poetry
The Challenge
At d’Verse, we were prompted to try something a little different. Perhaps you are used to composing in this way; perhaps youโve never done it before. Either way, here are the steps for the prompt:
- Begin to compose a poem without putting pen to paper: you can say the words in your head, or repeat them out loud. Record them, if you wish, as an aid to memory. Try to complete the poem as far as possible without writing it down. Think about devices: regular rhythms, repeated phrases or โmotifsโ, alliteration and rhyme schemes โ anything to aid the memory and help the words to flow. Alternatively, why not compose a stream-of-consciousness poem orally, recording the words as they come to you?
- There are no strict rules here, but do try to compose at least some of the poem without writing it down immediately, perhaps stanza by stanza. Once you have written it down, read it aloud to yourself, and think about any improvements you could make: a kind of oral editing process.
- Once you have composed your poem, you can do one (or both) of the following:
- Make an audio/video recording of your poem and post it to your blog.
- Transcribe your poem, so we can read the finished version. Donโt forget to link up to Mr Linky, and link back d’Verse in your post.
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
Love this! Great voice, nice pace, standout lines… ๐๐ผ
๐ Michele ๐ – thank you!
You are most welcome! ๐
I love the word play in the first two line… great work
โค Bjรถrn โค – thank you
Enjoyed hearing you read! Your voice is pretty much how I pictured it would sound (does that even make sense??) ๐ I like how the poem evolves and we see more control and realize we have a choice and don’t have to voice our darkest inclinations. Profound! ๐
๐ Tricia, thank you ๐
What a treat!!!! Listening to your voice as I read along with the words! Cheers and Bravo!!! Also a great message, love the line about aging, exercising choice.
โค thanks, Helen! โค
-David
Very well done, David. You voiced my nervousness ( in much better words and poetic style) Loved your reading. โค๏ธ
It’s something that I never would have thought of doing if it hadn’t been for d’Verse and Ingrid, but I’m glad I did! Who knows? Maybe I’ll do it again some time… Would you?
โค
David
I too wouldnโt had done had it not been for dVerse and Ingrid and Merril as well. I am also glad I did.
I think I might, David. โค๏ธ๐
Oh my! Adorable. How cool is that!
I wouldnโt know where or how to record something to share. The conduit for it I donโt have it.
You guys are all amazing. Thanks for sharing David. Such cool voice. Such nice poem.
Iโll pass on this one.
๐ Selma ๐
Excellent โ well executed, well read.
๐ค Ron ๐ค
Very nice! I will try this, too. ๐
๐ค Jackie ๐ค – if you do, please share the link!
-David
Of course. xo
Nice!So thats how your voice sounds… anyways, nice poem, confronting your nervousness, and a fresh poetry style for me to write with!So thanks!
๐ Quaran ๐
Nice voice; great poem very well told.
๐ Misky ๐
So great to hear your voice, David! Good job!
๐ Merril ๐
๐๐๐ A standing ovation to you, David, for facing your nervousness, and providing us with a fine oral poem! Is this the first time you have recorded a poem and shared it here? It was great to hear your voice! My favourite line was:
‘Regret // is so slow to forget // where foolish outbursts take her’
– thank you for taking part ๐
yep ๐ณ this is the first time I’ve ever recorded a poem!
thanks, Ingrid!
In that case I am privileged! You should do it more often ๐
โค You bring out the best in me, Ingrid โค
Aww shucks, Davidโฆ