When I first got the syllabus, I looked at this poetry reading as more of a boring class assignment than what it really was; and it was NOTHING like a boring class assignment. I was reluctant to go to this recital in the first place. However, I forced myself to go. So, right after class I was walking around with my friends thinking how boring it would be when I get to the recital. Around 7 pm I finally hop on the train to get to the graduate center. Since it was my first time going there I was looking around for the “huge buildings with flags”. I couldn’t find it, so decided to ask this doorman, he said he does not know where it is, when the building was literally a block away from where we were standing.
I finally went in, nervously looking around for anyone I knew, but did not see anyone but my English 2100 prof. and later Prof. Kaufman, who kindly offered me her seat. After the recital started, first poem, I am really paying attention… The poem ended after about a minute the only thing that really grabbed my attention was how the lady read the poem. How clear and strong her voice was. How she was pacing herself perfectly. There was something entertaining about listening to her read, which was very different from when I read poems. Also, it was really commendable about how everyone respected the writer that passed away. I was also excited to hear my newly favorite poet Amiri Baraka and again when he read I was astonished by how well it sounded.
Even though It was entertaining but I was still frustrated about the fact that I could not follow the poetry readings as the rest of the audience. That is when this guy in a red shirt got up to do his reading. Before reading, he gave us a preface about what the reading was about, (a dog). When he was reading his poem, I understood the whole thing. There was such a joy in the air, it was unbelievable. I was actually laughing like everyone else at the right places.
Unfortunately, I had to leave after that but this was a great experience.
