THE ART OF POETRY: Article on PopRocketPress

“The Frequency
of a Cuddle”
by EMELINA
inspired by a poem titled “Cuddle”
by Jerry von Schott

The Art of Poetry-Article written by Dan Seaman

Every poet has been given a wonderful gift – the ability to convey deep meaning through the written word. While each of us brings a different perspective to what we see, hear and feel, we all cannot help but be touched in some way by the poetic works of art. Often, the intrinsic emotions within poetry are even more beautifully expressed when spoken aloud. Whether the poem is somber or joyous, serious or playful, when it is read by the human voice, the soul’s voice within, it can evoke feelings within us that may otherwise remain untouched. Like a paintbrush in the hands of an artist, the voice can illustrate the beauty within each verse, painting an image upon the most expansive of canvases – the imagination. --The International Library of Poetry

THE SKINNY

In the early evening hours of each Friday, (exactly, the first three Fridays of the month at around 6 p.m.) Grayleaf Galleria on South Granite Street in downtown Prescott conjures this description into reality. It is a fairly brief conjuring – only one hour long – and features just two seasoned poets, but it is a conjuring, nonetheless. How else can one describe the emotion, the vision, the hope of two individuals being manifested right before your eyes?

THE PLAYERS
Those two individuals – local artist Emelina Figueroa and Grayleaf Galleria Director Jerry von Shott – had an interesting exchange and epiphany one day. Jerry had previously read one of his poems to Emelina… and it inspired Emelina to eventually create a painting. Then, the epiphany occurred. Why not have poets perform their work IN the gallery? No microphone. Just the poetry and the art… with people experiencing this blend of different mediums, as one. Then came the question of where to find the poets. That’s when I became involved in this
formula of artistic alchemy.

ROLL TITLE CREDITS

Sometime around 1996, I started attending Open Mics and reading my poems in front of people for the first time in my life. I’d been writing for years – I had even earned a degree in journalism from N.A.U. – but I’d never read my poems aloud. Through a series of events in my life and in town, I ended up hosting Open Mics, poetry “slams,” and special evenings of performance poetry coupled with jazz and blues musicians. The Prescott Area Poets Association (PAPA) subsequently formed, took different shapes and venues, and ultimately found a “permanent”
home at The M.A.D. Linguist in the McCormick Arts District. In the process, I met a LOT of poets… and they like Prescott!

THE PHONE CALL
“Hello. My name is Emelina and I heard you know poetry and professional poets…? We want to have poetry performed in the Grayleaf Galleria. It will be very simple with the poets, the art, and people just listening and looking around. Please call me and let me know if you’re interested, okay? Thank you so very much for your time and consideration!” I put it on my “get to it in a bit” calendar, but it had caught my attention.

SIDEBAR
I had hosted an Open Mic every week for 7 years (except for those wonderful nights when friends would perform the hosting duties). I put together audience judged “slams” for about as long. And, the coup de grace was a state poetry festival that went on from 2001-2007. Frankly, I’d run out of steam and promotional juice, so I took a hiatus from it all. That hiatus has come to an end.

THE MEET
I stopped by the gallery a few days later… just to talk… that was all… just talk. I had no expectations, was ready to walk away with no commitment, and was willing to be blunt, upfront and totally candid about all the drawbacks of putting together a weekly poetry event – particularly in an art gallery with limited seating capacity. Yet, in that openness of willing comment, I also realized that performing poetry was just what I needed…more now, than ever. I was met by bright, inquisitive, enthusiastic eyes and ears that listened to what I had to say – the good and the bad of dealing with poets, venues, schedules, and with me. They (I was told by Emelina and Jerry) would handle all promotions, press contacts and the making of arrangements to see it through…if I would provide the poets. Deal!

WONDER OF THE I-NET

Within a few hours I had sent out an e-blast to poets who had performance experience, some of whom I had seen for their “poetry virgin on the mic!”reading, back when I first began hosting. “It’s a non-paying gig,” I told them.“If you have merchandise to sell, you are welcome to do so. I have a place for you to crash, and a few bucks for a brew or cup o’ joe.” And, within a few days
I had received confirmations from several of them: Peter “Applesauce” Dorsey (Flagstaff), Kathy Parker (Prescott), Christopher Fox Graham, Wendy Harford (Sedona), Ms. Wisdom, The Klute, Shawnte Orion, and Terran Randolph (Phoenix).

STAGE IS SET
The Art of Poetry Series has been rolling along now for a couple months. The initial reading with me and Peter Dorsey was (admittedly) lightly attended, yet it gave us all a chance to feel out the parameter and various logistical issues that are present, anytime one begins something new. Since that first night, the series has had growing interest and attendance…which is all we can
hope for in such an endeavor. The 2009 calendar is now being established with the first three Fridays of the month designated as Art of Poetry event nights, with the fourth Friday reserved for ArtWalk. On those months with a “5th” Friday, we’ll all just take a little break. The whole process has evolved into an easy-going, no frills, no pressure no hype kind of gig. Like the creation of a work of art, the preliminary decision is which medium the artist will utilize…what
follows, is simply a summoning of ideas - like the magic of that first brush stroke on canvas.
Stop by and see it when it happens sometime. The Art of Poetry Series at Grayleaf Galleria
is intended to include each person as an active element of an artful process… but first, you have to be there for that to happen. See you on Fridays!

clilck on the link to go to the pdf version of this article published on

PopRocket Press January 2009 edition

With Love,

EMELINA

http://www.efineartz.com/