poetry politix

read a review the other day. it was about a poetry show in canada. the bill listed some dope poets and performers from the US and from Canada. unfortunately, all the reviewer could talk about was the sex appeal of the poets. she never showed one ounce of interest in the literary value of these professional poets, but made sure she memorized the sweat and bend and innuendo and moistness of her under garments.

herein lies our problem. poets that tour for a living are put in a position where their words and actions are taken to mean the same thing. if they get on the mic and speak about fidelity then get off stage and have an illustruous affair with a nameless faceless audience member -- they would be considered a hypocrite at the least. but, it seems the sword cuts both ways. the same poets, that we condemn for sleeping around are the poets who are frowned upon when declining advances. during a conversation with two poets, i being the only female, i was astounded to hear them say its worse for a women poet to sleep around rather than a male poet (arugement note: wrong because a woman could end up pregnant 5 states later and not know how the father is. but a man who gets someone pregnant doesn't have the same responsiblity *gasp* therefore his actions are less horrendous). i feel the blame should be placed regardless of gender. the responsiblity lies on the adults involved. it relies on the poets who pose as a different individual on stage and live as another person off stage.

this is not an argument about humans and their flaws. flaws -- are perfect. i can dig those. its the manipulation of words and the persons who know how to use it against the masses. in my argument with the male poets on that long commuter's drive, i debated the role that male poets played and the fact that they took advantage of the unsuspecting women listeners. now i am NOT saying all women in the audience are naive and innocent. i have watched women back talk and back track and slither their way around in hopes of sleeping with a poet. but i also feel, these men; as unavailable and happy at home as they might lead a women to believe during poems 2, 3 and 4; have a responsiblity to their partner and to their fans and more importantly -- to their work. if you say you are all about loving one woman, and you bed 3 women during your tour overseas - then you are not the man you portray in these poems.

but, if you play the game. serenade women after the show. go for drinks, hang out, party -- become intimate -- you may receive a great review from someone who rather bed you than respect you.

as poets and lovers of the art form, we have to start appreciating our writers for their dedication to the art. its unfair to them and its unfair to the legacy of work that is written for our learning, enjoyment and enrichment. these same poets that were glorified for their sex appeal, i wonder -- how would they feel if their words were undressed and panted over...