Poetry and Stories

[Kitty]

I wanted to share this neat audio recording by Gwendolyn Brooks, a poet who took inspiration from the people in her community. Years ago an English professor of mine had us study this poem called We Real Cool. It was published in 1960. This audio recording was taken in 1963. I thought it was so cool to hear her explain her poem and thereafter read it to us. She was an African American woman born in 1917 and she lived to the year 2000. I can't imagine the things she saw and lived through. Well, here she is reading We Real Cool. The words of the poem are in the description.

If you have any other poetry or stories that you'd like to share, go ahead! Isn't it neat hearing it read aloud by the author?

https://youtu.be/oaVfLwZ6jes

[Kitty]

I recently found this awesome book from 1921. It is written and illustrated by the man who created the Little Orphan Annie comic strip, and also Raggedy Ann. It's dedicated to poet James Whitcomb Riley, and his Little Orphant Annie poem is in the front.

IMG_20180406_220602058~01.jpg (2.72 MiB) Viewed 304 times

I had never, until last night, come across this poem. This is surprising, because it's apparently a pretty famous poem. It is amazing.

IMG_20180407_221328273~01.jpg (2.26 MiB) Viewed 304 times

Would you like to hear James Whitcomb Riley reciting his own poem in 1912? Your wish is granted due to the wonder if Wikipedia!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Anniecomp.ogg

What do you think of this wonderful poem?

[donnie]

I love the Gwendolyn Brooks recording.

And that's wonderful looking book, and thanks for the recording! I think it's fascinating to hear great poets read their own works. I had to follow along with the text in the photo to understand because of the sound degradation.

If I had had that poem read to me when I was young, I would have been scared – to – death.... I'd have been looking in every corner for those two black things.

Carl Sandburg is one of my very favorite poets, and I love the melodious sound of his voice and the expression he puts into his reading. Here he is talking some about poetry and reading some his poems for children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEyvURC_AVc

[donnie]

I recently found this awesome book from 1921. It is written and illustrated by the man who created the Little Orphan Annie comic strip, and also Raggedy Ann. It's dedicated to poet James Whitcomb Riley, and his Little Orphant Annie poem is in the front.

Just a note on this: the 1918 film Little Orphant Annie starring Colleen Moore has been restored and released on Blu-Ray/DVD. There is a great review on Lea's Silentology page. James Whitcomb Riley himself appears at the beginning and end of the film. I've ordered a copy, and am most anxious to see it.

[Kitty]

That is so cool!! I'd love to see that.

[donnie]

That is so cool!! I'd love to see that.

Some imagery of the film. Looks pretty good, doesn't it? I've ordered a copy—will write a review when I get around to watching it.

[Kitty]

Yay!! I need to watch that. Did I already say that?

[donnie]

Also, the score is by Ben Model.

[Kitty]

Um? What a charming bedtime story.

[donnie]

Um? What a charming bedtime story.

Wow, what grisly little ditty. Wherever did you dig that one up?