Thursday, March 26, 2009

Poetry and Politics

At last night's Poetic Principles reading at the Virginia Museum, the audience was treated to the pleasure of hearing Peter Orner read.

Orner is a Chicago native who grew up in a politically-inclined family.

Naturally, this turned him off to politics for many years, until he realized that Chicago politics, in particular, was some pretty interesting stuff.

His political poems commented on the state of the city's politicians, while offering insight into the peculiar nature of these people, good and bad.

Orner's perspective is unique; he got a law degree, tried one case and lost and decided to go back to what he knew: writing.

Which is fortunate for those of us who are readers and listeners, as the small group last night sat enthralled to the man's voice and words.

When everything in your life is a wreck, poetry can make it all feel better.

That's poetic principle number one.

I;m still trying to figure out what the others are. Give me time...and a whole lot more poetry.

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