Peoples reaction to a poem

[Séamus]

There is a piece of mine in particular which I have now performed on about three or four occasions it's called "You can't fucking kill me" it has suicidal images and is extremely graphic and gory.

I would like some feed back from those of you who have heard it because I haven't had that much (from fellow poets I mean) but have been very suprised by audience members reactions many of them have said they loved it. When I wrote it I was actually chringing at the thought of reading it and for a while was not going to but like I said it but people seem to love.

The first time I did it was to a relitivility big crowd in the Pavilion in Mid Feburary and was really surprised at the number of people praising it I really had thought a lot of people would be shocked by it (part of the reason why I wrote it) Maybe if I write more love poems I'll get a better reaction next time. People it seems are not as soft as I thought!

So please fellow artists who have heard me perform this piece let me know what you thought!

[clareffic]

I believe this one of your most powerful works Seamus. It is all the more poignant for your fellow poets and maybe this is why we haven't given you much feedback. I cried when I heard you perform it, the sheer intensity of feeling it conveys is astonishing. It is interesting that you describe it as a love poem, for it certainly does not speak to me in that way. For me it is an explanation of the antithesis of love, apathy. A will to not extend yourself because you are already dead. It evokes pity, anger, helplessness, disgust, empathy and compassion simultaneously. I find myself getting lost inwardly into thoughts of my own selfish self in the middle of it and returning back to listen for any answers you have for me. The effect on myself will no doubt be affected by my unique and treasured relationship I have with you, and my disagreement with the premise of the poem, you are more alive to me than you know. I would like to read it from the page, for because it causes me to muse so much I have missed parts of it.

[Séamus]

I never said it was a love poem Clare what I meant was that if people did not get shocked by it then maybe love poems will shock them!

[clareffic]

Ohh, ok, thank god for that then

[Séamus]

I have been sitting here for an hour and a half musing if I should even post this poem but since it is being discussed I feel it only right. It can (I have discovered today to my delight)
also be performed as a full blown rap, I initially thought the lines were too long and language too rich but I tried several times and it works it was however written as a performance piece keep this in mind when reading the page does it no justice. Will post it on new thread since I been slobbering so much!

[silverfox]

The poem is just perfect the way it is.

It is daring, as your words echo a deafly defiant statement that most people will find in themselves at one stage or another will happen to them or someone they know. It's the whole hitting your head against a brick wall and the brick wall is the person reading the poem.

I don't think there is any need of feedback. It works. It shocks, and it rocks my socks

'nuff said

[Brian Bailey]

I haven't heard it mate I don't think but I'm certain that you would deliver it with all your customary va va voooooooooooom elan, brio and braGGADOCCIO. rOCK ON MATE.