Kenney absorbs audience with new poetry
Kenney ends his poems in such a way so as to throw his audience off-guard; when listening to a poem written by this poet, surprise is constant and dullness is rare. Although some members of the crowd seemed taken aback, this was his intention, and he succeeded completely.
Kenney's poetry features a few other traits that separate it from everyday fare. The wordsmith often juxtaposes complicated vocabulary with simple phrases or colloquial speech. This distinct method makes the poet's work catchy, memorable and wholly interesting.
Furthermore, the man's scholarship is very evident; there are various allusions to great literary works; he borrows a line from Robert Burns's "To a Mouse" when he begins a poem with "The best-laid plans of mice and men/often go awry." Multiple references were also made to Ovid's Metamorphoses, not to mention the fact that these are only works he chose to read before the audience.
Finally, something should be said of the presentation of these wonderful poems, because it was, after all, a reading by the author. Kenney appeared before his audience in a green tweed blazer, wearing a very academic blue shirt-maroon tie combination. With his glasses perched on his nose, he read his poetry with understated zeal; his passion was evident, and he didn't have to struggle to make it known.
The subtlety with which Kenney read his work attributed to the overall mood: one of suspense, quiet admiration and thoughtful reflection; he proved himself to be both a master of words and of their deliverance.
Kenney's poetry features a few other traits that separate it from everyday fare. The wordsmith often juxtaposes complicated vocabulary with simple phrases or colloquial speech. This distinct method makes the poet's work catchy, memorable and wholly interesting.
Furthermore, the man's scholarship is very evident; there are various allusions to great literary works; he borrows a line from Robert Burns's "To a Mouse" when he begins a poem with "The best-laid plans of mice and men/often go awry." Multiple references were also made to Ovid's Metamorphoses, not to mention the fact that these are only works he chose to read before the audience.
Finally, something should be said of the presentation of these wonderful poems, because it was, after all, a reading by the author. Kenney appeared before his audience in a green tweed blazer, wearing a very academic blue shirt-maroon tie combination. With his glasses perched on his nose, he read his poetry with understated zeal; his passion was evident, and he didn't have to struggle to make it known.
The subtlety with which Kenney read his work attributed to the overall mood: one of suspense, quiet admiration and thoughtful reflection; he proved himself to be both a master of words and of their deliverance.
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Jordan
posted 11/18/08 @ 9:48 AM EST
Dear Greg,
This article is about the poet Richard Kenney, not Robert Kenney (see first line), right?
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