Sharon Olds reading two poems at the Dodge Poetry Festival 9/26/08

[kingalthe1st]

her poems about giving hed and getting facialized are much better.

[YoungEscapist]

look at my language

look at these words

did you hear me say "nib"

you couldn't have missed it

I'll make sure of that

look at my poetry

[YoungEscapist]

go read some Bukowski

[LeaveLancaster]

drydock for the boat not taken

[cly2fan]

this is my favorite poem in the world i love it. i am a poet and i would love to write a poem like that someday

[ronjohnson81]

hahaha i love this 'nyrfan3093' comment - "poetry is the gayest thing ever and serves no purpose to society." ...because hockey serves such an important purpose in society. it's comforting to know, however, that poets challenge people's beliefs so much that they must spew their self-hate onto the internet. ignorance is the only reason for such anger. if you're comfortable with yourself, then you won't need to hate the honest work of others...stop lying to yourself and admit you're a human being.

[nyrfan3093]

not funny at all...poetry is the gayest thing ever and serves no purpose to society

[66andrew66]

That was awesome!

[topossessautumn]

eye crust, flatulence, smegma, skid marks, boogers, nail clippings and scabs.

also, fuck you the guy who said that shit

shit youre ignorant as shit if youcant appreciate this 'shitty' poem which is actually the shit ;

[blairtoo]

i hate to say this - because i love this lady - but she reminds me of ted kooser wearing a wig.

thank you and good night.

[OscarLimaMike]

Some people obviously can't handle shit... poor precious little creatures.

[alsotheyrowed]

@xenakiddle What's desperate and weak about sharing a commonality in shit? Shit, like blood and sweat, is a naturally occurring substance that, for some reason, is socially stigmatized as disgusting and undesirable. We find shit to be a fault. When dismantled by the composting toilet, it becomes something for the most beautiful features of the natural world to rejoice in. IMHO I don't really think the thought that human flaws enrich the earth is either of the things you've categorized it as...

[mbagge]

Olds is a national treasure and these readings make clear why. She is precise with language without taking herself too seriously. The negative comments below are silly, petty and pious. And crap.

[eyeon15]

She's so good. Not trying to be "edgy." Just putting together, with raunchy humor, low&hi language, ecology, our biological unity despite all the differences we takes so seriously, life & death - kid & adult level, serious & silliness -- all in under 3 minutes with laughter as a bonus. If you don't like her, fine. Each to his/her own. She's still good - no shit.

[unsaid78]

loved this.  loved her. I Ode to a Composting toilet was hilarious!

[charlottepoet]

i'm surprised at the negative comments but poetry is subjective.

these gave me a great laugh!

[xenakiddle]

Sharon Olds: PLEASE stop reading Neruda and PLEASE stop writing odes.

This was painful to listen to. Not because it's edgy but because it's so weak and and screams "I WANT TO BE EDGY!". I fully expected her to squat down on the floor for an encore.

[BERSERKERpoetry]

You know it's self-indulgent poetry festival trash when they start writing about shit.

[MILLTICKET7]

ha ha ha everbody shits LOL