Favorite Poets: Dorothy Parker

Maybe this is self-indulgent of me, as there's no reason to think others want to hear me read poetry at them. But hey, I figure nobody *has* to watch this, right? It's something I'll enjoy doing, and maybe it'll get a teensy bit of exposure for a few of my favorite writers.

Unfortunately, I do have one correction to make of my reading. I messed up one line of "Interior". The line is: "Her mind lives tidily, apart/ From cold and noise and *pain*," but what I said was "From cold and noise and *rain*." It was my only textual slip, though, and I'm happy with the rest of how I read, so I'm keeping this take.

Why did I choose Dorothy Parker first? Because her bitingly romantic wit always makes me smile. Her verse has this lovely play of sensitivity and bravado, while also being readily approachable. Her writing is both a heartwrending craft and a time-passing game, making it always new, surprising, and delicious. Her word choice, rhythm and tone are artful yet natural, and wholly without pretension. I am so grateful that her sardonic lilting was left behind for folk like me to enjoy. Ms. Parker, you were awesome. Brava!


Also, if you'd like to hear more interpretations of Ms. Parker, check out additional renditions done by friends and I here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=43D823F43455B167

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• poems
• poetry
• dorothy
• parker

[immayyo]

I'm Thai

I just know Parker from "The Sexes" and wanna read her works more.

I'd like to thank you for your video. I'll try to read poems.

[pmcrimson]

Awesome! Always glad to help fans find more of her work. Still need to read her prose myself.

[peppermintpaddy]

thank you for that!you gotta love dorothy!by the way,men seldom make passes at girls with big asses!

[pmcrimson]

Lol, glad you like it! I like your wit!

[dw053408]

Sounds like every episode of King Of Queens

[pmcrimson]

Hahah, wow, I'm going to have to watch a few more episodes of King of Queens with that in mind. I don't think I'd ever have made that connection.

Thanks for the comment!

[genevaperez71]

You are so hot call me @ 1-503-719-5024.G.

[pmcrimson]

Ooh, thanks for the recommendations, and sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. YouTube has been a little funky lately about keeping me up to speed on comments.

[janeausten666]

Well, I'm glad that you have made it =)

mmm and I think I like a lot of poems of her

but some of my favorites are

"What shall we do?" "You will forget me" (this I luv) also, "Angel or demon"

well and many many others

I hope you read it someday and tell me what you think =P

[pmcrimson]

Nope, I've never heard of Ella Wheeler Wilcox. I love finding new poets, though, so I'll definitely check her out. Any particular poems by her your favorite?

I'm so glad you liked the video!