When I think of the recitation of poetry, I think of Garrison Keillor–and not in a good way, I’m afraid. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
While building my Pinterest board for Deceptive Cadence, I found this video, featuring the Irish actor Fionnula Flanagan reciting a piece called “The Emigrant Irish” by Dublin-born poet Eavan Boland. If you want to experience how a poem can truly come alive with the right mode of expression, and a little music and choreography, watch this. If for nothing else, watch it merely to get a glimpse at the beautiful, bold and fearless face of Fionnula. I think she’d be perfectly cast in the role of Conor McBride’s mother, Brigid. There are a few phrases of preface about “home” before the poem begins with “Like oil lamps…” It blends together so seamlessly, I didn’t realize at first that it wasn’t part of the verse itself.
