Reaction to the Inaugural Poem from (EW) readers [by Ken Tucker]

Please note the largely negative response to Elizabeth Alexander's poem among the readers of the Entertainment Weekly blog. It surprises me primarily because most posts of this sort at EW--that is, non-pop-cult entries--don't usually provoke as many boldly-stated opinions. Not your typical assortment of literary critics, and interesting for just that reason...

Comments

[Bill C]

I was appalled at the negativity of the comments, as well. Perhaps they were expecting something with "Nantucket" in it?

[Rachel Barenblat]

I quite liked the poem, actually. I was struck by the poetry in the various benedictions and prayers (from Bishop Robinson's on Sunday to Reverend Lowery's today), and also by the prayerful qualities of Alexander's poem, which seemed to me rife with religious imagery of a world on the cusp of being mended.

I just put up a post about all of the above at Velveteen Rabbi, and am quite curious to see whether or not my (religion-oriented) readers will find talk of the inaugural poem interesting...

[Laura Orem]

Here's an interesting discussion of the poem from the NY Times "Opinionator" blog -
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/parsing-the-poem/

[DL]

Thank you, LO. I wonder whether the rhymes (yellow /mellow, red man / ahead man) were lifted from James Weldon Johnson.

[Laura Orem]

Here's another article from the Washington Post -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012003960.html?sid=ST2009012004037&s_pos=

There's a link to the text of the poem, too.

[Laura Orem]

I liked the poem more after reading it on the page. Perhaps the moment didn't allow for careful listening and reflection.

[Stacey]

I agree with you Laura. She was in a tough spot. I watched the inauguration at work with a bunch of people and as soon as Obama concluded his speech, people started to talk and drift away and I imagine that is what happened in many places.

[Steven Dube]

The reading of the poem was a bit herky jerky, but the poem itself was effective and dignified.

I especially liked - "In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun."

[DF]

Is it possible that the frustration over the poem at EW mirrors the envy of conservative voters who don't think they can join in wholeheartedly with the joy felt by much of the rest of the country?

I was underwhelmed by the poem, but I did my own and tried hard but don't think I succeeded.

[Carole Weatherford]

Readers might be interested in this Obama poem:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvZ1AaZOnQo