Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY Thursday, September 7, 197: Page Two THE MiCHIGAN DAILY Thursday, Sepfember 7, 1972 magical noise in vocal poetry By GLORIA JANE SMITH Supplement Co-Editor You undoubtedly remember hating poetry during your ear- ly school years . . . tedious lec- tures that ripped poems apart word-by-word in order to ex- hibit a disciplined metric pat- tern or an intricate rhyme scheme? Often overlooked then was the most obvious - that poetry is written to be enjoyed, to be tasted and relished, to be fully experienced. "There is an irrational magi- cal noise to poetry that distin- guishes it from prose," explains Donald Hall, nationally known poet and professor of English at the University. "You've got to be able to hear the magic . . . to plant the poet's voice in your head," he emphasizes. Almost every Tuesday after- noon this fall, amid the sterile and dismal walls of the Multi- purpose Room of the Under- graduate Library, such aesthetic discoveries will be realized when both nationally famous and lo- cally admired poets present their works. These poets usually face a crowded room of listeners, many of whom travel from surround- ing communities as far away as Detroit for the readings. Once 'on stage' poets usually not on- ly read their poetry but also answer questions about their personal lives and philosophies and their work. These readings, co-sponsored by the University's English de- partment and its Extension Ser- vice, are part of what appears to be a growing national de- mand for poetry readings at universities. For not only has poetry itself become "vogue" but the desire to listen to poetry has increased. "Today, there is more atten- tion to sound," explains Hall, 'and not so much emphasis on a poem's visual appearance on the written page." "Poetry is definitely more oral. More poets are giving readings and many are impro- vising while they read." In the late fifties, two poets read each year on this campus. while now the poetry series brings at least ten poets to the University each term. The gradual growth of the series, sparked by English Prof. !Bert Hornback, has been mostly in response to student interest. Hornback began to expand the series about four years ago. At that time, poetry readings were sponsored entirely by the English department. This made it financially impossible to at- tract a large number of good poets, many of whom support themselves by their work. The series eventually received additional financial support from various local groups and individuals, which enabled it to expand. The series has also been able literary journals sustain cretvt , i Exotic & herb teas Cookbooks Whole bean coffees Herbs & spices Fondue pots Ice cream makers All manner of exquisite cookware at PC & 415 a Far DETROIT ST. across from mer's Market to feature poets otherwise fi- nancially impossible by coordi- nating their efforts with other universities and 'Poetry: Ann Arbor,' a groupithat schedules poets to read in local public schools. Included in last year's sched- ule were University professors Donald Hall, Robert Hayden, Robert Stillwell and Radcliffe Squires, as well as poets Ted Berrigan, Donald Justice, Mil- ton Kessler, Galway Kinnel, John Logan and Jack Marshall. The schedule for this fall is not yet finalized, although Horn- back predicts that Donald Hall, Robert Hayden and Galway Kin- nel will read. Check with the English dept. and the Daily Of- ficial Bul11e t in for definite - schedule. Poets are also brought to the University by various other campus groups, such as the Writer-in-Residence p r o gram which most recently sponsored ecology - conscious zen poet Gary Snyder and Robert Bly. hopwood awards For over forty years, students at the University have had the opportunity to be generously rewarded for their creative writ- ing talents by the Avery Hop- wood and Jule H o p w o o d Awards. The contest was first held in 1931, three years after the death of prominent American drama- tist Avery Hopwood ('05). Under the terms of his will, Hopwood bequeathed one-fifth of his estate to the Regents of the University for encouraging creative work in writing. :7 U I "The new, the unusual, and the radical shall be especially encouraged," Hopwood wrote. The Regents, at a meeting in 1930, a p p r o v e d regulations which authorized the distribu- tion of prize money as major and minor awards. The contest, open to students of University c o m p o s i- tion courses who submit manu- scripts of drama, essay, fiction, and poetry, is scheduled once each year. There are also two s m a 1 1 e r underclassmen and summer contests. Manuscripts are' read by a panel of judges of national reputation. Recommendations are made to a University com- mittee of judges who make the final decisions concerning awards. Last year, t h e awards amounted to $25,500. Past recipients of the awards include Betty Smith who wrote "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," Maritta Wolf who wrote "Whis- tle Stop," and playwright Ar- thur Miller. Have a flair forc artistic writing III If you are interest- ed in reviewing drama, dance,fl, poetrt and ausic, stories about the arts: Contact Arts Editor, c/o The Michigan Daily. I a ~ ai~ By BARBARA BIALICK How does a student retain creativity in spite of vast amounts of homework? For.those inclined to writing, a good idea is to keep in touch with the campus literary jour- nals. Besides some upcoming publications, Anon, Michigan Quarterly Review, and Genera- tion are best known. Each has its own format and appeal, val- uable to know for those who may want to submit manu- scripts. Anon is the English depart- ment's annual journal whose goal is to print "unpublished poetry" from the University community. Most of those pub- lished are teaching fellows, pro- fessors, and winners of the Uni- versity's Hopwood Writing Con- test. This year's edition in- cludes mostly poetry, with one long story at the end. There ap- pears to be no set theme, al- though some of the work fits into categories of nostalgia, gimmic poems, the mind, and generalities on student life. The poetry is generally more con- cerned with thought than with the sensuous qualities of words; this "thought" is often too gen- eral to be thoroughly under- stood. Anon is pleasant to look through even though there is scant art work and the print looks like typing. The journal is good exposure for new writ- ers. The Michigan Quarterly Re- view, edited by University En- glish professor and poet Rad- cliffe Squires, is a different kind of journal. There are no draw- ings, and the words are print. ed professionally on fine paper. It includes fiction,-critical es- says, book reviews, and verse by notable professors, editors, and authors. It's probably untouch- able to newcomers. A quick look at the Spring 1972 issue reveals that there are more insightful sketches of people than the works included in Anon. The language is more academic and spans subjects that have not only linguistic but historioal meaning. The authors do not merely talk about memory, but rather write polished pieces composed of things remember- ed. The concern with symbolism and with such discussions as "Poet as Philosopher: Robert Frost" (John Morris), make the journal good reading, but an unlikely place for newcomers to be published. Of the three, Generation is the most easily accessible for student writers. It is composed of drawings, photos, and a va- riety of writings. Past editions have been pleasant to look through, although the caliber of writing. often fell. below Anon. (except when professor- writers were solicited.) The last issue of Generation reflects not only financial problems, but misunderstandings 4 e t w ,e e' n staff and editors concerning what would be printed. More important, the amount of ma- terial submitted was too small to make an adequate selection. 4 Right now, Generation hangs suspended between existence and non-existence. If an in- spired group of people get to- gether this year,; Generation can build back ifts reputation. Someone has to organize the journal, but most of all, the writers have to create and send in manuscripts to the Genera- tion office in the Student Pub- lications Building, 420 May- nard. A fine collection of other lit- erary journals can be found in the University's Hopwood Room, 1006 Angell Hall, open Monday through Friday from 8-12 and from 1-5. At the round table, riot knights but lovers of words peruse .the clutter of national and international joutnals. There are also books which can be signed out, a ,cabinet of prize-winning Hopwood 'nanu- scripts, and comfortable chairs. The secretary,' Hilda; Bonham, will try to answer your ques- tions about writing contests. During fall and winter, there are inspirational tea and cook- ies served on Thursdays 3,45. All curious and hungry are wel- come. .ea.-da Woma YPSILANTI for FINE ITALIAN AND AMERICAN FOOD COCTAIL LOUNGE AND ENTERTAINMENT NOW APPEARING: WYNN & JOHN 483-3027 Carry Out Service on Entire Menu 11 W. MICHIGAN AYE. YPSILANTI I 0. - -- -U { ..I ...... .... .P .NN li '1 I vi :E E V -immma- A.A.C.T. Proudly Presents Its 43rd Season Oct. 4-7 FORTY CARATS I Nov. 29-Dec. 2 ANYTHING GOES Jan. 17-20 THE LION IN WINTER A light hearted French view of the problems of love across the generations. The classic musical c o m e d y about improbable doings on an ocean liner in the 30's. A struggle for control of the destiny of Medieval England. The universal conflict between s t r o n g men and determined women. Three pickpockets, in masquer- ade, a palatial home and young love. A powerful story of a dominat- ing teacher and her influence over a group of girls in pre-war England. Announces Mass Meetings Sept. 11-14 201 MULHOLLAND (off W. Washington behind the housing commission office) 7:30 P.M. -11:00 P.M. 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