Colorado Poets Center E-Words Issue #14
Inside issue #14:
Poetry & History in Loveland
M. D. Friedman, Jared Smith, and Denver-based performance poet SETH, are three Colorado poets who were asked to participate in the Loveland Museum and Gallery’s “History Composed,” a “poetry guided tour” for the month of April. Historically a staff decision, the idea was originated this year by history-curator Jennifer Cousino.
Each of the poets selected three artifacts from the Museum’s permanent exhibits, taking notes on the backgrounds and history of each one. They then wrote a poem to accompany each artifact.
There were three formal walk-through tours featuring the poets live and the poems were available via phone numbers through the month of April. They will now go into the permanent exhibits at the Museum through a phone box which people can step into and select the poem they wish to hear.
“This is a remarkably creative and intense experience to be involved with,” said Jared Smith, “and the poems that come out of it are going to be very strong with deep historic roots reaching into the life of Colorado.” M. D. Friedman reported it was “A fascinating project….It made me think about what the purpose of being a poet was back when poets were highly valued members of society.”
Friedman has made available the flyer and the phone numbers for each poem. We tried it, and it works! See his info at: http://www.poetscoop.org/HistoryComposed2011.pdf
