Pages

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

What is a Voice Poem?

At its heart, a voice poem is about this nebulous term we know as "voice."  The easiest way I've found to think of this is to imagine the voices of people I've met and picking apart the interesting differences that come out.  Unfortunately, this can be harder than it sounds - most of the people we know and hang out with speak the same way we do.  They are interested in the same topics, and they often hold the same views and opinions.  And this is somewhat natural.  Just think about chemistry: we're kinda the lipids in olive oil doing our best to avoid the wrong-headed vinegar peeps in our lives.


When I think of voice, I have to picture the people I've met who wouldn't have normally become close friends of mine.  And I've been fortunate - in the military, I met Americans from all walks of life, including many who were born overseas and then decided to enlist.  Yet their voices were distinctly different from the people I've met while traveling in Germany, and they are vastly different from the voice of my girlfriend, who grew up in Thailand and has only lived in the U.S. for a short time.

To a large degree, the different "voices" I hear in reference these friends are usually a product of accent.  But we need to go deeper than mere accent - deeper even than common phrases.  For example, while on R&R from Afghanistan (in 2005), I went to Germany.  One conversation I had was with a student visiting the Cologne Cathedral.  We talked for a bit about me being an American tourist, about the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict, and a bit about her thoughts on World Youth Day.  But then she asked what I did for a living - I told her I was "a soldier in the most popular army in the world" (and I said this in German).  And that killed the conversation.

As you can imagine, the American Army was not very popular in Europe at the height of the Iraq War.  And the way the girl fell silent would be an essential element of her voice if we were to write a poem from her perspective regarding the war.  It might go something like this:
I met a soldier
American.
He seemed nice,
but he would, wouldn't he?
All Americans do.
There's just a touch of sarcasm, and a large degree of disinterest.  It wouldn't be that this voice hates Americans or even the war - this voice doesn't really care to think much about them.  They only "seem" nice.

Compare to if we were to switch voices to the American perspective - same situation, same event, different voice:
I met a girl today,
German.
Cute,
long hair,
pretty.

Never should have said
who I am.
You see right away that the speaker here has very different intentions - he's hoping for something.  But then it changes - there's this loneliness at the end, something we don't expect from someone hitting on a girl, especially not from this image we might have of "the soldier on leave."

Something important to note is the way a voice poem can be nuanced.  In the second poem, I pointed out the two differing feelings affecting the narrator.  We have some of this in the first poem as well, but it isn't as strong.  The female narrator is not exploring her own feelings much, and that, too, is a product of voice.  To this narrator, this isn't a scene isn't worth evaluating - she met someone not worth meeting.  It won't change her life.  If we wanted a poem where this meeting would change her life, we'd have to change the voice somewhat:
I have heard
that the Americans
want only oil.

Why, then, do they smile?
Say "Hello"
like they mean it?

Should I worry?
 Again - same situation.  Friendly, smiling American meets a German girl who doesn't want to talk with him.  But now we have a different take, and the voice is different.  This female narrator isn't dismissive - she's concerned.  Wary.  It changes the tone a great deal.

Now that we have these three examples, I'd like you to notice that the language is relatively unchanged from poem-to-poem.  They are written in a very flat, colloquial English.  But this makes sense - each one is written in my own personal style, with little variation between them.  The language is not the critical component of voice in a voice poem.  If anything, a flatter style can allow the voice to come through more clearly.  Let's turn back to our happy American - what if wrote in an "Army" style?
So I met this chick
out on leave.

Real nice girl.

Shoulda never told her
what I do.
In this poem, there's no hint of loneliness - this narrator only wants something, and he's disappointed that he didn't get it.  Lonely, though?  Doesn't sound like it.  The way he talks about the girl - "this chick" and "real nice girl" - shows that he's pretty much dismissed her intellectually.  And this is important - it reveals his voice.  It's the same poem as before, but the changing language has radically altered the meaning.

I hope this helps clarify what voice poems are and how they work.  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail or leave a comment below.

Ryan

93 comments:

  1. People seeking for writing services always look for such individuals which has proven record of satisfying people. From business relations to education purpose, its time to visit www.grabmyessayonline.com/essay-writers website for getting paper writing services for your papers. Your satisfaction is our priority :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just has written some daily news that i would definitely comfortably label fantastic! But, because of last past experiences Appraisal in no way achieve this free of to begin with using a professional rushessay reviews. Could there really be a website and / or system that might achieve this in my circumstances?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it is the feeling the essayist is attempting to directing through like a pitiful ballad, a cheerful lyric, and so forth.

    click here

    ReplyDelete
  4. Add glamour to your persona by body building. Crazy Bulk announces the online sale of legal steroid, that is good to boost the personality and boost the health. Crazy bulk review recommends longer use of supplement can give you enduring result.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is great. It helps me to give some ideas how to suprise my mother tho.

    Website Design Company

    ReplyDelete
  6. In 1898 six of her photographs were chosen to be exhibitedOld School New Body review at the first Philadelphia Photographic Salon,

    old school new body f4x reviews where she exhibited under the name Eva Lawrence Watson. It was through this exhibition that she became acquainted with Alfred Stieglitz,
    Steve & Becky Old School New Body review who was one of the judges for the exhibit. One year later she was elected as a member of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great article. Thanks for sharing. This is really helpful to me. I appreciate your effort. Looking forward to reading more articles of yours.
    Have a look at Veterans Day 2016 if you want to know about veterans day,
    which is one of the most important holidays in the U.S and why is it celebrated. Stay updated with all the latest information.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Healthy eating is a way of balancing the food you eat to keep your body strong, energized, and well nourished. Healthy eating and drinking are the best things you can do for yourself. A healthy lifestyle is about eating well, feeling good and enjoying the food that you eat.
    buy essay online cheap

    ReplyDelete
  9. Honestly preserve in thoughts U.S. And that we can money your check extraordinarily brief amount with a awfully low price.
    check casher New Castle

    ReplyDelete
  10. Not all are true. Everyone has their own way of thinking but I think they have to reconsider. I like to argue for the most accurate results.
    fivenightsatfreddysplay.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Printable January 2018 Calendars With Holidays UK- We provide editable and vibrant 2018 January Calendar UK. january 2018 calendar printable canada Our collection is composed of templates in a variety of formats such as Word and PDF.

    ReplyDelete

  12. Hi
    Enjoying during read your blog, It Trusts you like your blog. this blog is a good information, the same Mcafee.com live blog, I am Writing to this blog. I hope you got a lot of help from this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello, dear
    I need to peruse your blog. There is a ton of good data on this blog, I adored understanding it and I figure individuals will get a great deal of help from this blog. Sam, I have composed this sort of blog, you will get an administration and Support from this as well. I trust you like this (AOL Support Phone Number) blog, Users will get a great deal of data from this blog. I trust you get a great deal of Fully bolster and assistance from this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here. Cloud Technology

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just wanted to mention keep up the good job! http://www.negerijudi.info I think this is a real great article.Thanks Again. http://www.markasdomino.info

    ReplyDelete
  16. I truly appreciate this article post.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic. http://www.negerijudi.org I think this is a real great article.Thanks Again. http://www.pokerasia77.info

    ReplyDelete
  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  18. Dear admin, first of all, thank you so much for sharing such useful information with us, I really like your writing style, you are doing such amazing work and your information is very useful for me, I have also something here to share. norton.com/setup
    www.norton.com/setup, Norton product key

    ReplyDelete
  19. Watch Endless Movies, TV Programs & Acquire Free Shipping Benefits by primevideo.com/mytv. Watch Latest & Exclusive Hollywood, Bollywood Movies, TV & Family-friendly by simple to use Parental Directions and a dedicated kids page, enjoy safe, ad-free children entertainment. Ad-free. Cheap Data Usage. Various Devices HD. If you have any queries related to Prime Video Visit Website and get a solution instantly
    Read more…

    ReplyDelete


  20. Your post is very helpful and information is reliable. I am satisfied with your post. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post.
    office.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  21. I just wanted to say that I love every time visiting your wonderful post! Very powerful and have true and fresh information.Thanks for the post and effort! Please keep sharing more such a blog.
    office.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  22. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing! Know about Garmin GPS update.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lovely blog. Thanks for sharing with us.This is so useful.garmin update maps


    ReplyDelete
  24. On the off chance that this is just for advancement, isn't it better to keep up a key decent ways from framework wide establishment by utilizing?

    hulu com activate code

    hulu error code

    hulu device code

    hulu error code p-dev320

    hulu com activate code

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am very interested in this article, Thank you so much for sharing such a article.www.hulu.com/activate device

    ReplyDelete
  26. GOOD post. Thanks for sharing this awesome post.hp printer on wps pin

    ReplyDelete
  27. HP Solution Center is a built-in software for HP printers that comes with HP Printer drivers for PC. To know more about this give us a visit at HP Solution Center.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! This is my first comment here, so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading your blog. It is rather a hassle-free process. But, yes, sometimes Garmin Express Update users may faces certain issues. Connectivity issues are one of the most common issues that users face. If you are also wonder, why Garmin express update, then this piece of blog will provide a nice insight. We are available 24x7!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Shop for the best fitness trackers band under 5000 to get your fitness routine on track and get your health and body in shape. best fitness band in india under 5000

    ReplyDelete

  30. I really happy found this website eventually. Really informative and inoperative, Thanks for the post and effort! Please keep sharing more such blog.youtube.com/activate

    ReplyDelete


  31. More impressive Blog!!! Its more useful for us...Thanks for sharing with us...youtube.com/activate


    ReplyDelete
  32. Get modelling jobs, freelance actors jobs, anchoring jobs, bloggers jobs, influencers jobs, rappers jobs, singers jobs easily and become an artists. jobs for actor

    ReplyDelete
  33. Gift your superhero a unique gift with some thoughtful gift item. Buy gifts for your parents, gift for grandpa, gifts for your brother etc. gifts for grandpa

    ReplyDelete
  34. One stop for meme lovers. Get all the viral, trending memes at one place. Get all the latest updates on upcoming web series in India and get their feedback. viral news in hindi

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi! this is nice article you shared with great information. Thanks for giving such a wonderful informative information. I hope you will publish again such type of post. Also, please check out about PayPal Customer Service | Webroot.com/secure.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Amazon is the biggest e-commerce website around the world which also comes up with amazon tv to stream movies and tv shows online. To know more details feel free to visit us at amazon.com/mytv.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Fmovies is one of the best websites to watch or download the latest movies and tv shows for free. To know give us a visit to our blog about fmovies.
    Cricut is a cutting machine, mostly used for craftmanship and interior design. To know more details about how to setup Cricut machine visit us at cricut.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  38. To resolve any error that one might come across during or after Microsoft office can be resolve through the help of the https://sites.google.com/view/officecomssetup/home web portal. Visit us at your earlier convenience to get the best assistance in a minimal amount of time through the best associates in Microsoft.
    Are you having trouble while going for Hp printer setup? you do not need to worry from now on. As we came up with this amazing blog that will guide you through all of the steps required for HP printer setup. You just need to give us a visit at https://sites.google.com/view/123hpcomprintersetups, all of your queries must be resolved there.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Nice post but I was wondering if you could write a little more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
    Setup & Reset Garmin

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your information is very detailed and useful to me, thank you for sharing. I hope you will always be up to date.

    activate learning online

    ReplyDelete
  41. I really appreciate your efforts and Thanks a lot for sharing a piece of wonderful information which I am looking for a longer period of time.


    Delta Air Lines | Southwest Airlines Reservations | Delta Airlines Reservations

    ReplyDelete
  42. Your data is exceptionally nitty gritty and helpful to me, thank you for sharing. I trust you will consistently be forward-thinking.

    start.watchown tv.activate

    ReplyDelete
  43. These all blogs are very useful and helpful for us. Thanks for sharing with us
    routerlogin.net
    Linksys Router Setup
    Netgear router setup

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hello, right below we provide the links of some amazing sites that you should consider a visit. It will be going to help you in many ways. Chase Bank Login ! PNC Bank Login ! iTunes Gift Card ! H&M vouchers ! Bank of America Login ! Wells login ! Venmo Sign in ! Venmo Login

    ReplyDelete
  45. HP Solution Center is a built-in software for HP printers that comes with HP Printer drivers for PC. To know more about this give us a visit at HP Solution Center.
    HP print and scan doctor is one of the best services offered by HP. The software is capable enough to tackle all the issue that you might face with your HP printer on its own.

    ReplyDelete
  46. B15Video This Website Is Official Website Bigg Boss Full Episodes Online Video Streaming On Bigg Boss 15 Live Play For More Detail Visit This Website HOtstar Serials And Apne tv Serials Bogg Boss 15 Live Video, Bigg Boss 15 Online Watch bb15live.

    Bigg Boss 15 online

    ReplyDelete

  47. with us. i'm sharing with you complete information about Epson printe is Offline issue".. For getting more information about it you would like to

    ReplyDelete
  48. I generally like the blog and I really respect your content.
    Phrases are my favorite.
    I will bookmark your site and continue to explore new data.
    windows download
    window 12 activation key
    icecream screen recorder crack
    avast premier crack license key

    ReplyDelete
  49. Microsoft office is the best software for Office use and also for school use it help you to create word files or presentations that make your task easy for that you need to activate office if you want to know how to activate office 365 read the article office.com/setupkey

    ReplyDelete
  50. I really like your post, I always like to read a quality content having accurate information regarding the subject. Thanks for sharing. It is such a very amazing post.

    Facebook login

    omegle

    Hotmail login

    disneyplus.com login/begin

    amazon.com/code

    ReplyDelete
  51. You'll be pleased to learn that this software has been updated and is now available on our website.
    Thank you for taking the time to read my writings; I hope you find them informative.
    tapinradio crack
    wipe pro crack
    tagrename crack

    ReplyDelete
  52. venmo identity verification identification is completely secure as Venmo provides data security and protects your data. It only collects identifying information of people in accordance with the directives of federal law

    ReplyDelete
  53. At first glance, my first choice is an efficient application.
    In short, reliable user feedback has made it possible to download personal files and keep them safe.
    imyfone tunesmate crack
    easeus data recovery wizard crack
    electrax vst crack

    ReplyDelete
  54. When Venmo does not work as it should be, then you should check back after some time. Sometimes, Venmo undergoes maintenance or technical glitches. Thus, if you are experiencing the Venmo not working issue on your device, then you should try to update the Venmo application or switch to another web browser that you are currently using. Or, reinstall the app completely.

    ReplyDelete
  55. If your Samsung tablet is not working as it should be or you are planning to give it to somebody, then you are suggested to perform a factory reset on it. To reset Samsung tablet, power it off and then you need to press the volume up, bixby, and power buttons together. When the Samsung logo appears on your screen, you need to release all these buttons.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Our vision rehab centers in nj Centers is to provide quality therapeutic services. We take a Level Up approach to addiction treatment, and we believe in treating the individual through mind, body and spirit. Each of these components have an important effect on the well-being of a person. We treat not just the physical aspect of the disease, but also the emotional, familial, environmental and social.

    ReplyDelete
  57. The alcohol treatment california stage is the initial phase in treating liquor addiction. Withdrawal indications normally die down inside around one to about fourteen days subsequent to beginning detox; be that as it may, this could take longer relying upon the seriousness of your Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). From that point, you will actually want to zero in on different parts of the recuperation cycle, like various exercises, treatments, advising meetings, and backing choices.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I really love this blog post. It is quite informative and also rich in quality informational detail for all types of readers. I am a routine researcher and reader who read different blog posts on a daily basis for the sake of knowledge. So as a part of readers' society, I want to pay my role in increasing the knowledge of other readers and researchers. I recently wrote a piece with the same quality of information on internet services providers, brand consulting and employment law solicitors, you can also read it. This will surely increase the knowledge and the interest of readers who regularly visit your site.

    ReplyDelete
  59. To find out how to reset TP Link Extender, you are supposed to follow and apply few important instructions, To do it, you are expected to locate the pinhole on the side where the reset button is and then you must insert a pin and then press and hold the reset button until all the indicator lights will turn on. Now, the range extender should now be reset to factory default settings. By applying the steps, you can simply find out the ways to resolve and troubleshoot the problems.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Bigg Boss 16 Start Coming Soon According to
    News in October 2022.Visit for Watching Free On Biggboss16online.com

    Bigg Boss 16 Full Episodes

    ReplyDelete