Poetry Out Loud

Part One: Website Cruising
1. "Snowflake"
2. "Retired Ballerinas, Central Park West"
3. "The Man He Killed"
4. "Nude Descending a Staircase" and "Who Understands Me but Me"

Part Two: What do you think?
Of the five poems listed above, I liked all of them. I was able to understand each of them and see what the author was saying.
I liked all of them, so I didn't like none of them.
I am interested in using "Who Understands Me but Me" as my poem.
I personally connected with this poem by how it who understands him and what he thinks, better than himself? Which I feel that you know who you are, people can't tell you what you are and who you need to be, which is a similar idea.

Part Three: Scoring Criteria
The easiest of these criteria for me would be level of difficulty, since my poem is long, and accuracy, since I'm used to memorizing lines for drama.
I will have difficulty with voice and articulation, since I tend to talk fast so I won't have a natural pace. Also physical presence, since I don't usually like making eye contact so I won't be connecting to the entire audience.

Part Four: Videos
I watched "Frekerick Douglass". This is a successful performance because you could tell she understood the poem and was able to get into it without being overdramatic.
I also watched "Forgetfulness". This was a successful performance because his voice was very easily heard and clear, and he didn't just look at one person, he made a connection with the audience.

Part Five: Summary
I think the competition with be nerve-wracking, but not super tense. I think I will do good enough for a B since I'm used to performing and memorizing, but I will probably not be easily understood. I will memorize "Who Understands Me but Me." I choose it because I connected well with it and it is a good length. I think the website is very helpful for competitors.