Poery Video Reading: THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE, by Vijay R Nathan
POETRY READINGS
•
1m 46s
Voice Over: Val Cole
The Art of the Possible, by Vijay R Nathan
On Kehinde Wiley’s Portrait of Barack Obama
The waves of gray hair, forehead shines
over creased brows. Flowers emerge
from green tableau: from chicago,
from Hawaii, from Kenya.
The leaves wrap around the feet
ensnaring
the subject. Greenery yields
no space topiary invades
all visibility, dominant— yet not aggressive.
He sits aloof from the viewer, focused
gaze follows our movements. Listen
to the rustling leaves, telling stories. He’s tense
from holding our attention.
His hair isn’t of a young man. He’s aged.
How tension shows up in bodies.
Hands hug knees, He leans
forward. loosey crossing arms.
There’s no tie, collar left open, free
of such encumbrance.
Regal chair demarks his status, yet
its modern, casual appearance speaks
‘We, the people’.
Isolated, in unreal surroundings
he’s trapped
in Nature, now an otherworldly
space apart from his predecessors,
A brown, skinned man, in a white herd. I see
his intensity, he is seated amongst the flowers,
in his element, a natural. His nature
flowers for all to see.
If this is true, let’s explore what else is
possible. Yes, we can dare to hope, to be
seated apart from a wilderness world
that demands we stand or be eaten.
Up Next in POETRY READINGS
-
Poetry Video Reading: THE THINGS THAT...
Voice over by Val Cole
The Things that ruined my prom night, by Brianna Corona
1. Pine needles sprinkled down like confetti.
2. -prom closed with reflective confetti.
3. Scattered rocks that shine [ motor oil.]
4. -black out/black liquid, everyone has different prom nights.
5. [deafening. ] Wi... -
POETRY Reading: You Never Know, by Ma...
Narrated by Val Cole
POEM:
For Gregg 1946-2023
When the boulder exploded
everything came at me—your car keys a bar of soap
that stroked your skin yesterdayyour pillow scent hurtled past
I couldn’t grasp itblast wave gut punch
blast windspiking lightning
from a burned-out god, signso...
-
POETRY Reading: The Whispers I Have H...
Performed by Val Cole
POEM:
Though I cherish
the quiet I have earned,
there are days I miss
the whisper of animals
all around meYouthful energy
bounding in,
I’m easy to please
I’m easy to forgiveNervous purr, saying
Do what you must,
just be quick
just be gentleNext come the sick
cradled...
