Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Phillis and Emily

Happy March! Even though it's cold here in The Bronx, I am dreaming of Spring. Finally, I have another audio post. This one has the poetry of the first African American female published poet, Phillis Wheatley and my old friend, Emily Dickinson. I am reading the poems: On Being Brought from Africa to America and A Hymn to The Evening by Phillis; also, I taste a liquor never brewed and Adrift! A little boat adrift by Emily.

Please be aware that the text I'm reading Emily from may be slightly different from the links to her poetry. I don't know why editors feel the need to edit her work! Even the version I have does not have Emily's dashes which I love. So eventually I want to get her poetry with her dashes left intact. Also, Phillis isn't the first African American poet as I stated in the video. (I just discovered this today!) That honor goes to Jupiter Hammond; nevertheless, she is still the first sistah poet to be published in this country.

I hope you all enjoy. Please send me requests of poetry or prose you like to be read. I am happy to do so. As always, sweet dreams to you all.


PS. My last audiopost was lost when I changed my youtube account. I'm going to go back and redo it.

11 comments:

Lynne said...

I'm still waiting for spring to show it's face here. I've just been catching up with your posts. I enjoy films but I'm not that well informed about them so it's interesting to read what you have to say.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am so excitied to listen as soon as I get off the phone with Mombie ;)

Spring is oh sooo near ;) ;) xoxo

Beverly said...

Dearest Shell, For your beautiful and joyous spirit, a gift awaits you:

http://flying-cupcakes.blogspot.com/2009/03/looky-looky.html

Lisa said...

Beautiful Shell!

Her Speak said...

I love listening to these! It's like being visited by a velvet voiced siren! Beautiful work. :)

Much Joy, Many Blissings~*
Molly

Anonymous said...

Oh Shell, that was beautiful! You have a great voice and the images were lovely! Thank you :)

Judy Hartman said...

Shell, This is fantastic! I've always been a Dickinson fan, and was happy to be introduced to Phllis Wheatley. I always loved Sarah Teasdale, especially her poems, 'Barter' and 'Peace'.
Loved hearing your voice!

Cheryl Lynn Pastor Romance Author said...

I can't think of anyone I'd rather hear read the poetry of Phillis Wheatley, Emily Dickinson, or any of the other poets I love so much. Your voice is perfect, positively ethereal.

Thanks so much for the shout-out, sweetie. Can't wait for the next audio-post.

Kudos!

Sarah said...

I love listening to you read Shell. You have such a beautiful voice. Hearing those poems has added to the beauty of a sunny morning here in London.
Thanks.
Hope it gets warmer soon!
Sarah :)

Tristan Robin said...

lovely oral interpretations of these works ... very evocative.

I found your site through Ingrid at Fashion is My Muse ... I'm now a follower!

Lady Prism said...

Very lovely..so relaxing...

Wordless Wednesday: Spring