My Poem

For the Poetry Out Loud competition, I selected the poem "A Dream Within A Dream", by Edgar Allen Poe. I have enjoyed and felt connection to a great amount of Poe's poetry, and this poem is no exception. Stylistically, I find that there is wonderful grace and flow to the writing. Every two lines rhyme, and yet the rhyming does not seem forced. Each line seems to fit perfectly, and feels just right, whether read on paper or out loud. In addition, on a different level, the poem brings back many emotions and memories from my past, and I feel somehow both nostalgic and peaceful when I read it. It reminds me of saying goodbye to past friends that I won't see much of again, and of myself, wistful, in deep thought about life. This is most likely because the poem itself deals with these concepts. The very first two lines, "Take this kiss upon the brow!", and "And in parting from you now" introduce the sadness of goodbyes. Also, throughout the poem, there is evidence of thoughtfulness and pondering, about the nature of life.

When I recite "A Dream Within A Dream" aloud, I hope to convey, through my performance, what it makes me think of and feel inside. Firstly, I will try to communicate the wistful nature of the poem through voice and articulation. I aim to speak in a slow, thoughtful manner, especially in the first stanza. I could also use a questioning facial expression to enhance this feeling. In progression into the second stanza, I will use a small amount of gesturing with one hand, in lines such as "And I hold within my hand." Through both facial expression and voicing, I could also try to convey a part of the anguish that is present later in the poem. While reading the very end, I will finally return to the expression of the contemplative feel that I experience when I read it to myself. Hopefully, after reciting the poem, I will gain greater understanding of and a new perspective on both the poem and life itself.

The poem can be found here:  http://poetryoutloud.org/poems/poem.html?id=237388