Bernadette Mayer - Made Me Mad

Last Wednesday night I attended the Bernadette Mayer reading in Peabody Hall. I was a little upset that I would be missing my favorite television show LOST, but once I saw the large number of students there to attend the reading, I knew that this poet and author was going to be great, and I was no longer upset. I WAS SO WRONG!

Ms. Mayer was given a great introduction that made me hungry for a taste of her writing. As she climbed the stairs onto the stage, cane and books in hand, I stared her up and down wondering where she got her clothes from. She had on this weird hat, gray I think, and what looked like a burlap, purple sweater vest and some tan pants. She reminded me of a character I had read about in elementary school, The Lupin Lady.

When she sat down, she looked a little unorganized. She had papers everywhere it seemed, but she didn’t seem to have any trouble picking a piece to read. The first poem of the night was "Words that Rhymed With Disease". I really felt like I would have liked the piece had I been able to hear her better. The microphone wasn’t up loud enough and Ms. Mayer’s speech seemed a little mumbled. The next two pieces she read were, "Before Sextet" and "After Sextet". I was unaware that the poems were about sex until "After Sextet" when she used words like condom. I really feel like Ms. Mayer should try to make her poems sound more interesting by making her voice less monotone and more energetic. It might help the audience better understand the words she is saying so that we can laugh along with her.

The rest of the reading really is a blur to me. I sat wondering if Hurley really was going to die on LOST and what the map that Locke found last week really means. I watched many people get up and leave the auditorium. I watched them all the way out and then wished I was them. I then proceeded to balance my pen on my nose and try to catch it in my mouth, needless to say, I was bored. I was unable to understand any of the reading. I was unable to follow along and I quickly lost interest.

The only part in the reading where she grabbed my attention was in the middle when she bashed President Bush. I happen to like President Bush and she basically told Bush Supporters F(she used the actual word) U. She didn't care if we got upset. I believe that everyone has the right to their own opinion, but to flat out tell someone F U because you don't believe the way I do, is wrong.

All I remember from the rest of the reading is the F-word (again she did use the actual word) being used too many times to count. I wondered if anyone else in the audience was offended as me. If the amount of people that left, not even half way through the reading is any measure, I think many people were offended. There were people who stayed though so they may have liked it. I just had no interest. I mean for her to be a somewhat famous poet, someone has to like her.

I feel like poetry is supposed to evoke some sort of feeling or emotion. Her poetry really didn't do that for me. I didn’t really get any emotional response from the reading, except the little bit of anger. I was unable to visualize and "experience" her poetry. Her poetry was extremely different from anything I had read of heard before and I hope that I will never have to encounter it again. I didn't dislike it because it was different it just didn't appeal to me. I don't expect it to. Her poetry may be amazing to others, I am just giving my opinion.

By the way, my friend taped LOST for me, so I wouldn’t miss it. Hurley didn't die!

Here is the link to Bernadette Mayer's Website. If you want check it out and clue me in on her poetry. Click Here.

Photo credit: © 1999 Philip Good