While I sit here smoking the last drag of my cigarette, I think back on my prior knowledge of electronic poetry. The assumption of two-dimensional writing fades into my head and weaves back out as I surely remember the true understanding of this new writing style. A new form of expression that doesn’t need a pen and paper yet is able to freely express the ideas of the poet. The new form of poetry is still in its beginning stages as not enough people are aware of this type of writing. So far I have the slightest of grasps on e-poetry but the future looks bright. From what I have read, e-poetry has given me the idea that it is like an abyss. It is endless in the ways you can express yourself and it can provoke more thought in its multi-dimensional page. “Electronic literature tests the boundaries of the literary and challenges us to re-think our assumptions of what literature can do and be” (Hayles)
I have attempted e-poetry and to say the least, it was difficult. For a while I stared at the blank power point document, having an even more difficult time knowing where to start than if I had a notepad. Honestly, I was scared to see what my first e-poem was going to turn out like. I looked on the Internet for ideas; I used power point tutorials to get a stronger grip on the program before I used it, still nowhere to start. Somehow I ended up in Microsoft Word, writing what I thought onto that blank white page. Slowly I transferred it onto power point, but I found myself juggling with the different effects. First, I am not very savvy at power point and to make something that flows like Goldsmith or Larson truly takes an eye. I can say that I attempted to write my own e-poem but it looked more like a fifth grade presentation. They say practice makes perfect. On the upside, it felt like a behind the scenes look at how many e-poems are made. I was able to utilize the same gadgets and special effects that I saw in the more popular poems. Also, I was able to express the big ideas in my poem very clearly and it felt more artistic than the normal poem. One of my favorite hobbies is to draw and the feeling that I get from it is that I am making art. When I am writing poetry it is very difficult to replicate that feeling, however, when I was finagling with my poem on power point, it was the closest I have been while writing. I was enjoying myself so much that I lost sight that it was poetry. I was moving, fading, bouncing and putting emphasis on so many words that I lost track of the main idea. The ability to balance everything that is going on takes time to learn. The enjoyment that I got out of my first poem would make me want to spend more time practicing and honing my skills. In order to make an e-poem balance with its words and other stimulants, the writer must carefully choose their form of expression.
Katherine Hayles is able to best describe what electronic literature is. Earlier I quoted her with “Electronic literature tests the boundaries of the literary and challenges us to re-think our assumptions of what literature can do and be”. This was one of two passages that stood out at me as I read her work, “Electronic Literature: What is It?” This line was said to be the summary and thesis of the class I am currently taking, ENG 230, Reading and Writing Electronic Literature, and I strongly believe everything it is saying. For most people literature is only something that can only be publicized by writing it down and showing it to someone. Now we can express the words we write and make it public to millions, if not billions of people by simply putting it on the Internet. Electronic literature also tests the boundaries of the literary by being able to provoke more thought into the eyes of the reader. One poem that is sticking out in my head currently is “The Mermaid” by Alic Yung. In order to read this poem, one must carefully balance the poem with the mouse. The only line that is not moving is the first, “A mermaid found a swimming lad”. During a class discussion multiple ideas of why the poem had to be balanced were formulated. My favorite that someone came up with was that it is difficult to balance love. From all the responses about this poem, that one reason stuck with me. Although that is how I view this poem, there were many other equally acceptable responses that made just as much sense. Alic Yung was the first e-poet that was able test the boundaries that I made for literature and made me re-think my assumption of what literature can do and be.
The second passage of Katherine Hayles that stands out to me is the scenario of Brother Jacobs produced codex.
“The Scriptorium was in turmoil. Brother Paul, the precentor in charge, had detected a murmur from the
back row and, furious that the rule of silence was being compromised, strode down the aisle just in time
to see Brother Jacob tuck something under his robe. When he demanded to see it, Brother Jacob
shamefacedly produced a codex, but not one that the antiquarii of this monastery had copied — or of
any monastery, for this Psalter was printed. Shocked as much by the sight of the mechanical type as
Brother Jacob's transgression, Brother Paul so far forgot himself that he too broke the silence,
thundering that if books could be produced by fast, cheap and mechanical means, their value as
precious artifacts would be compromised. Moreover, if any Thomas, Richard or Harold could find his
way into print, would not writing itself be compromised and become commonplace scribbling? And how
would the spread of cheap printed materials affect the culture of the Word, bringing scribbling into
every hut and hovel whose occupants had hitherto relied on priests to interpret writing for them? The
questions hung in the air; none dared imagine what answers the passing of time would bring.” (Hayles)
Katherine Hayles goes on to describe this passage “to suggest that the place of writing is again in turmoil, roiled now not by the invention of print books but the emergence of electronic literature”. This stands out to me because I can see the relationship between the invention of print and electronic literature. They both are able to make writing more easily accessed by the general public and they both influence evolution of literature itself. Since the upcoming of the Internet, everyone is able to publish anything they want. The Internet is only getting bigger and as it takes over the paperback industry more authors will be able to spread their work. This new form of poetry and literature is only the next step towards mass communication. As the public grows, the ability of publication will only become more easily achieved.
Electronic literature is able to suggest thought instead of the imagination producing it freely. Another form of an e-poem is taking script and turning it into electronic literature. A great example of this is “The Best Cigarette” by Billy Collins. As he narrates the poem you watch his artistic film. Before I watched this poem I had different images of “at the end of a long dinner with more wine to come and a smoke ring coasting into the chandelier”.
This poem gives you images to work with instead of producing the scene straight from your mind. I find this poem to be extremely artistic and produced very well, even though it was not originally electronic literature. I find it amazing and beautiful how e-poetry can put a different spin on an existing poem.
Throughout the short time that I have known electronic poetry, I have already begun to appreciate it with a certain depth. I feel more connected with the writers and feel like I am getting to know a piece of them. When I walk into a museum and look at the famous artwork in front of me I feel like I am a part of the artist. The same thing goes for the electronic poets. When I sign onto the Internet and stumble though electronic poetry, I sit there and read and understand it on every angle. Just as I look at a picture at a museum for long period of time, I look at electronic poetry the same way. Some poems are abstract and it takes me a while to fully comprehend what I am looking at.
