I am Appalachia. In my veins
Runs fierce mountain pride; the hill-fed streams
Of passion; and, stranger, you don’t know me!
~Muriel Miller Dressler
Bill Alexander, Appalachian Hippie Poet, today:
* Read the rest of Muriel Miller Dressler's Appalachia here.
* A bibliography of Appalachian poetry for children
P.S. Y'all do know how to pronounce "Appalachian"? It's like throwing an apple at cha.
P.P.S. Bill Alexander's face reminds me of Robin Williams, if R.W. had a lot more hair.
P.P.P.S. Today is the last day to sign up for the Winter Poetry Swap...
Diane has the Poetry Friday round-up at Random Noodling.
I go a little nuts when people mispronounce Appalachia. To me, the right way sounds like the place that I love. The wrong way sounds like something contagious....
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this video clip, Tabatha. It's fascinating to see poets reading their own work -- I love to see their mannerisms, where they emphasize words, even how they dress.
ReplyDeleteHe does look like Robin Williams, that squint! The poem is wonderful, & the video, Tabatha. There is a mystique about Appalachia, for those of us afar, maybe some about the Rockies too, but not as much. Parts of the poem reminded me of my childhood in Missouri, though, the woods and the streams, high on a mountain, although in MO it was hills. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTabatha, I'm sitting here in appropriate clothing, but my hands are still stiff with cold. It's going to be a long winter, and I don't even live in the mountains. I can hardly believe it's time for the Winter Poem Swap already.
ReplyDeleteWow -- thanks for the poem and video. Loved both -- and yes, Bill A. does look like Robyn . . .
ReplyDeleteIt's always wonderful to bump up against the unfamiliar in poems like these. Love the voice in both.
ReplyDeleteAllrighty then...I could listen to that accent all the livelong day. Fun!
ReplyDeleteOh, that was just perfect in an Appalachian, Robin Williams-y, accented, lovely way.
ReplyDeleteLove Bill's video-poem, Tabatha! His voice (accent) breathes such life into that poem. And yes, Bill has that same twinkle in his eye that RW had. =)
ReplyDeleteBut he also has a Kenny Rogers-ish look and sound. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteLove this video and poem. I'm headed off to share it on FB with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteDressler's poem is wonderful. My West Virginia friend will love it. I enjoyed the video poem - so simple and direct. If it's not too late, Tabatha, may I join the Winter Poem Swap?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this, Tabatha! I get to the mountains as often as possible, and am most at home amidst Appalachian hills and voices. Bill Alexander's voice is one of the best!
ReplyDeleteYou aren't too late, Joyce -- I added your name to the swap :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is someone I'd like to spend time listening to at a coffeehouse open mic. Would love to hear what he can do with that guitar too.
ReplyDeleteThat poem went straight to my heart.
ReplyDeleteLoved that, Tabatha--do know where I can see the text? I agree about the RW resemblance, and I've noticed that there are certain "facial types" that occur more frequently in the population than others. RW's type is common--compare to Jack Nicholson, and I had a boyfriend in college who fit it, and I've known several others.
ReplyDeleteDid you really have ice on Thursday?
I'm sorry, Heidi, I don't know of anywhere you can find the text. :-( The only place I had ice on Thursday was here on the blog!
ReplyDeleteKnock knock - I'm late, but so glad to catch this post. All a beautiful tribute. I grew up in Florida, but was born in east Tenn., and then we recently finished 16 years in the north Ga. Foothills, so all very familiar.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your links - thanks. (The book list has a couple of Cynthia Rylant titles, though I didn't see WHEN I WAS YOUNG IN THE MOUNTAINS on it - an all- time fave!)