By Michael C. Ford on July 2, 2014
Michael C. Ford: This Isn/t a Poem
Poetry
Michael C. Ford has, since 1984, recorded 81 spoken word tracks on vinyl, CD and laser disk formats. Since 1970, a wide range of indie presses have published approx. 25 volumes of pint documents.
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THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is your heart turning into hungry Peruvian reptiles THIS ISN/T A POEM; this is something which will shove you into a blinding light area of your brain THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is something which will force you into a brand new madness THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is a man walking down into an active volcano THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is a rock being whipped by a Tallahassee hurricane THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is a language system which allows you to die as people were meant to die: with grand illusions and ideals & dreams THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is Allende assassinated in Chile by CIA-sanctioned gun- slingers and legal authorities THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is Pablo Neruda being arrested for protesting the murder of Communist peasants THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is Marcos marshalling the poor in Chiapas to arm against a United States supported Fascist government in Mexico Radio Intro (2) THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is a N0-Doze capsule for the tragic and tender clones of University creative writing programs encouraging poetry workshop dilettantes who are dull and witless and will put you to sleep THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is a manifesto for you who don/t think I/m talking about you THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is a what will be rejected by clueless, gutless editors and publishers and other poetry politicians who poison the rebel spirits in this art form every time they breathe on it THIS ISN/T A POEM: this is the way we can figure out a way to make them all stop breathing
Photo of the poet by Jill Jarrett.
Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael C. Ford has been publishing steadily, since 1970 and credited with over 28 volumes of print documents. He’s been featured on approx. 65 spoken word tracks, since 1985, including National episodes from California Artists Radio Theatre productions plus four solo recordings. His debut vinyl {Language Commando} received a Grammy nomination [1987] and his book of Selected Poems Emergency Exits [1998] earned a Pulitzer nomination on the 1st ballot. His poetic narrative titled VIETNAM / PEACE CASUALTIES published online for November 3rd Club was nominated for a 2006 Pushcart Prize. His first CD document Fire Escapes; was a 1995 entry from New Alliance Records & Tapes. His 2010 document is titled 20TH Century Goodbye, the production being a collaboration with original music by the East Coast post punk alternative band Psychic TV. Hen House Studios has been promoting and marketing his CD Look Each Other in the Ears [2014]. That document, in both vinyl and CD formats features a stellar band of musicians, not the least of which were surviving members of a 1960s theatre rock quartet most of you will remember as The Doors. His recent volume of poetry published in 2016 by Word Palace Press is entitled Women Under The Influence.
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