Poetry reaching far and wide

 A group of poets from Wuhan, China came to Penn State to share their poetry.  They works were translated as well as works from scholars at the school were translated to Chinese.  I thought the idea of this event, although seemingly simple, is a very beautiful and interesting idea.  Sometimes the concepts we have of writing and poetry can only be conceptualized in your own language and thought process.  It's intriguing to perceive how other cultures approach different art forms and the readings, which there is audio and video of, show both the similarities and difference when something so personal is put forth.  I thought the cultural and personal benefits of this meeting were heartening and important to understanding those from around the world.

http://ronsilliman.blogspot.ca/2011_01_09_archive.html
(3rd post down from the top)

DNA Data Storage is a thing... who knew?

 It looks as if science has taken the data storage thing to a new level with their new found ability to store data on DNA.  It's said that one gram of DNA could hold the equivalent of 100 billion DVDs.  Although still a slow process it seems that it's becoming quite practical as costs for DNA coding are dropping (although not at a rate that will make it economically feasible for another 10 years or so).  They've opted to stick with a binary system, much like a computer does with 0's and 1's, for encoding the data.  DNA uses four characters to store information, A, C, G and T.  A's and C's will be the 0's and G's and T's will substitute the 1's.  They say that DNA storage has so much more availbale space because it's 3-dimensional.  The data however cannot be overwritten but considering the medium's size, space should hardly be an issue.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2012/08/the-ultimate-in-compact-storage-media-dna-coding/?woo

Thoughts on E.E. Cuumings, Susan Howe & Linton Kwesi Johnson

hist whist - E.E. Cummings

Initially this poem struck me as odd and disjointed but as I reread it, the structure only added to its imagery.  It makes me think of Halloween and kids dressed up as witches and demons running around the neighbourhood.  Its use of seemingly onomatopoeic words and short sharp lines make it a great little piece with a vague yet familiar set of images we can relate to.

the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls - E.E. Cummings

It is in both the imagery and the diction that this poem delivers on its intended purpose, to incite an air of pretentiousness and yet still stay quite casual.  One gets visions of ladies around a table in a lavish parlour gabbing the day away while playing bridge before retiring for a rest or to perhaps do some knitting.  Yet they take pride in the procession of their day to day lives.  It's an effective piece and puts a smile on my face.

Your Luck Is About To Change - Susan Howe

This poem reads like a digression within a a fleeting anecdote and is forgotten as quick as it's read.  Seemingly a pondering on a fortune cookie that incites thought then quickly makes a turn before returning to the point, and then digresses into a vision of a child's new vision of a nativity scene.  I suppose it's more of a look into the process of hopes and cautious optimism as the New Year comes around but simply doesn't appeal to my need for an actual narrative, instead of words posing as such.

from Cabbage Gardens - Susan Howe

I quite enjoyed this poem as it evolves into something so deep in the main character's mind.  A metaphoric look into their innocent worry which grows to a crashing shore where nature can only watch indifferent.  It leaves us with a more hopeful image of a survived sunset that only gives us a glimmer of something to look forward to in the unwritten future.

Mi Revalueshanary Fren - Linton Kwesi Johnson

The interesting approach of writing phonetically in English but with the Jamaican accent is at first a little complicated but you begin to understand the way he's speaking.  The poem is, as expected, politically charged and filled with good descriptive elements to bring you a side of a discussion the poet feels is worth having.  The content is frank and realistic and he knows he doesn't have all the answers but understands the problems with Apartheid.  I quite enjoyed this read.

Reggae Fi Dada - Linton Kwesi Johnson

Probably the most powerful of all the works I've looked at here, it's a stunning and deep tribute to his father and the state of his surroundings.  It is very personal and looks at what his father could accomplish in life despite the hardships.  He speaks directly to his father throughout and it is quite moving and to the point.  My favourite so far.