At the start of any project it can be incredibly difficult to share all of the ins and outs with curious onlookers. To combat this difficulty, Brenda and myself (Camille) decided to write up questions for each other to answer, interview style*. In truth this is probably closer to a F.A.Q. post for questions we’ve yet to receive. Nevertheless, we present to you the ODE FAQ-erview.
(* The answerer will be identified by first initial.)
1) What is ODE all about?
C: ODE is, first and foremost about celebrating poetry and breaking down boundaries. It’s about taking risks, stepping out of comfort zones, and doing something exciting and unique.
2)How did ODE come to be?
B: I actually ask myself this question every day. Some incredible people and the planets aligning? Camille and I are so grateful to be given this opportunity. As she said, we sometimes feel like “finger painters in an acrylics class”, but we’re learning on the fly and hoping to make this all worth your while.
C: We’d been talking about starting a project of some sort for ages. Suddenly we were presented with venues and everything just fell in to place.
3) Describe the basic structure of the show. What’s coming up?
C: Each show will feature a few distinct things. Poets will be bringing poems based on a pre-chosen theme, rather it is new work created for the show or something they’d already written that seems to fit. They’ll also bring a “showcase work”, something that they feel really shines from their body of work. Each poet will also take part in 30 minutes of prompted writing directly before the show. These pieces, rather collaborative or completely individual, will be presented as part of the show.
The final component of ODE shows will be audience participation. The method will differ by event, but each member of the audience will have the opportunity to help create poetry in some way, bringing them in as a part of the process.
Coming up February 12 we have our very first show at Ford Food and Drink, themed “New Beginnings”. Then on February 26 we will have our first show at Pairings Portland. The them will be “Beyond the Limits” and is unique because it is actually based on the numerology of the day.
4) Where did the name come from? What does it mean?
B: ODE is short for Open Door Enjambment. “Enjambment” is a poetry term where sentences don’t end at line breaks; they literally fall off the line and flow into each other. We’re trying to create this all-inclusive, interactive poetry experience so it made sense to incorporate the idea of one thing flowing into another. The Open Door furthers that idea, because our doors are literally open to anyone. Whether this is your first poetry show or you’ve been to a googolplex of them: we want to create something new. And we need your help creating it.
5) What does poetry mean to you on a personal level?
C: Survival. It is swimming when I could drown. Breath. Catharsis. Finding my own light at the end of the tunnel.
6) Why a poetry show? What do you feel that you or others gain from poetry specifically?
B: A professor of mine once described poetry as “the act of taking two very different things, and showing how they’re actually the same”. That definition really resonated with me. In a way, poets are using their words to show audiences how all human lives are the same; it allows us to explore the foundations of our humanity. Which makes it the perfect platform for reaching a large audience on a very empathetic level.
7) Portland has a pretty vast poetry community. What specific niche is ODE trying to fill?
C: I’ve found that, while the reach of poetry and the number of events is large in Portland, there is a lack of cohesive “community” so to speak. I’ve seen so many divisions due to publication status, performance style, or even simply which readings poets choose or are asked to be a part of. Open Door Enjambment hopes to be a home for everyone.
On top of that, it hopes to encourage creative collaboration. This extends even past the poets and in to the audience. We want to create a series full of surprises. Poetry can be entertaining and accessible if done right. Thus, we aim to engage everyone in the room with every piece that is being created and shared.
8) Where do you find your poets?
B: We gathered this first batch of poets from the four corners of the Portland poetry scene. Camille and I have both frequently grappled with the idea of “poetry contingencies” we’ve encountered in the area. We’re looking for an overarching sense of family. One of ODE’s primary goals is to foster that cohesive community where artists can come together in a safe space and just create together.
Currently poets are being recruited based on personal recommendations. We’re also accepting inquiries for future shows! If you’re interested in joining our family, please contact us: [email protected]
9) What’s the end goal for the project?
C: We’re hoping to have created a new space where people can meet, share ideas, and grow together. Ultimately the series will include not just our regular events but special events and workshops. We’d like to see bigger names joining with our lesser known poets and sharing the stage. Finally, we’re hoping to have new poets added to our ranks all of the time as they are inspired to create, maybe even for the first time.
10) Who are you hoping to reach with ODE (target audience and goals)?
B: Everybody! Our target audience is you, whether you’ve never heard a poem in your life or have your MFA in Poetic Analysis. Each person that connects with ODE contributes to the overall experience, and we love that. Bring your crazy aunt, or your saxophone playing neighbor, or that cute barista from your favorite coffee shop. Like I said, we’ll make it worth your while.
