Focus on expressing feelings: Performance poet to children

Focusing on expressing one's emotions instead of using too many "unnecessary words" is the key to penning good poetry, according to Australia-based performance poet Miles Merrill.
Merrill, who was in town to participate at the Bookaro children's literature festival, gave tips to aspiring poets at an interactive session here.
"Focus on expressing your feelings instead of using unnecessary words in any poem," he said.
Originally from Chicago, Merrill is a writer and performer, best known for combining poetry with theatre, experimental audio, hip-hop beats, stand-up and, occasionally, political confrontation.
He is also credited with introducing poetry slam to Australia.
Merrill noted the importance of keeping in mind factors like gesture, sound, speed, voice and rhythm, to make a verse attractive.

He went on to say that the medium gave individuals an opportunity to voice their opinions on universal socio- political issues ranging from environment and gender inequality to racism.

"Topics are quite similar in the contemporary world today. Gender issues, environment and race issues are common in all cultures and poetry is an opportunity to express those things," he said.
Merrill has also co-directed and co-written Slamming for the Sydney Festival, and is the Creative Director of Word Travels -- the International Performing Writers' Association, which organises literary programs around the Asia Pacific with a focus on developing performing writers.

Now, in its 10th edition, Bookaroo, a nine-city festival, began in November 2008 as a solo in the capital.
The festival celebrates the joy of reading by bringing together authors, illustrators, and storytellers to share experiences, and make books come alive for children.
It is scheduled to be held in Delhi on November 25-26 at the Children's Park in India Gate.