The Lamentational Poetry of Serj Tankian

I wrote in an earlier post that, even though they are a wildly talented group of musicians, I could not in good conscience give a coveted ETP Award to System of a Down because they are already famous… But I also wrote in my “about ETP” piece that I will sometimes spotlight the famous, though likely in different light than we are used to seeing them. This week’s ETP Award proves both rules by bestowing the coveted Extremely Talented People Award on SOAD lead vocalist Serj Tankian, but not for his powerful vocals fronting his old band. Rather, what I want to spotlight in this entry are Serj’s poems — that’s right, he is a poet as well as a singer/songwriter. His poems are political, radical, insightful, inspiring and strange all in one breath. I have seen criticism of his verse on-line that chides him for writing poetry that demonstrates “why poetry is dying,” but I could not disagree more — and not simply on grounds of personal taste, but based on what is perhaps a deeper view of the history of poetry in general. Serj’s poems are Lamentations, a phrase which harkens back to the prophets of the Old Testament who had the cahoneys to risk life and limb, standing on mountains and rooftops and streetcorners crying out the evils of their day, and calling everyone from the lowliest common folk to the loftiest kings to repent and turn back to the good, before it was too late… Serj Tankian is a modern Lamentational Poet in the same school as, not only Jeremiah, but such recent and recognized poetic masters as Allen Ginsberg, who’s “Howl” (1956) is a true Lamentational classic. “Howl” famously begins:

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix…

Tell me you don’t hear the echoing outcry of Jeremiah and Ginsberg in Serj’s poems. Tell me you don’t feel convicted. Tell me, in the wake of these poems, that you don’t believe your own government is out enslave you and your modern TV culture to soften your mind and grind you into a worn and toothless cog in the machinery of Capitalism. Tell me you don’t hear the voice crying in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of democracy and creative freedom!” I’ll call you a liar. Serj Tankian is a true poet, a bit of a prophet, and unquestionably an Extremely Talented Person. Take your Award, Serj! The rest of you, awaken and enjoy!

War That No One Won

I’m Erica and Circus Tiger

Nations

Poetry as Video Art – En-Visioning Billy Collins

Billy Collins is the 44th Poet Laureate of the United States (an office which, sadly, is likely to make his work familiar to but a handful of Americans outside of Academia…sigh…) His quirky and humorous poems are a joy – but the real winners of the Extremely Talented People Award for Saturday, September 13th are Julian Grey, Juan Delcan and Brady Baltezore, the artists who created the three videos below. It is one thing to read a poem, a richer experience to listen to the poet read his or her own poem, a depth greater still to see the poet’s work brought to life in narrative animated imagery. Drink deep! There are a number of Billy Collins animations available on YouTube and elsewhere on the web, but I have selcted the three in this post as the best of the bunch. Enjoy!

The Dead – Animation by Juan Delcan

Some Days – Animation by Julian Grey

The Country – Animation by Brady Baltezore

Winners click “ETP Award Winners” to claim your prize! Thank you

ER Percussion Performs System of a Down “Toxic Questions” Medley

Staying with the theme of extremely talented young people, the ETP Award for Saturday, September 6th goes to ER Percussion, and their rendition of “Toxic Questions,” a Medley of songs by “Nu Metal” band System of a Down. My high school marching band never sounded like this (but how I wish they had)!

I have not been able to find any contact information for ER Percussion on the Internet, so if anyone knows how to reach them with news of this Award, please drop me aline at extremelytalentedpeople@yahoo.com – thanks!

If you are not familiar with System of a Down, they, too, are a group of tremendously talented folks, with a downright operatic punk metal sound that is wholly unique. Think love child spawn of Jello Biafra’s vintage Dead Kennedys crossed with Andrew Loyd Webber (especially in his collaboration days with Tim Rice, ala Jesus Christ Superstar). Since they are already well known, I can’t in good conscience bestow an ETP Award on them, but if you find the description above compelling, and would like to check out the source materials that so inspired our winners, ER Percussion, here are the tracks that were folded into the medley.

System of a Down – Toxicity

System of a Down – Hypnotize

ER Percussion members, click “ETP Award Winners” under “Pages” on the left to pick up your Award! Thanks!

National Poetry Slam – Team Alburquerque!

The first-ever Extremely Talented People ETP Award goes to Team Alburquerque, competing in the National Poetry Slam! Watch the video — these kids are fantastic!

To join the Extremely Talented People journey of discovery, read “Recognizing Real Talent” in the pages section of the front page, right hand column. If you are an Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team Member, go straight to “ETP Award Winners” to claim your award! Thanks, All! More soon!