I became aware of the incredible achievements of Charles Blondin watching a television progam a little while back and was prompted to go in search of more information concerning this fabulously talented funambulist. What an amazing life Charles Blondin lived...
As someone who has always struggled with heights I found myself in awe of this man's incredible mastery of tight rope walking, his superb balancing capabilities. He crossed Niagara Falls numerous times. I've been there once. I was happy to view the falls from a safe position.
Anyway, my curiosity was sparked and the subsequent research has resulted in another docupoem. I shall be adding it to my ever expanding collection of these poems.
Docupoems are reliant on realism, written from an observer’s standpoint, and shaped with a desire for revelation. They share truth in collaboration with the poet's voice. Readers, I present The Mighty Blondin!
Famous
French funambulist
Charles
Blondin
-The Mighty Blondin
Crossed
Niagara’s
Mammoth gorge
Numerous
times
Firstly,
walking the high wire
-Without accoutrements
And
subsequently,
Employing
suitable theatrical flair
He traversed the watery divide
Legs secured
in a sack,
Then with Harry Colcord on his back
Managing his manager across the great divide
Finishing safely on the other side.
Blindfolded
next, then on stilts
Yet again
trundling a wheelbarrow
Along the
highwire narrow.
Harrowing
deeds continued
A culinary
crossing was the next course
-Stopping
halfway
To treat himself to a freshly cooked omelette
High wire
hunger averted,
But not
extinguished it seemed…
Blondin
crossed yet again
A
chair in hand
Stopping
halfway
Way up there,
On one of
four legs
-belonging
to the chair, let me add
not
Blondin himself.
No terror,
or room for error
The high
and mighty aerialist
Was a
genuine tightrope talent
Possessed
of perfect poise
And
spectacular rope tricks.
Up there
above Niagara’s watery noise
And raging
rapids
He
remained a high achiever
And
refused to fall for anything…
Alan j Wright
Oh, my goodness...I was nervous just reading your poem! Years ago, I wrote docupoems about a female tightrope walker who crossed over the falls. It's incredible to me that anyone would want to do that! You packed a lot of intriguing facts into this poem along with suspense. Well done! I think you've got a great collection in the making. I hope I get to read it in published form someday.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I would dearly love to publish such a collection of docupoems as a hybrid text, the poems accompanied by factual information on each subject. Hmm?
DeleteWow! What an amazing feat! Crazy and scary. I’ve been to the falls as well and cannot imagine doing anything of the sort. I remember reading about him when we were there. Poetry is such a great way to capture the essence of the life of a person.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed an amazing series of highwire feats, Margaret. Thank you for your comments and like you I believe poetry works well in cpaturing such profound historical events and the lives of those involved.
DeleteFascinating! I think you chose the perfect form for describing Blondin's feats. The internal rhyme, punctuation, and alliteration all add interest. I especially like the ending lines with the little play on words.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these affirming comments, Rose. Your insights are much appreciated.
DeleteI also love this idea for a collection, focused on forgotten folks doing amazing things. I especially like the tone of this one, the casual "but wait, there's more" thing. The poem really hits its stride in the 2nd half, I think.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Heiidi, Your gathered comments give further impetus to my possible written projections.
DeleteI learned so much from your poem. It is fascinating to see what some people devote their lives to. I am afraid of heights and there is no way you would get me close to that wire. Thanks for sharing such interesting information in a new form.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy. Your comments are much appreciated and spur me on.
DeleteWow! I was holding my breath reading your poem, and I learned something new! I've never written a docupoem. I think a collection would be a great idea, and you certainly know how to write them! Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteLinda, your response is much appreciated and give me further encouragement to keep exploring possibilities.
DeleteYikes! I also found myself holding my breath while reading about each successive (and fantastically scary!) feat! A great addition to your docupoem collection!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly. Yes, Blondin's amazing feats were nerving wracking- even to read.
DeleteOh, man! I can just picture him balancing on that wire above Niagara Falls. My husband and I visited many times as we both grew up close enough to the falls to make it a day trip. Then, as a newly married couple living in Buffalo we visited often as well - completing our engagement on the lookout platform high above the gorge. I am interested in this form, Alan. I love facts. I think you did a superb job in your docupoem. Do you have any resources you can suggest to me to try and write one? Thanks, Carol Labuzzetta
ReplyDeleteCarol, I remember this part of New York state as the place I felt coldest during my time in America. Thank you for your supportive comments. When it comes to resources, I make a point of selecting either a story or a person that piques my interest and research the life, the event or the moment for quirky lesser known detail. I want the poem to go beyond commonly known facts. A couple of books from my personal library that champion docupoetry are 'Blood Dazzler' by Patricia Smith. It features poems that document the devastation surrounding Hurricane Katrina. 'Drop Bear' by Australian poet, Evelyn Araluen chronicles the impact of colonialism over indigenous society. Finally, UK poet, Carol Ann Duffy's 'The World's Wife' presents poems about women frequently excluded from myth and history. Hope this helps you to launch...
DeleteFascinating, and I vote yes for a collection! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen. I shall press ahead with this embryonic project...
DeleteAlan, your docu poem is WONDER-FILLED! The photo adds to the interest. You were able to beautifully blend history and poetry together reminding us of the talented tight rope walker of the amazing Niagara Falls. (PS: I grew up in Central NY and know what cold is like.)
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Carol. Your comments are much appreciated. Growing where you did certainly adds weight to your reflections about that part of the world. Stay warm.
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