Renowned poets hold reading

Their words are characterized by a familiar playful tone, introspective style and calculated cynicism. But last night's poetry readings by Allen Ginsberg and Robert Creeley displayed the celebrated poets in an altogether unfamiliar light. Each dispelled his characteristic '60s image by varying his delivery style and choosing to focus on more modern selections. In a packed auditorium at the Annenberg School, the two presented their poetry to a receptive audience of several hundred students, faculty and community members. Creeley, sleeves rolled almost to the elbows, began the evening with a selection of poems from different points in his career. He read in a shaky voice, occasionally fidgeting and adjusting his glasses. His poems reflected his changing attitudes in life -- ranging from his "Do You Think?" which asks, "Do you know anyone really?" to the stilted verse of his later poems. The self-termed "curious, odic form" of his more recent selections dealt mostly with a reflection on his life and a realization of his own mortality. Ginsberg, who was born only two weeks apart from Creeley in 1926, has putatively been named one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. Bathed in a blue light, he read a selection of his more recent poems, characterized by a distinctly whimsical tone. His performance was discordant with his radical image, focusing on several short pieces -- delivered with an air of humor. Ginsberg, who now teaches at Brooklyn College, described himself as "the perfect delicatessen intellectual," adding that his media stereotype "is just that." He read poems which dealt with political issues, death and sexuality. "I am the secretary of my own consciousness," he said, explaining his subject choices. Audience members were impressed with the performances, often laughing with the poets and asking questions in the closing question and answer session. "It puts Ginsberg in a funnier light than I've ever seen him," said second-year Law student Reid Fontaine. "He was an excellent story-teller." Many were also excited by the readings, and crowds of students stayed to get books signed by the poets. "I was really impressed," said College freshman Johanna Kitman. "Hearing [Ginsberg] read changed what I'd thought of him. I was really expecting something totally different." College freshman Melanie Ried echoed Kitman's sentiments. "It is fascinating to hear someone read his or her own poetry," she said. "You find out that they're a cool person as well." English Professor Betsy Erkkila called the event "historic." "I thought it was terrific since both are major figures in contemporary culture. " she said. "To see the two of them in dialogue together was incredible." Creeley himself was also pleased with the event. He said that his purpose was to "move, please and relax" his audience. "I tailor my selections to my audience," he said. "I want to make them think about my words. Reading poems is more like being a musician. I mean, performance is performance." The poetry readings were sponsored by the Steinberg Symposium and the School of Arts and Sciences. Last year, the symposium focused on writers and critics of the Asian-American experience. This year's symposium will conclude tonight with a film screening of The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg and Pull My Daisy.