I’m currently at Blogspot, so I had to contend with embedding audio files and storage, and came up with a weird solution that (so far) has worked well.

First, I record my poem as an MP3 file using Audacity and a headset mic (helps me to focus and hear how I sound). Then I use Corel Paint Shop Pro to create a JPG file of the title of my poem on a blank white background. Next, I use Windows Movie Maker to create a WMV file with the poetry recording as the audio and the plain JPG title page as the “video” (because aesthetically I’m a less-is-more type of gal and I thought video of me reading would distract from the impact of the poem itself). Finally, I upload my WMV file to (don’t laugh too hard) YouTube, which I can link to by embedding the HTML code in my post.

It’s a round-about, low-tech approach but it works to overcome Blogspot’s limiting factors, and right now I’m just too lazy to migrate elsewhere!

I went through the Odeo/Audacity phase a while ago. I find “Garage Band” more flexible, with greater creative possibilities — especially when considering mixing sound beds of music and effects under your readings of your poetry. “GB” facilitates the creation of very dynamic presentations.

The only frustration I have with regard to the recordings I create of my poetry, is the realization that not everyone, who clicks on to listen to one of my mixes, will be doing so in high resolution, full range stereo (with subwoofer) — which is how they were mixed originally. Therefore, they don’t fully experience the impact of the piece.

But more and more people are understanding the value of quality sound for their computers — so it is those folks I keep in mind as I create.

I highly recommend that every blogging poet fully explore the remarkable possibility that is — spoken word recording. There is no better way to truly communicate the vision and intent of what you wrote. It eliminates all inflection, pronunciation, and meter problems that can creep in when someone else is interpreting what you’ve written — allowing you to precisely communicate the power and focus of your written creation.

Blogger only supports embedded audio at present (embedded audio is not my favorite - read my Li-Young Lee post if you want the “full” opinion.)

I have yet to make the step into WordPress, but think Whirling Dervish and I might have to!

I create them on a MAC G5 Quad Processor computer, using a program called “Garage Band” to create my recorded mixes. I then save these into “iTunes” so that I can convert them to MP3 format, for which I create a ‘file name’ — then I upload this MP3 file to my blog using a software program called “Transmit”.

My blog is a WordPress format that I host on an independent BlueHost server, so I uploaded a ‘plug-in’ called Audio Player, version 1.2.3 created by Martin Laine for WordPress: http://www.1pixelout.net/code/audio-player-wordpress-plugin/

The hardware I use is: • M-AUDIO FastTrack mini-mixer, • M-AUDIO iControl, • Shure Bros. SM58 Vocal Microphone, and a • Radio Shack 33-370 Desktop Microphone Stand.

Like Dave, I see poetry as an oral art, and I have had the good fortunate to hear many page poets deliver wonderful readings that are as powerful spoken as they are read.

One of the shortcomings I find with novice poets is their inability to consider or the absence of attention to sound. When we write, when I write, I am very conscious of the sounds and well as the sense of a read. I highly recommend checking out Mary Oliver’s Poetry Handbook and Robert Pinsky for their take on the sound of poetry.

Must — must — must speak…