Poem of the Month for February

A departure this month. Follow the link to the Red Ensemble video of their interpretation of my poem Right. The ensemble used a recording of my recitation of the poem and Palestinian poet Ghazi Hussein’s recording of his Arabic translation as part of their improvisation. The piece was recorded at Glasgow City Halls.

The accompanying film features dancer Joan Beattie of the Vito Dance Theatre.

Right was originally published in “Chapman” and is in my collection “Good Morning“.

Red Ensemble performance of “Right”

Format Gallery

On 2 March 2011, The Red Ensemble performed a music, dance and film piece as part of the Red Road event at the Rectial Room in Glasgow City Halls.

Dancer Joan Beattie gave a beautiful interpretation of right, Charlie’s poem which juxtaposes George Bush’s procalimed support of the right to life with the actions of US and UK forces who launched volleys of Tomohawk Cruise missiles into Baghdad in the early stages of then Iraq war.

In the poem, a pregnant woman, Zubaida, is killed with her unborn child; an event undoubtedly common during that illegal attack.

Palestinian poet Ghazi Hussein translated that poem into Arabic and The Red Ensemble accompanied Joan Beattie’s dance with music and poetry from the recorded versions in Arabic and English. Film of Joan dancing provided background to the live dance, words and music.

The other pieces in the performance were His Tears would Fill an Ocean and Red Road.

The Red Ensemble, Ghazi Hussein and Charlie Gracie

Format Gallery

Look out for this music and poetry show at the Glasgow City Halls on 2 March 2011 that features the English and Arabic versions of Charlie’s poem right, translated into Arabic by Palestinian poet Ghazi Hussein.

See the English and Arabic versions of the poem.

Tom Dalzell from The Red Ensemble instigated this project. Check out the event page to find out more and see some things from Ghazi, Tom and The Red Ensemble.