13 August 2008

BEIRUT: Let it be known that the whir of espresso machines will not deter young poets from reciting their latest work. The Beirut-Type Writer open-mic poetry series, a monthly gathering of amateur poets, last week convened for the first time at its new venue - Cafe Younes, just off Hamra Street.

Jason Iwen, a former creative writing professor at the American University of Beirut (AUB), started the series four years ago. Since that time it has become a popular outlet for English-language poetry in Beirut.

Iwen's departure from AUB two years ago saw Michael Dennison replace him both at the university and as the organizer of the poetry series.

Founded at Makhoul Street's Bluenote Cafe, Beirut-Type Writer made the move to the new Cafe Younes last Wednesday. Dennison believes the shift will help attract a wider audience and some new poets.

"I am very happy with the new venue," said Dennison. "There were lots of new faces and that is important."

Given that Arabic is Lebanon's native language, and the historic cultural prestige accorded to French, it's hardly a surprise that Beirut has been home to many successful Arabic and French-language poets - from Akl Awit to Jad Hatem and beyond.

It may be a sign of the times that, after coming out of the closet four years ago, the city's English-language poetry scene has switched to a new venue.

The scene that Beirut-Type Writer has cultivated attracts young talent, primarily from AUB. "Beirut's English poetry community is growing each year and gaining a new momentum particularly recently," said Dennison. "I think it has a lot of potential to become an important part of the arts here."

Dennison opines that the growth of English-language poetry in and about Beirut has led to new perspectives on how the city is characterized in the arts.

"It seems there is a kind of film noir portrait growing out of the poetry of a Beirut filled with darkness, beauty, conflict, love and sexuality," he said. "It is giving the arts a fresh perspective on the city."

Wednesday evening's gathering was brief but absorbing. The atmosphere was familial - though, according to Dennison, there were many new faces.

"Though some of us are new," said one young poet, "we feel as though we already know each other as we share a common love for poetry."

A largely female group of poets read a dozen or so poems.

Tarek Chemaly, who Dennison described as "one of the most talented poets on the Eastern Mediterranean," demonstrated his talents with three pieces entitled "Brittle Ivory," "Subcommittee," and "Anatomy's Grey." Comical, ironic and filled with symbolism and allegory, his poems are cleverly wrought glimpses into the human condition.

Chemaly is a bit of an anomaly. Part poet, writer, university lecturer, journalist and agricultural engineer, he is modest about his accomplishments and his poetry. "I love poetry as it gives one a chance to experiment with language - with delivery, flow, construction, syntax and their fusion," he says. "Poetry is a condensed piece of news which uses innovative language and sometimes convoluted grammar, punctuation and decoupage to get the point across."

"iGod," the Chemaly poem that the Cafe Younes crowd most appreciated, comments on the cruel and inhumane impact of technology on the human spirit, while giving a new spin on this age-old theme. Echoing the brand names of products like i-pod and i-tunes, the poem's title speaks to the juxtaposition found within the poem. A brilliantly contemptuous piece, it had the audience giggling.

"Blessed are the Internet illiterates, for theirs is the kingdom of coffee shops, / Blessed are they who LOL, for they shall be conformed, / Blessed are the geeks, for they shall inherit cyberspace ..."

Becky Katz, a California native and AUB economics student, broke the mould with her untitled spoken-word poem dealing with themes of racism, multiculturalism and disillusionment with her homeland.

The poem begins with a falling out of love with the United States, its endemic racism and purported tolerance for minorities. The poem's strength, however, is found within her verse regarding her imminent arrival in Lebanon where she finds that, in fact, the grass is far from greener on the other side: "I come to see it's a sadly similar and twisted tale, / Fate of fiefdoms of factions of 1943 national pact, / And i don't have patience for any verbal factual flagellation / 'Cause these poetics never paid my bills and they won't bring my uncle back from Iraq."

The gathering ended with a surge of hugs, kisses and laughter of new and old friends, united in their love of poems.

"Life is lonely for a poet in Beirut," said one poet as she was leaving. "Sharing our work is like coming home."

The Beirut-Type Writer open-mic meets the first Wednesday of every month at Cafe Younes, off Hamra Street.

Copyright The Daily Star 2008.