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Timothy Hicks Biography

My name is Timothy Hicks, and I've been writing for 5 years now, since I was 13. My main hobbies include writing, playing my piano, origami and bicycling.

I'm a bit OCD about some things and some would refer to me as a nervous pacer. I like to do outdoor activities, but at the same enjoy my alone time where I can sit and write. I'm a very avid reader and enjoy several different genres: horror, science-fiction, fantasy, and mysteries such as Sherlock Holmes.

I've had several different jobs including shakerboarder, pizza-make and cotton candy maker-and-distributor.

I like to think of myself as someone that can fit into almost any crowd and I always try to stay on the bright side of things. I swear very little and hardly ever get mad at people. I believe spreading smiles is a much better practice than sharing negativity...

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Spoken Word Poetry

Blog Posted by Timothy Hicks: 3/27/2021 5:20:00 PM

What are your guys thoughts on Spoken Word Poetry? For me, I never gave it much thought ... I mean, what difference is the meaning of the poem whether you hear someone else say it aloud, or you read it inside your head? But after coming across a specific YouTube channel, where all the videos are spoken word poetry, I've realized how wrong I've been.

Maybe it's better to say I've RARELY heard spoken word poetry that is exceptional. I don't know who is the name of this guy, but his reading voice (in my opinion) is tremendous. Here is a clip of him reciting Walt Whitman's poem, "The Open Road", but there are many other famous poems he reads like Robert Frost's, "The Road Not Taken", Rudyard Kipling's "If", and so and so forth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgbc_RcKF8

Let me know what you think! About the video and the topic in general...

-Tim

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Line Gauthier

March 28, 2021 at 10:31 PM

I've seen spoken word ~ they are nothing short of actual performances. They are far from poetry readings. Two different worlds of art. If you are not sure what 'spoken word' is, check this out. There's is a whole movement of Spoken Word out there and many others as talented as this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdjIFkM-ohQ

Timothy Hicks

March 29, 2021 at 5:44 AM

I used to watch AGT all the time. I remember hearing about this guy ... the first poet to win the show! Incredible. "How about I trade my 6 feet for yours" ... always gets me. Thanks for the share, Line.

Craig Cornish

March 28, 2021 at 7:31 PM

So very few can read poems well. Those like Ron Perlman are exceptional - check out his reading of Byron's She Walks in Beauty as an example---most who try, however, and are not classically trained, don't do a poem justice and it's better left to a reader's interpretation.

Timothy Hicks

March 28, 2021 at 10:14 PM

Thanks for the share, Craig. His performance was indeed impressive!

Quoth Theraven

March 28, 2021 at 7:01 PM

Timothy Hicks's Blog.., totally hijacked now. the voicemail - Spoken Word Poetry: https://youtu.be/yu8T38PbkI8

Timothy Hicks

March 28, 2021 at 9:29 PM

That was oddly moving, Raven. Thanks for the share. I think one thing I’ve noticed about Spoken Word Poetry is the inclusion of music ... really puts it on a whole other level.

Wendy Watson

March 28, 2021 at 7:03 AM

What a beautifully rich and compelling voice. No wonder he's used for top voice-over projects. I have listened in to certain audio recordings on this site which have definitely enhanced the poem but when poets upload a computerised version which just sounds robotic and lacking the natural flow, I would much rather hear the poem internally.

Timothy Hicks

March 28, 2021 at 10:12 PM

I heartily agree with you on both counts. Another fantastic reciter would be Shane Morris (which you can also find on the YouTube Channel RedFrostMotivation). I would say most of the time, just reading a poem internally is best, because the odds of finding a great reciter that will enhance versus one that will mar... is very slim.

Beryl Edmonds

March 28, 2021 at 6:53 AM

The reading of “The Open Road” is wonderful. A lady named Krystal Long picked up on a poem I’d written in the early days of the pandemic Covid-19 and read it out on YouTube, I came across the reading quite by accident, I hadn’t been asked if the poem could be used, but Krystal did mention my name (it is my legal name) she read the poem beautifully and I was really thrilled to have it out there. Link to the reading - https://youtu.be/1pmJWwfgNj8

Beryl Edmonds

March 28, 2021 at 8:52 AM

Thank you Andrea ~ Belle

Andrea Dietrich

March 28, 2021 at 8:48 AM

that is so cool!

Suzette Richards

March 28, 2021 at 4:05 AM

Since the reading by Amanda Gorman of her poem The Hill We Climb, I have changed my view regarding poets reading their own poetry - the written form does not do it justice. Great blog and interesting comments below.

Timothy Hicks

March 28, 2021 at 10:08 PM

I didn’t watch the inauguration. Having looked up this performance just now I can say ... wow! She is a talented one.

Victor Buhagiar

March 28, 2021 at 2:18 AM

I have a computer with Windows 10. I never post my poems before I review any poem and hear the words read. Incredible how some mistakes can be found out, not to mention lack of punctuation.

Timothy Hicks

March 28, 2021 at 9:33 PM

That makes sense. Spoken and written word, while different, are still deeply connected in how they communicate meaning.

Brian Strand

March 28, 2021 at 1:22 AM

The apex of our art Tim(imho) I have had much of my poetry on youtube clips(see links on blog profile) since 2013 ,when I was inspired so to do by an example by talented PS poet Carrie Richards(see top 100 all time contest list)

Quoth Theraven

March 27, 2021 at 7:57 PM

Happy Saturday Timothy, No too bad a voice for verse. Have you heard Tom O'Bedlam's reading of "We Are Seven" by William Wordsworth? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D7Rc52RX3k -Richard

Quoth Theraven

March 28, 2021 at 6:48 PM

Happy Palm Sunday Timothy, I noticed that contrast too. I'll stay away from the spoken word until I can convince my Hungarian friend to read poetry for me. -R

Timothy Hicks

March 27, 2021 at 9:35 PM

Just heard it now. Never heard of Tom O'Bedlam before, but I think he has a unique voice for reading poetry. My only thought is that it seemed he was reading a bit fast? Of course my own example was quite slow in contrast ... lol!

Leo Larry Amadore

March 27, 2021 at 7:36 PM

I like to hear poets (and others who are gifted) read poetry (I have posted many of my own poems with audio on this site), although I must admit that I have indeed heard some rather disappointing readings by some very famous (old) poets. Poets who provide audio versions often nudge readers/hearers to more accurately and deeply understand and appreciate their works.

Timothy Hicks

March 27, 2021 at 9:37 PM

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. Poetry reading (if done well) can really enhance the experience ... but if done poorly it can actually do damage to it. Whoever is reading the poem really has to MAKE the listener believe what he/she is saying.

Edward Ibeh

March 27, 2021 at 5:56 PM

That narrator has a voice as good as James Earl Jones', IMO. I wish I knew how poets I admire on this site actually sound, lol. Like Andrea, I've also put my voice in 3 of my poems so far, which I've included below. It was uploaded by a friend of mine as I don't know how to do so, yet. Here are the direct links: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/inferno_1227638 https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/lost_in_the_wilderness_1184609 https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_roaming_autumn_wind_771025

Beryl Edmonds

March 29, 2021 at 5:10 AM

I have listened to the readings of those three poems of yours Edward, lovely poetry and definitely enhanced by hearing the reading... Belle

Andrea Dietrich

March 28, 2021 at 8:49 AM

Let me check one out.

Edward Ibeh

March 28, 2021 at 3:18 AM

Thank you very much, Brian:-)

Brian Strand

March 28, 2021 at 3:11 AM

Great voice Edward for recitation,measured & mellow..hopefully PS will take up my audio anthology idea

Timothy Hicks

March 27, 2021 at 9:41 PM

Clicked on one of the links. Never heard of the "Yalto" form before. I think you did a good job reading your own poem ... though it's too bad it only goes for 30 seconds or so. (Hard to stretch something out, I suppose, while at the same time, keeping your reader hooked) Maybe one of these days I'll try it myself....

Timothy Hicks

March 27, 2021 at 9:38 PM

He does have a James Earl Jones quality, doesn't he?

Andrea Dietrich

March 27, 2021 at 5:30 PM

I am hearing the video at this moment, but like I said at Brian's blog just now, I do not have time to do things slowly, so it's not for me. But you are right, this guy has a VERY good voice for reading poetry!! I actually put my voice to just a few of my poems. One is called It Was in September (I hope I got that right) Did you put your voice to any of yours? (and I am finished just at the end of that poetry reading).

Andrea Dietrich

March 28, 2021 at 1:55 PM

how VERY weirdly coincidental that the poem I told you to read was inspired by one of YOUR few contests you ever sponsored at Soup. Thanks so much for the inspiration to create that poem of mine.

Timothy Hicks

March 27, 2021 at 9:22 PM

I've never put my voice to any of my poems. Like the majority of people, I don't like the sound of my own voice... lol. I'll have to check our your It Was in September poem reading soon!

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