The title defines what the poems within this collection are designed to achieve. I believe that so long as they stir or conjure a picture within the imagination of the reader, that all poetry is performance poetry; I have set the words on the page simply to allow more accessibility should the reader be compelled to investigate the poem further. However, the work in this collection for me, symbolizes a deeper immersion in the bottomless pool of metaphor and similie, which I feel would require more than one performance for an audience to absorb. The totem poems featured in this collection attempt to approach the art of communication froma more minimallistic angle. Body language says infinitely more than words, so in theory, someone immensely adept with body language might have no need for words. My point being, totem poems are an attempt to communicate much with single words, which is why every word commands a seperate line. Perhaps one day, when I can convey anything with a simple gesture, i wont need to speak… or write.
An extract from Totem Nine by Dike Omeje
From
flames
your
love
exposes
Every
spitting
spark
is
seething
2
be
fire
