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  for teachers: The Tao of Poetry as a learning tool
  
 


THE TAO OF POETRY: A Nonlinear Exploration of the Art
is a film designed to stimulate interest in the magic of language.

[NOTE: This film is probably best suited for college-level classes, as there are two minor instances of language which might not be considered appropriate for younger students...specifically the "BS" word and the "F" word.]

The film explores poetry through the eyes of Howard McCord, a poet with some 35 published volumes of poetry to his credit (as well as a novella, The Man Who Walked To The Moon, now available in paperback.)
 
Some people are artists; some are teachers. It's rare that someone does both at a high level.

Besides being a poet, McCord was an educator for 42 years, only recently retiring as head of the Creative Writing Program at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

In his dual role as a longtime poet and educator, McCord is a master of creating poetic lines---who just as masterfully communicates the magic of poetry to students.


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THE MOVIE
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THE TAO OF POETRY is now available on DVD. Here are five preview clips.

The main feature runs approximately 65 minutes, with an additional 25 minutes of bonus material.

Howard McCord is our guide through the film, exploring poetry in general as well as his own poetry and his life as a poet. In addition to McCord, other poets and educators offer their thoughts on poetry---and their thoughts on McCord and his work.

The film was shot on location in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma while McCord was on a poetry tour in support of his book THE COMPLETE POEMS, with additional biographical scenes, interviews, and discussions filmed in Wisconsin and Ohio.

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CONTENTS
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THE TAO OF POETRY contains:

1) General thoughts & discussions on poetry
2) Howard McCord reading some of his own poems
3) Biographical information on Howard McCord

GENERAL THOUGHTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

  • Why poetry?
  • Life as a poet
  • The poet's role
  • If you want to be a poet
  • To energize language
  • The poet's links to the past and future
  • Where poems come from
  • The role of emotion and intellect in poetry
  • Poetry for pleasure
  • Differences between poetry and prose
  • What kills a poem
  • What makes a good poem
  • What audiences respond to

McCORD'S POEMS:

  • More Physics (written 2001)
  • The Search (1967)
  • The Poet's Regimen (1965)
  • Truth Nine (1968)
  • Reach (1968)
  • Linguistic Physiology (1980)
  • The Duke of Chemical Birds Meets The Loupgarou (1972)
  • What Ohio Needs (1972)
  • The Old Beast Gives Advice (1970)
  • Jennifer (1972)
  • Pisgah Sayings (1965)
  • Friend/12 (1973)
  • Fables & Transfigurations (1965)
  • Dogs and Thunder (2001)
  • Din Din (2000)
  • Thomas The Cat Recites The Manner of His Death (2000)
  • Tale For A Wayfaring Stranger (1980)
  • Old Beast Talk (1970)
  • Katmandu Valley: A Hillside (1967)
  • Epitaphs (1971)
  • The Bear That Came To The Wedding (1968)

BIOGRAPHICAL BITS:

  • Howard speaks of his life as a poet, educator, and family man
  • Friends of Howard speak of his work through the years

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SUMMARY
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THE TAO OF POETRY is can be watched from start to finish in one session OR a chapter or two at a time, in any order, as the instructor prefers.

If you have any questions about THE TAO OF POETRY, please contact the filmmaker via email at: john at possibilityx dot come [address formatted this way to avoid spam] or by phone at 405  672  5722.