X.J. Kennedy and Diana
Der-Hovanessian:
“A Uniqueness That Hasn’t Been”
By Emily Pineau
“Words are not lifeless. They live in houses,” read
poet and translator Diana Der-Hovanessian at Endicott College, as part of the
Ibbetson Street Press/Endicott College Visiting Author Series. Der-Hovanessian
has been building houses for words ever since one of her editors asked her to
translate Armenian poetry. Not knowing Armenian well enough to comfortably do
translations, Diana studied Armenian at Harvard and Boston University, and
sought help from friends and poets. She is now the author of 25 books of poetry
and translations. Der-Hovanessian is an inspiration for poets, writers, and
anyone learning a new language. She has “brought a new soul” to both Armenian
and English with her translations, and has touched the souls of her
readers.
Following Diana’s reading, X.J. Kennedy, children’s
author, poet, and translator, took the stage. He said, “When you are writing a
poem you have to pretend you are Jesus Christ and can do no wrong.” It was
evident right away that he has just the right mix of humor and sensitivity in
his personality to create a timeless voice in his work. From his poem, “You
Touch Me,” he read, “You touch me and each cell of my body, one at a time, a
hearth comes on.” Deep, concrete images and feelings are revealed quickly in his
poems, and they have the power to stay you.
“Poems have to be concise whether they are long or
short,” Kennedy explains. It is clear that he follows this philosophy in his own
work, because each line of his has the ability to speak volumes alone. In a poem
Kennedy wrote about he and his wife going to The Guinness World Records, my
favorite line is when he says, “A uniqueness that hasn't been.” Even in just
this short phrase, there seems to be a whole story written here. This quality is
especially important in children’s poetry because children are engaged by vivid
images and strong emotions created in a short space of time. Kennedy’s poems
also have a musical quality to them, because of the smooth sounding words in each
line. In fact, Kennedy sang after he read his poems. “I have to sing my songs,
because if I didn't, who would?” he explained. Though, the truth is that
Kennedy’s words of wisdom, his poems (both children’s and otherwise), and his
spirit, move the soul to want to do just that—sing.
