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By Josh Kendrix/Appeal-Democrat
September 14, 2006 -
Poetry is often considered the least
accessible of the written forms to common people, according to Richard
Beban.
Beban, a Los Angeles-based poet, hopes to change this trend. He
will read from his new poetry book, “Young Girl Eating a Bird,” at
Amicus Books on Tuesday.
“In the past 50 or 60 years, poets would lock themselves away in
academia and write for each other,” Beban said. “I write (poetry) for
people who work 9-to-5 jobs.”
“Young Girl Eating a Bird” takes its title from a lesser-known
painting by surrealist Rene Magritte. Beban was so struck by the
painting, he used it for the cover of his poetry book.
“It seemed appropriate since the more you dig into life, yours or anyone's, the more surreal it seems,” Beban said.
“Young Girl” itself was also borne while Beban was in school. The
book was a manuscript Beban had worked on for two years that was
polished to the point that his publisher, Red Hen Press, made few
changes.
Beban turned to poetry in 1993 after a 30-year career in
screenwriting and journalism. “I was writing (screenplays) that were
 optioned but were never getting made, which wasn't as artistically
fulfilling,” Beban said.
Poetry to Beban allows greater flexibility for expression. “When
I'm reading my poems, I'm more in touch with my soul and make a greater
connection with people.”
One of his greatest inspirations for poetry is the soul singer Sam
Cooke, who had a long and distinguished career in gospel, R&B and
pop music. Cooke once advised protege Bobby Womack to keep your art
simple, and to write in language that people will understand, according
to Beban.
“Sam Cooke's music and his inspiration to (write in a simple tone)
sort of sum up what I'm trying to do,” he said. “I try to write poetry
that people will understand. Some of it is lyrical, some is political,
some is rhyming. I want to get people more into poetry through my own
works.”
Richard Beban
When: September 19th 2006
Where: Amicus Books, 413 D St., Marysville
Info: Call 530-237-6402.
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