Poetry: Why it is Important: Scott Griffin at TEDxBishopsU

Scott Griffin is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist best known for founding the Griffin Poetry Prize, one of the world's most generous poetry awards in 2000, and Poetry In Voice, a recitation competition for Canadian high schools. He is also the Chancellor of Bishop's University. Chancellor Griffin sits on several NGO boards, as a director of Canadian Executive Services Overseas (CESO), a volunteer advisor to CESO, and a director of African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) Canada. In 2006, Chancellor Griffin published a memoir entitled My Heart is Africa that recounted his two-year aviation adventure starting in 1996, working for the Flying Doctors Service in Africa. He was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in December, 2012. His talk explores the importance of poetry in society.

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[cfbanciu]

I would like to express my admiration and thanks, Mr Griffin, for your love for “The power and beauty of the written and spoken word!” and for your commitment to educate young people (and not only) to get access to this fabulous power and beauty that can sometimes save lives. During communism in Romania almost everybody was reading poetry. We had at least one literary magazines in every important city. BUcharest had about 4. We stood in line for books the same way we did for the missing food. Poetry and art was soul food and saved us from complete alienation, gave us trust and the power to survive.
And what a coincidence, today I read that the Romanian poet Ana Bladiana was honored with the LIFETIME RECOGNITION AWARD by The GRIFFIN TRUST FOR EXCELLENCE IN POETRY. This is great news.

[dare]

I stumble across this through my search of something completely different and question why? Somewhat curious somehow interested in the context of its title,
I press play and away my mind immersed itself into the sharing of words and vibrant execution of harvested thoughts projected in a palatable tone. I then ask myself why?
Why have I come to be in this moment in time, given the exposure to this subsistence to fuel my wonder and recall my mind from this journey…
Why now, somehow things seem to happen at a moment when I unknowingly need it most.
I suppose I’ll restart it now and once again lose myself in its subtle yet strong hold. Let the lesson be told, I am listening.

[jennyatmodus]

Thank you so much and what an absolute joy to hear you read Thomas and Arnold 🥰👏

[annayin]

I have watched this many times, it still resonates! Thank you Mr. Griffin!❤❤❤

[rievans]

"we all need to read poetry and when we come across a beautiful line to commit it to memory"...….Amen!

[oniketsoore]

poetry is the essence of language! precisely! It's also the essence of everything, the essence of life! I adore u, Scott Griffin!

[lohkoonhoong]

Song and singer must unite together
For the wind to lift them like a feather.

[calebrichardson]

Who else is watching this for distance learning 😂😂😂

[kentroklus]

How is it possible that this video only has 172 likes?! This is such a wonderful speech! I wish there were more like it.

[pdlyons]

i am so grateful to mr griffin for this poetry video. wonderful .

[isamar]

Thank you Mr. Griffin for your work for poetry and youth!

[christophergood]

This talk is fine, I suppose, but Griffin's recitation is out of this world. I have rarely heard a more talented reader. I hope I have his voice at his age . . .

[erickmeyer]

It kind of negates that whole punishment makes kids hate things argument I was told in college while learning to teach. What a fabulous punishment!

[nallekarhu]

Poetry is is perfect
But music more so
For when im sad
Between notes ..i go
Mere words console
Of that no doubt
But vibrating strings
With some one who sings
Is for me
A more wonderful thing

[Heartonpoetry]

Inspirational, motivated me to keep on writing and growing. Posting my work to social media platforms, hoping that they do some good to someone.

[dennisr.levesque]

Please forgive me. I need to address the dark side of poetry:

Lost In Advice

Ground, ground, so much to plow.
Good from bad, discern it how?
Test & study, and retest again.
Waste my time. till I start to spin.
Life, life, such a high price.
I gotta go and get some advice.

Seeds, seeds, so many to sow.
Which will die, and which will grow?
The more I've thought, the more I've sinned.
Should I just cast them into the wind?
Water, water, but it's solid ice.
I gotta go and get more advice.

Things, things, so many to do.
Should I work until I turn blue?
The more I do, I find open locks.
Did someone open my Pandora's Box?
With advice I will gird.
But alas, it's only a word.

Words, words, so many to choose.
The more I need, the more I peruse.
The more I peruse, the more I need.
Should I use words until I bleed?
Damn, damn, this ain't nice.
Here I am, lost in advice.

Brains, brains, so easy to use.
They're so easy, I get confused.
Don't wanna reach my point of dispare,
And just throw my arms up in the air.
Think I'll go back the way I came,
And try again 'till I'm insane.

Needs, needs, so many to feed.
From this work, how can I be freed?
Don't want fatigue to cause me to sin.
But maybe later, I can try again.

Please, please, just take me home.
I am tired, and now I groan.
I know you love me, and you're the best.
So grant my prayer for a little rest.
Time, time, don't wanna think twice.
I'm already lost in advice.

[TheAnnayin]

More poeple need to see this....wonderful and powerful in its truth!

[DrSylva]

Extra ordinary way of expressing the beauty of poetry...by Poet Scott
l like to hear it many times more if I have time...
I wish I can...!

[monikamonika]

It is my first time to listening poetry really it is nice i really i enjoy it

[moranih]

No kid grew up hating the idea of buying a car because they were forced to wash one as punishment.