By Gloria
Kiconco Download pdf epub html
First, watch the amazing poetic video of Gloria
Kiconco on YouTube as she performs,
this time not on stage, but on camera. Then, come back and get to know this gorgeous
poet in this Q&A. The link is http://youtu.be/kVpNKsDOuUM
Kiconco on YouTube as she performs,
this time not on stage, but on camera. Then, come back and get to know this gorgeous
poet in this Q&A. The link is http://youtu.be/kVpNKsDOuUM
Lawino: It’s a pleasure to meet a gorgeous poet like you. I’d
love to know a bit about you.
Gloria: I’m Gloria Kiconco though I once went by
Glo-Flo when I was very involved with Bonfire in 2009. Now I’m back to just
Gloria. I recite at Poetry-in-Session and sometimes at Kwivuga. I’ve worked in
public relations and right now I’m a journalist and editor-in-training.
Glo-Flo when I was very involved with Bonfire in 2009. Now I’m back to just
Gloria. I recite at Poetry-in-Session and sometimes at Kwivuga. I’ve worked in
public relations and right now I’m a journalist and editor-in-training.
I got into spoken word in high school. I had two close friends, Joy and
Zac, who were very passionate about poetry, so we started a club and put on
poetry slams. It was the time I discovered Saul Williams who was a big
inspiration for my work at the time.
Zac, who were very passionate about poetry, so we started a club and put on
poetry slams. It was the time I discovered Saul Williams who was a big
inspiration for my work at the time.
Lawino: So you are
keeping up a dream from childhood. That’s fabulous. But tell me, you have
published poems in print, as well as performed them on stage. What is the
difference to you? Which form do you treasure the most, spoken word or written?
keeping up a dream from childhood. That’s fabulous. But tell me, you have
published poems in print, as well as performed them on stage. What is the
difference to you? Which form do you treasure the most, spoken word or written?
Gloria: I’m in love with the two styles. Poetry for
the page is very deep, spiritual, and sensual. I want to take my time with it. Performance poetry, to me, seeks a connection with others, a
conversation. It’s also thrill-seeking, only mad people want to get on a
microphone and share their thoughts. I take none over the other; they both
force me to different kinds of vulnerability.
the page is very deep, spiritual, and sensual. I want to take my time with it. Performance poetry, to me, seeks a connection with others, a
conversation. It’s also thrill-seeking, only mad people want to get on a
microphone and share their thoughts. I take none over the other; they both
force me to different kinds of vulnerability.
Lawino: You once described
your work as abstract, how do readers and listeners relate to it? Do you ever feel they don’t
understand what you are saying?
your work as abstract, how do readers and listeners relate to it? Do you ever feel they don’t
understand what you are saying?
Gloria: I don’t know how people relate to my poetry,
maybe not at all. I get a lot of compliments about my style of performance,
which is cool. I think people understand it but maybe they do not relate to it
and then it does not move
them. I write from a very self-centered place so it’s by chance that someone
really connects with my work. I’ve seen a big difference when I explore a more
relatable topic in less abstract form.
maybe not at all. I get a lot of compliments about my style of performance,
which is cool. I think people understand it but maybe they do not relate to it
and then it does not move
them. I write from a very self-centered place so it’s by chance that someone
really connects with my work. I’ve seen a big difference when I explore a more
relatable topic in less abstract form.
What matters to me is for people go away with something after watching my
performance. There is work we do for ourselves but more often we do it for the audience.
I write selfishly but perform for you, so are you stimulated? That’s what
matters to me. But again, it’s about balance, so I don’t always aim to
entertain.
performance. There is work we do for ourselves but more often we do it for the audience.
I write selfishly but perform for you, so are you stimulated? That’s what
matters to me. But again, it’s about balance, so I don’t always aim to
entertain.
Lawino: I’m dying
to know about the first time you performed.
to know about the first time you performed.
I don’t know, the earliest I can remember was in high school. I did a poem about the cycles of
aging, how the trends of today will be outdated in the future. I remember
acting out the part of an old woman. The crowd had a good time, I think some
people laughed where I wanted them to, though there is a huge chance I just
imagined that.
aging, how the trends of today will be outdated in the future. I remember
acting out the part of an old woman. The crowd had a good time, I think some
people laughed where I wanted them to, though there is a huge chance I just
imagined that.
The most embarrassing time is one I want to remember. I was 17 and
performing a group poem to about 1000 people and completely forgot my lines. I
was being cocky and thought I could deliver despite not having enough time to practice. It was humbling and funny. Everyone should bomb on
stage at some point. It’s healthy. But every time is potentially embarrassing.
performing a group poem to about 1000 people and completely forgot my lines. I
was being cocky and thought I could deliver despite not having enough time to practice. It was humbling and funny. Everyone should bomb on
stage at some point. It’s healthy. But every time is potentially embarrassing.
Lawino: Is there a story behind A New Prayer?
Gloria: Kind of. All I wanted was to express my extreme frustration out of a
relationship that went bad, but I ended up remembering the beautiful times too. Joy and sorrow cannot exist without each other
and God is present in both.
relationship that went bad, but I ended up remembering the beautiful times too. Joy and sorrow cannot exist without each other
and God is present in both.
The poem is about the loss of love. No one I love has died, but I’ve lost
a lot of people I love. I’ve moved often and left behind friends and family. Friends have had to leave me too. It hurts just as
much every time. I’m getting accustomed to drastic change and trying to learn
how to make the best of the little time I have with people instead of
withdrawing.
≈≈
a lot of people I love. I’ve moved often and left behind friends and family. Friends have had to leave me too. It hurts just as
much every time. I’m getting accustomed to drastic change and trying to learn
how to make the best of the little time I have with people instead of
withdrawing.
≈≈
Watch A New Prayer on
YouTube http://youtu.be/kVpNKsDOuUM
≈≈
≈≈
Gloria Kiconco once went by the stage name Glo-Flo, when she was still involved with
Bonfire Uganda in 2009. She is now back to just Gloria. She recites at
Poetry-in-Session and sometimes at Kwivuga. She has worked in public relations
and right now she is a journalist and editor-in-training.
Bonfire Uganda in 2009. She is now back to just Gloria. She recites at
Poetry-in-Session and sometimes at Kwivuga. She has worked in public relations
and right now she is a journalist and editor-in-training.
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