Blog Umbra Vier (Number Four) - Saksham~

We had spent about two to three periods preparing and practicing for our big presentation in the Neilson Creative Art Centre. Our class had focused on the subject of Human Rights, and my group specifically (which consisted of myself, Brian, Chelsea, Iqbal and Rashawn) performed “The law is the same for everyone, it should be applied in the same way to all.” Brian and I were the speakers while Chelsea, Iqbal and Rashawn acted out the scenes. Our poem was two paragraphs long consisting of four lines each. The poem was quite simple and well thought out.

In the first period, the performers had figured out the first paragraph and had performed it quite well. During the second period, we had figured out the second paragraph and it got positive feedback from the class. From that point on, we changed a few small things around and removed or added scenes according to the poem. Overall the preparation was very simple and easy. We used both metaphorical and literal actions.

Ms. Walton had informed us that our class was required to choose a colour to wear, in order to look uniform. After a long and painful process (comparable to slamming your head on a wall covered with spikes) our class decided on the colour green, which represents a great healing power. It is the most restful color for the human eye; it can improve vision. Green suggests stability and endurance. Sometimes green denotes lack of experience; for example, a 'greenhorn' is a novice. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope. Green, as opposed to red, means safety; it is the color of free passage in road traffic. Dark green is associated with ambition, greed, and jealousy. Yellow-green can indicate sickness, cowardice, discord, and jealousy.
Aqua is associated with emotional healing and protection. Olive green is the traditional color of peace.

After we had all the classes had chosen their respective colours, we had two practice sessions on the stage and two practice sessions in the Art Centre on the day of the performance. The performance overall turned out quite well, and there were no failures or botches that I can recall.  All-in-all, it was a great performance and I enjoyed it, though I still am quite curious as to what Human Rights had to do with the gallery…

And I suppose because we're on the topic of poetry and such, I'll share one of my favourite snippets of a spoken word with you:

Chocolate Rain
Some stay dry and others feel the pain
Chocolate Rain
A baby born will die before the sin

Chocolate Rain
The school books say it can't be here again
Chocolate Rain
The prisons make you wonder where it went

Chocolate Rain
Build a tent and say the world as dry
Chocolate Rain
Zoom the camera out and see the light

Chocolate Rain
Forecast to be falling yesterday
Chocolate Rain
Only in the past is what they say

Chocolate Rain
Raised your neighborhood insurance rates
Chocolate Rain
Makes us happy 'livin in a gay

Chocolate Rain
Made me cross the street the other day
Chocolate Rain
Made you turn your head the other way

(Chorus)
Chocolate Rain
History quickly crashing through your veins
Chocolate Rain
Using you to fall back down again
[Repeat]

Chocolate Rain
Seldom mentioned on the radio
Chocolate Rain
It's the fear your leaders car control

Chocolate Rain

Lifts the ark of paradise in sin
Chocolate Rain
Which part do you think you're 'livin in?

Chocolate Rain
More than marchin' more than past and law
Chocolate Rain
Remake how we got to where we are

By: Tay Zonday.