You are reading this essay or column in a web site devoted to poetry. If you've taken some time to look around, or if you've been coming to this site for a while, then you probably have noticed how many people, and what variety of people post poems. You may also have noticed how many read and leave comments. Today I'd like to explore with you why do we poets or aspiring poets, or amateur poets, why we do what we do.
When some people think of poetry, they get this idea of delicate people dressed like Bohemians, hippies, "intellectuals," and other such stereotypes, maybe quaffing coffee or sipping liquor, lounging around or sitting in parlours listening or reciting pretty verse. Or we think now on the poetry slams, the open mikes, or the rhyming rhythmic lines of anthologies or greeting cards. By now, many of us are also familiar with the blank verse or free verse which came into vogue in the last century. Yet I would suspect many of you are already thinking to yourselves or even saying out loud, "No! I know that poetry is so very much more than that!" But for the sake of thoroughness, why don't we take a look-see, eh maties?
Some reasons why you could or should write poetry
To send someone you love your love;
To describe a place you think beautiful;
To say how you feel:
___about a recent tragedy
___about a past injustice
___about a person you like
___about a hero you admire...
To boast of your accomplishments;
To commemorate another's deeds;
To memorialize a fallen hero;
To describe a moment or place of beauty;
To interpret a perception;
To open a passage in time...
For now, let us not assume this is done. This essay is another cafegroundzero work in progress. I have a train to catch. Two trains en effet. Maybe we will be strangers passing in the light of day. Maybe one of us will pass the abode of the other. If you chance to make eye contact, don't be shy to say hi!
Having started a series of essays on poetry, I got to thinking the other day, as I walked into Pets' Mart, why write poetry? Not wanting to assume everyone's reasons were the same, I decided to explore the reasons why we who write poetry versify, recite, and otherwise compose and set poetry in some semi-permanent form.
Add a comment
Comments
-
Interesting. I starting thinking about why I write poetry and I really don't know. I started as an outlet to get my feelings out and escape. This is a great column, thanks for sharing
-
-
Hi Foxy Daze
Good to read from you. You know, I find that if you keep writing poetry, you will discover reasons you never suspected, and learn things about your self, mind, soul, that you might not have learned otherwise. Also poetry is a great way to process what you perceive and receive from the world and universe and more that is outside that and bigger than we will ever know.
-
-
Hi mr
I like it.
I'm sure some people will also ask "what kind of a poet am I" - which was the first question that popped up in my mind.
Whenever I tell someone I write poetry, they give me a funny look asif they're thinking "but you don't look like a poet" - I assume most people also get the picture of William Shakespear in their head and that's what they're stuck with.
I on the other hand look more like a punk chick that should rather go and spray paint a wall.
Poetry to me is also in a picture - silent poetry - if you paint a wall or write the words it's all the same to me - even singing in a way.
Thank you for sharing.
~B~ -
-
Hi Bronwyn:
Good to read from you. You wrote:
"Poetry to me is also in a picture - silent poetry - if you paint a wall or write the words it's all the same to me - even singing in a way."
One thing I've started to do is write poetry on walls and also on sticky notes and leave it in public places.
Keep thinking. Keep writing. Let it flow.
Enjoy the summer (or is it your winter?) See you on the brighter side of midnight, friend.
-
Adding your comment:
