We’ve all heard it said a thousand times
Poetry isn’t just stuff that rhymes.
And though it’s anathema to me
I’m reluctantly forced to agree.
Poetry can be many things it seems.
Like a distillation of our special dreams.
Free verse, blank verse, limerick or sonnet
A definition – We’ll never agree upon it.
But something with which we should all agree
There are some things which are NOT poetry.
An Olympic athlete may be poetry in motion —
Is Michael Jordan a poem? – Perish the notion.
Sheer poetry might describe a Picasso brushstroke.
But calling Guernica a poem is beyond any joke.
There’s poetic beauty in a crafted aphorism.
Yet calling THAT poetry would provoke an almighty schism.
Lets finally use some of our un-common sense.
Don’t call everything poetry because that is dense.
A picture’s a picture a saying’s — just that.
You can’t call them a poem unless you’re a P . . . hilistine.
Author notes
I joined this site a few years back when most of the offerings were reasonable approximations to poems. They may have lacked the rhymes, rhythms and structures I was taught at school but at least they were capable of being considered poems.
Now when I log on and click on a title I don't know if I am going to get a song, a picture, a coloured pattern, a story, a joke or maybe a poem.
As companions to ALLPOETRY there are sites for stories, sayings, philosophies, quotes all linked at the bottom of this page.
USE THEM
Leave this page for poems!
Comments
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this is very good and very honest too, i would not ever call myself a poet myself as this is something that i have only recently taken up (writting) and since i joined the site i have wanted to develope here, on looking back at some of my peices i have seen an improvement but i have a long long way to go, as for the comment below i totally agree with her and she is a great lady as she has given me some great tips to help me.
your words are very true. -
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Thanks for reading and writing. As you will have gathered I use these doggrel ditties to let off steam and have a bit of fun. To my mind that's what writing poetry is about; having fun.
You say you are not a poet but then very few people are if you consider what some critics say.
Here's my own thoughts on that matter if you have the time to take a peek.
http://allpoetry.com/poem/1303492
Jim
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Funny!
You've got a good sense of humor! I know exactly what you mean. When I first came here in February I was expecting a different thing entirely. Honestly, I'm not seeing many 'poets' who are supposed to be writing & commenting honestly in a way to help others become better poets [ourselves included!] do just that! I have a 'prim' ,I suppose, view of poetry & have written mostly lyric all my life [which I do BTW consider poetry ]! Thanks for the pithy & witty write & I'm looking forward to checking out the links. Just peeked! Would you believe I never saw these before! Thanks for the tip! I was looking for links from you! Love the flow of this, the content & the rhyme! You are a poet!
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Thanks for reading and writing.
It is good that you have stayed on board and are persevering with your poetry (of course lyrics can be poetry look at the stuff Robbie Burns and W B Yeates wrote that is still being regularly sung, even by me
).
May the ink in your pen never go dry!
Jim
BTW on the subject of links the best would be Oldpoetry but I might be biased as I am one of the mods over there
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Thanks for reading and writing.
It is good that you have stayed on board and are persevering with your poetry (of course lyrics can be poetry look at the stuff Robbie Burns and W B Yeates wrote that is still being regularly sung, even by me ).
May the ink in your pen never go dry!
Jim
BTW on the subject of links the best would be Oldpoetry but I might be biased as I am one of the mods over there
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Yeah! Absolutely true! I completely/totally agree on this issue
Liked the title you used and the way you wrote how and what you feel
And I'm not sure too when I click on a title I don't know if I am going to get a poem or something else
I go with “Hannahs Mom” too “If this site continues like this they should change it's title. They are misleading people.”
Any way I love your poem and yes I’m glad I clicked on this one and unfortunately I was not disappointed, this was a pure poem
I like the rhymes and the pattern, I like rhymes too, for me I feel poetry needs rhythm rhyme and I’m sure I won’t write anything that don’t rhyme, I’m a rhyming poet…. I’m delighted to read more of your rhyming poems so Keep up the good writing
Have a nice day
Shuberth
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It's nice to hear from a kindred soul. Thanks for your support and your kind words.
Jim
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I agree my friend.good on you for speaking out , Ros
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Speak your mind and shame the devil was one of my parents favourite maxims when i was younger
Thanks for reading and writing
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Good rant! Poetry should be poetry on a site that is called allpoetry! ***Pam***
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Thanks pam.
Glad you liked it. I find a written rant helps me let of steam safely
Jim
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Another beauty, I've caught that you like using the word "distillation;" it's okay, I would too.
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You caught me!! "a distillation of our special dreams" was taken from my own poem "I am not a Poet" as you spotted.
You win todays special award
Thanks for stopping by and for commenting.
Jim
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You are so right on this! Thanks for sharing your views on this! WAY TO GO JIM!!
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Thanks for your thoughts on this one.
Jim
PS On reading it again I saw I had credit Guernica to Dali instead of Picasso . . . oops
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Well shared ...
and a poem that may open a few eyes ... either way, the writer must keep writing and all the rest will sort itself out in the end. Reading old poems helps stimulate a sense for poetry but when it comes down to it ... poetry is an art and not everyone can draw! joy
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Thanks Joy,
It is nice to hear from a kindred soul.
Jim
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Your words were true
what's a poet to do
You don't have to rhyme
but a "poem" you should find!
Loved this!!
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Absolutely correct; a poem you *should* find!
And thanks for commenting in verse.
Jim
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Spot On...
If this site continues like this they should change it's title. They are misleading people.
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Good idea. Perhaps we should call it "Allsorts"! Bags me the minty ones
Jim
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and so say all of us. bravo
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Thanks for your support passim.
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nice!
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Thanks for stopping by.
Jim
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That is an interesting point, and you make it with distinctive style. There is much that can be called art, but only some of it is poetry. Unfortunately, much of what is posted here is neither art nor poetry.
I plead guilty to some of the misdeeds!
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Thanks for reading and writing. This was a private rant at first but I thought it worth sharing. I have clicked on what I thought were poems here and found all of the above. How can a picture be posted as a poem if it doesn't use words? OK "A picture is worth a 1000 words"
I am off again sorry
Jim
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Well said, that's why I don't log on as much as I used to!
Ann
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I am glad you logged on to this one anyway Ann. Please don't drop off altogether, your work DOES classify as poetry.
Jim
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Hear hear!
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Thanks for the encouragement Anemone. Now if only Kevin et all would agree
Jim
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I Agree
Very well done, it hits the nail squarely on the head and drives it home. I really have an admiration of your linguistic ability. I know when I log on to your page that I am going to get a poem. Thanks for your consistency, you have earned my respect.
Bless you Jim and have a great day.
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Thanks for reading my little rant Cap'n. I am sure there are many readers AND potential readers who are put off by the way things go.
Jim
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I agree that allpoetry has much more to offer the writer than simple poetic pages.
I have seen poetry
in the way a youngster displays
a natural talent to sing.
I have witnessed poetry in many things.
But with all we have to offer here,
I fear we've mixed the mediums,
and need to realign this space
to be a poetic place.
Thanks for letting the reader know their options. Excellent!
Much Love Always ♥
Renee
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Thanks for stopping by Renee.
As they say "All that glisters [sic] is not gold" Our cavalier use of poetry is even worse than misquoting the bard.
I like your final lines
But with all we have to offer here,
I fear we've mixed the mediums,
and need to realign this space
to be a poetic place.
Jim
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