Like, what IS Poetry?

Poetry defined

“Poetry is the kind of thing poets write.”

-Robert Frost1874-1963

Poetry

Poetry eludes simple definitionRead through a poem and see

what characteristics might be a part of the definition

Poetry

If Robert Frost had said, “Poetry is a rhythmical composition of words expressing an attitude, designed to surprise and delight, and to arouse an emotional response,” we might have been content.

Poetry

It’s a different kind of presentation of words, thoughts, feelings.

Poets want their audience to be moved, affected, changed.

Sloooooooow down……

A poem differs from most prose in that it is to be read slowly, carefully and attentively.

Let’s expand this idea

What is the work of a poem? To touch us, to stir us, to make us glad (or sad or mad), and possibly even to tell us something.

Myths about poetry

Maybe we can figure out what it is if we figure out what it isn’t.

Myth #1

Poems have to rhyme.

Roses are red, Violets are blue;I made this PowerPointEspecially for You.

Myth #2

Free Verse is simply chopped-up sentences strung along a page. As Mort Castle said:

▪ Just because p you shape 0 it like a poem e doesn’t mean m it is a

Myth #3

Poetry is whatever you want it to be.Where am I going?What does life mean?Why does no one listen?Why does no one care?Why is life so painful?Why am I so lonely?Where can I find love?How long must I wait?

Pobrecita!!!...BUT…

No…..

Just questions, not poetry!No images! No figures of speech!No interesting use-of-language!No insight or implication!None of the devices of poetry!None of the art!

Myth #4

Poetry is abstract.It means whatever the poet wants it

to mean. Poetry isn’t a Rorschach test. It isn’t abstract. It isn’t vague. Poetry is as exact and concrete as sculpture. Poets, especially, choose words veeeeeery

carefully because of the format itself.

Myth #5

Poems are intended to teach important truths.

Nope: Sermons, lectures, essays,

abstracts and informative articles do that.

Poetry is art and the role of art is to REFLECT life, not to teach lessons.

Myth #6

Poems are usually depressing.Poignant clichés make poems

tragic.

No they aren’t/don’t.

“A Single Tear”

Under the pale moona pale maidenwrapped in diaphanous blackmourned her lost love

In her slender fingerswhite as alabastershe held a wilting rosered as her blood

…….. (YUCK!)

Her red red blood ranalong her white white wristsand mixed with the redof the rose

Under the pale moonher face froze to waxher blood froze to rubiesand, dying, she wepta single tear

Case in Point:

What lesson do you learn from viewing the Mona Lisa?

An Echo from Willow-wood(Christina Rossetti, ca. 1870)Two gazed into a pool, he gazed and she,

Not hand in hand, yet heart in heart, I think,Pale and reluctant on the water's brink,

As on the brink of parting which must be.Each eyed the other's aspect, she and he,

Each felt one hungering heart leap up and sink, Each tasted bitterness which both must drink,

There on the brink of life's dividing sea.Lilies upon the surface, deep below

Two wistful faces craving each for each, Resolute and reluctant without speech: —

A sudden ripple made the faces flowOne moment joined, to vanish out of reach: So those hearts joined, and ah were parted so.

An Echo from Willow-wood(Christina Rossetti, ca. 1870)

Two gazed into a pool, he gazed and she, not hand in hand, yet heart in heart, I think, pale and reluctant on the water's brink, as on the brink of parting which must be. Each eyed the other's aspect, she and he, each felt one hungering heart leap up and sink, each tasted bitterness which both must drink, there on the brink of life's dividing sea.Lilies upon the surface, deep below two wistful faces craving each for each, resolute and reluctant without speech: — a sudden ripple made the faces flow one moment joined, to vanish out of reach: so those hearts joined, and ah were parted so.