I don’t read enough poetry. I have some favourite poets and anthologies, but I have to be in a particular mood for them. It’s easy to get absorbed in a novel and I can to some extent let go of my thoughts and escape into the story. With poetry, that’s not the case. Poetry requires concentration; the reader must engage with the content, meaning, structure, rhythm, to gain satisfaction from it. I think that’s why many people are put off reading poetry, as it seems like too much effort, or indeed they have memories of studying it at school where the dissection of lines took priority over enjoyment.
But then what is poetry? It’s not just words printed in a certain way on a page. Poetry is all around us. Words, images, sounds and experiences. Broaden your definition of poetry, and you’ll realise that it’s everywhere.
I wrote this post on impulse because it’s National Poetry Day. I’m going to read some poems later. However, I’ll be keeping in mind that when I hear a cat purring, when I see the clouds moving across the sky, when I crunch through the autumn leaves, that’s poetry too.
LOVE LOVE this write up! Your closing was beautiful –> “I’ll be keeping in mind that when I hear a cat purring, when I see the clouds moving across the sky, when I crunch through the autumn leaves, that’s poetry too.” And how true that is!
Thank you, Jee! I wasn’t going to write anything today but this popped into my head. I appreciate your support of my blog 🙂
Same here, NS! TQ for always reading and commenting! Really appreciate it! And you’re right when you said I’m a #1 Fan of your blog 🙂
Thank you!! 🙂
Love this post. Writing poetry was on my mind a lot yesterday!!
So true what you say about being put off reading poetry. Personally I’d go as far to say that even though I’m a reader of poetry, all those things you mention about engaging with structure, rhythm, content, is why I refrain from attempting to write it. Even though I would love to and often write little things on my phone, in my notebook- I need some confidence with it!
Thanks for your comment! Writing poetry does need a bit of self-confidence to get the words on the page. Like with writing anything else, it will look rubbish when first written down, but just move the words around and think about the meaning you want to convey and it will fall into place. Would be interested to see any poems you put on your blog 🙂
I think autumn carries with it such lovely natural poetry, well summised here!