My Daughter Asked, What is Poetry?
A poem in reply
My daughter asked What is poetry
Do you do freewrite? I said well, I suppose that’s what this is
Does it rhyme? Barely, hardly ever, if so, it’s on accident and unavoidable
I told her that poetry is where it’s the voice in your head telling you
When to stop, when to go, when to space, how to flow That rhymed she said
It’s rare, I said Poetry is more about the beauty of words
Out there, exposed Not hidden in paragraphs
Not hidden in prose I know, I know, I know I said, the rhyming
But, poetry is about expression in ways That reach people’s minds and hearts
A bit faster And about images and lines that
Stay in there for longer, like melodies, like lyrics Sure, like playground hopscotch and jump-rope games
Poetry is the action of translating your moments of emotions and feelings Into words that dig deep
Into words that take root in other people’s minds,
Into words that grow and bloom With other people’s emotions and feelings
Poetry is connection again and again and again Never just once,
Poetry is freedom, yes Poetry is listening to what’s inside
And being bold enough, brave enough, though shaking, To let it out
Jenny Justice is a mom, Sociology instructor, and writer. You can follow her on Medium and at Jenny Justice, Writer. She has been recognized as a Top Writer on Medium in Poetry, Parenting, Reading, Education, Books, Racism, and Climate Change, so far.
