What is Poetry? My 37¢.
What is a poem? What does it mean to be a Poet. As a beginner. Here are my thoughts..
Like most of youse, in my upbringing, poetry held little importance to me. Through the chapters of English classes and not even when watching “Dead Poets Society,” a beautiful film, mind you.
But as the plot of my life thickened. It’s as if poetry waltzed in and rewrote my story. I’m hoping it might just do the same for you.
What is Poetry? According to Merriam-Websters definition it is, Metrical writing : VERSE.
Seems fair, right?
Or check out this definition.
Writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm — Merriam-Websters
The definition felt a tad too stuffy, like slogging through a textbook. I barely managed to trudge through the definition of poetry and poems. I hope I didn’t lose you.
Which brings me to my next question. What truly makes something a poem?
Throughout history, poems have wrestled with the confines of definition. One might assert that they should rhyme, support rhythmic patterns, or elicit emotions through strategic line breaks.
Much like its origin. The word “poem” derives from the Greek “poiema,” meaning “a creation.” At its core, poetry resists such constraints, relentless in aiming to stretch language and literature.
To me, poetry blesses us in two ways. Grant me your attention and I will craft a tale painted in the hues of what poetry dares to be.
“We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in.” — Atticus Poetry
While my understanding of poetry is that of a novice, its first blessing is the potential to distill potent images into their most impactful and condensed forms. Each line serves as a brushstroke, meticulously placed to be savored and contemplated.
“Simplify, then add lightness” — Colin Chapman
You can stare at it for hours, and each time, an emotion or a whole scene reveals itself to you. Flash. Capturing a moment in time. Akin to experiencing an entire gallery within a single stanza.
“As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…”― Hermes Trismegistus
Mere thousands of words morph into a handful of stanzas, redefining the very potential of communication and language. As Anton Chekhov retorted, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
& with its twin power. It doesn’t just stop at painting a canvas but it’s also a master storyteller. Imagine this — with the stroke of a pen, you are condensing epic tales, the kind that would fill volumes, into just a handful of lines.
Close to lily pads, in a tranquil pond. Leading your reader further into the heart of the narrative. And the best part? Sentences fall equal to raindrops with each line. Stepped emotions become your compass, guiding your audience through every twist and turn of the story.
“O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won.” — Walt Whitman
There you have it, poetry transcends every realm. From age-old philosophies to beautiful hymns, and even snippets from gear heads and lyricists.
It’s all about sending a message that resonates. Serving as a mirror for your inner self, an expression as an attitude but also crafted for others. It becomes an art form.
To the devoted souls who live and breathe this art. With deep appreciation, this is where our roads part. Until we meet by and by, brothers and sisters. I’ll see y’all in another lifetime.
Want to write a poem or short story for a lover, friend, mother & father or for yourself to cherish?!
For any occasion you value, I am here for YOU.
Josh Rosales is a new writer and meditation coach. Writing about, “The set principles and fundamental laws that govern the nature of reality”, with story! If you are interested, please subscribe to my email list to make sure you never miss a publication. If you would like to have me write for you, please leave a comment with an email! Thank you for your time & indulgence!
