My writing life began with poetry. In fact, I was a poetry snob. Fiction was for the less talented, for those who couldn't paint vivid pictures with words. Over the years, my viewpoint has shifted. I appreciate almost all types of writing now.
Over the years, I've let go of some of the poets I once loved. But a few remain with me. Joy Harjo is one of them. I have one of her collections on my bookshelf still. And this is one of the poems that resonated with me. Still does.
Over the years, I've let go of some of the poets I once loved. But a few remain with me. Joy Harjo is one of them. I have one of her collections on my bookshelf still. And this is one of the poems that resonated with me. Still does.
Do you read poetry? Listen to it? Write it? If so, who is your favorite poet?
I'm definitely not a poet. My prose isn't even that poetic. But I do follow several blogger buddies who are excellent poets.
ReplyDeleteI am not a poet and I know it. lol
ReplyDeleteI dabble sometimes writing poetry but all the technical side of poetry is beyond me.
When I watch poets reading the poems, like the video above I tend to just think. WOW!! your a bit strange. I guess I just don't have the right kind of mind for it.
I did try to do a course on poetry once to try to understand it a little better but I found the explanations of the meaning of the poems a little far fetched. They would dig so deep picking out all kinds of meanings behind a poem, that for instance, was written by a man on heroin. To me it just read as if the guy was tripping and I just felt that they were trying to read to much into it.
I have heard several famous poets say that they leave people wrongly guess the meaning of their poetry just because they find it amusing. I like poetry best when it is simple and not trying to be to stuck up or sophisticated. When it is raw and heartfelt. If that makes sense. So no, I am not a fan of poetry, unless it is written by your everyday Joe, as opposed to the more artistic types.
I LOVE reading poetry. I am not very skilled at writing it but I get such joy reading it and deciphering it if it's an ambiguous one.
ReplyDeleteI do occasionally write poetry tho not as much as I did when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you know I ADORE poetry. Thanks for introducing me to Joy!
ReplyDeletePowerful poem, Susan. I had to do Poetry as part of literature in high school, but don't have a real appreciation for it unless I read something that touches me. That said, I admire people who have a handle on that art form.
ReplyDeleteMy writing started with poetry too! I'm more of a whimsical poet, but I have written some serious ones when going through difficult things.
ReplyDeleteI'm the world's worst poet but I love to read a beautiful verse that speaks to me. This is definitely one of those! Thanks for sharing the video, Susan.
ReplyDeletePoetry speaks to our souls. I love poetry. I try to incorporate a poetic tone to all of my writing. It shows more in my fantasy writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing Joy's poetry to us.
I used to love poetry, but haven't been able to devote so much time writing and reading it as before.
ReplyDeleteYeats and Wordsworth are two of my favorite poets. :-)