I don’t think poetry gets enough attention. Compared to the other art forms (prose, painting, music, etc.), I think it tends to be shuffled to the back row. Even in bookstores, there are usually only a couple of shelves dedicated to poetry. I don’t think that’s fair.
My feeling is that many people think of poetry as something dense that they have to decipher. Probably because that’s how they were introduced to it in school. Granted, while Shakespeare’s sonnets are beautiful, the language isn’t the easiest to digest. Unfortunately, these same people were never introduced to some of the other, more accessible poets. If they had been, poetry might be a more popular genre.
This is why the Academy of American Poets started National Poetry Month in 1996. The purpose is to raise awareness of poets, their works, and the impact they have had on society. They offer a slew of suggestions, activities, and resources to help people get the word out about poetry.
For my part, I’m going to spend the month of April focusing on poetry here on my blog. I’ll share some of my favorite poems, favorite poets, and even some of my own work. My hope is that it’ll encourage you, dear reader, and others, to learn more about poetry and perhaps even read more of it.
To me, poems straddle an odd line in the art world. Some poems are like paintings in that they create a scene in my imagination, each line a brush stroke on the page. Other poems tell tales, bordering on prose. Still others are simply fun to read, a play of words and phrases that make me smile or think more deeply about a subject.
It’s amazing how much emotion can be displayed in just a few words or lines.
I hope you’ll stop by, read my posts, and be inspired to either read some poetry or write your own.
Do you have a favorite poet or poem?
RB
I shall certainly enjoy reading your blog in April Richard. I certainly enjoy reading poetry though I never write any myself.
I’ll do my best to entertain you, Sheree! Cheers!
Thanks
Happy Poetry Month, Richard. My favorite poem is The Ballad of Reading Gaol, by Oscar Wilde. It’s mind blowing.
Cheers, my friend! I’ve read some Wilde, but I don’t think I’ve had a chance to read The Ballad of Reading Gaol. I’ll add it to my reading list. Thanks!
I don’t think I actively read any poetry work, but this month you have a chance to rise to the top of my list of favorite poets 😉
If inspiration strikes, I will of course make a drawing based on any of your poems!
That’s very kind of you, Andrea. I’ll do my best to impress you. 🙂
Happy National Poetry Month, dear Richard🩵💖🩵
Same to you, my friend. Cheers!
🌹🙏🌹
I’m not the world’s biggest poetry fan. I guess I prefer poetry that reads more or less like prose. One work of poetry that I liked when I read it is Howl, by Allen Ginsberg.
Oh, Ginsberg was amazing, so good taste, my friend!
And if you think about it, song lyrics are just poems set to music. So if there are particular songs you sing along to, then you’re a poetry fan.
Poetry is a way to condense 500 words into a few lines. Happy Poetry Month, Richard.
A wonderful way to put it, Pat. Thank you!