Poetry is about how we say something more than it is about what we say—its purpose is to speak to the mind, the heart, and the spirit. Do pause and reflect upon each poem in turn before progressing to the next one.
Poetry focuses the mind on the crux of the matter, discarding the white noise which surrounds the subject matter. Poetry can distil the essence of a topic like no prose could. A passion for the subject matter is a prerequisite to penning unique poetry.
Poetry is an excellent tool to dispel depression—something that many of us might fall victim to during these uncertain times, especially when isolated from our usual support systems. Poetry is a valuable tool in trauma counselling—it can be cathartic as it might bring about closure to unresolved issues.
Poetry is an interesting way in which you can retain information, eg abecedarian poems. Many poems are best read out loud (especially your own to check the flow of the poem, ie a hesitation over a word)—this will develop your ear for the rhythms to be found in poetry. It helps to build vocabulary when employing certain poetic devices, for eg homophones, homonyms, contronyms (contranyms), etc.
It assists in learning new languages, or the pronunciation of new words, for example, quay (pronounced ‘key’), by rhyming, for eg couplets. Word games, for eg The Blitz, assist memory. A good vocabulary; general knowledge on diverse subjects such as legends, natural phenomena, history, current affairs, etc; and a keen eye for detail, are all essential traits.
It teaches one to view the world with fresh eyes, therefore, keep a notepad handy or record the moment on your cellphone. Bearing in mind that poetry is an art form, take your time over the composition and enjoy the creative process, but do try and avoid over-thinking a poem. It is an echo of your psyche that gives it a distinctive voice. Writing poetry can be as addictive as any substance abuse, but without the adverse side effects. Poems are not written in stone, and you might wish to return to it at a later date to make alterations; don’t discard drafts as they might be the trigger for fresh ideas in the future. Accept that your poems will not find favour with everyone—even John Keats’ work was vehemently rejected during his lifetime.
Why should one sample the various poetic forms at one's disposal? To my mind, it keeps the poet’s mental dexterity in shape by focussing on various aspects of the composition of poetry. By switching between genres, poetry is a great aid to overcome writer’s block. But, what if you as a poet are experiencing writer’s block? You feel as though everything you observe had already been described. My go-to remedy is to read quotes, for example, by Brainy Quote.
Poetry is timeless and the legacy you leave through your thoughts thus captured might resonate throughout the ages; poetry is a form of immortality. Therefore, write about what is close to your heart and let your keen observations permeate your script. If YOU don’t feel the poem moving you, it will not move anyone else!
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Copyright © Suzette Richards 2021
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