Why read poetry?
By Laurel Garver, author of Muddy-Fingered Midnights
(Yes it does!)
Like
fiction, poetry also has sub-genres: lyric (descriptive), narrative (story),
formal (following rhythm and rhyme patterns), concrete (artistically shaped
lines), found (“stolen” words and lines combined artistically), spoken word,
Flarf (avant garde combos of pop culture), and many more. There’s a little
something in verse for everyone—even fans of “pulp fiction,” romance, SciFi or
horror. (For an extensive list of magazines with poetry, see Poets & Writers database here.
I fell hard for poetry while taking a contemporary poetry course
as an undergrad. The prof began the class by lining us around the perimeter of the
room and having us shout random portions of Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” at one another.
This was a universe away from the precious ponderings of Wordsworth and a game changer
for me creatively. Many scenarios I would’ve previously thought unpoetical became
grist for the mill--my janitorial work-study job, memories of Dad slaughtering chickens,
a weedy patch in a slum--because truth is beautiful, no matter where you find it.
That, in turn, helped me think more broadly about what warrants description in
fiction, and what evokes our deepest feelings.
(I love Laurel's thought that "truth is beautiful, no matter where you find it.")
Taking courses in poetry also pushed me hard to develop my vocabulary,
to delve deep into the world of words. A poet must look not only at a word’s definition,
but also its connotations and connections. A poet must hear the tones and feel the
textures of words. Studying
poetry has made me especially aware of the power of sound devices: alliteration
(repeated initial sounds), assonance (repeated vowel sounds within a word), and
consonance (repeated consonant sounds with a word).
I believe these devices can make anyone’s writing more
musical. The thinking behind sound devices is often onomatopoetic; the sound
and meaning are linked. If you want to convey a sense of something sliding, for
example, you’d choose hissing, sibilant words containing “s”, “sh” and “sw.”
For example, “In her rush, she slipped sidelong, smearing grease along one sleeve.”
National
Poetry Month may have come and gone, but for writers building their skills,
every day should have a little poetry in it.
(I completely agree, Laurel!)
===
Laurel Garver is a
magazine editor, poet, and writer of faith-based fiction. She enjoys quirky
independent films, British TV, and geeking out about Harry Potter and Dr. Who.
She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.
About
Muddy-Fingered Midnights
This
thirty-poem collection is an eclectic mix of light and dark, playful and
spiritual, lyric and narrative free verse. In an intricate dance of sound play,
it explores how our perceptions shape our interactions with the world. Here
child heroes emerge on playgrounds and in chicken coops, teens grapple with
grief and taste first love, adults waver between isolation and engaged
connection. It is a book about creative life, our capacity to wound and heal,
and the unlikely places we find love, beauty, and grace.
1. I climbed the hill (see Wednesday).
2. The National Day of Prayer.
3. The Premier showing of my daughters' performing arts class film, "The Lady of the Earrings." - We had a red carpet evening!
4. Laurel's Guest Post today! Thank you Laurel!
5. Time for writing.
6. An awesome critique partner.
7. Ironing . . . this would take an entire post to explain all of why I'm thankful for this, but in short, I get some imagination time in while ironing.
Thank you VikLit for this time to celebrate and give thanks for the small things.
The scripture verse that I'm praying over today is: 1 Thessalonians 15: "Rejoice always" - two words, big meaning.
28 comments:
Now I'm curious about the ironing thing.
I know many writers who create works that flow like poetry. I'm not much of a poet, but I'm sure learning a little would probably help my writing.
I wrote poems/song lyrics when I was younger, but it's been years.
Thank you again for helping me with the A to Z list.
Alex - You're just going to have be curious . . .although I'll probably write a post about it soon since it's on my mind now.
Diane - Song lyrics and poetry go together in wonderful harmony.
and helping with the A to Z was fun!
In my younger days (BK) before kids, I used to read a poem a day. I try to keep up writing and reading it now, but life gets in the way. I think how she described poetry is wonderful. And truth is beautiful- I absolutely love that!
Rejoice Always! Something I need to be praying on and thinking about today too. Thanks for that reminder Tyrean.
I think we can learn a lot from poetry. Congrats on all you are celebrating this week, particularly the ironing! I always feel better when I reach the bottom of the pile.
I wrote poetry at different times in my life. The thing I didn't realize them what the fact that words had to be very strong.
I can always tell when writers have a poetic background; the writing sings. Even if I never get good at it, I love trying my hand at it (privately, of course)because it forces me to think about the cadence and sound of words--- blending rhythms to create beauty in language.
Poetry really does teach us a great deal. I used to enjoy writing it in college and honestly I'm not sure why I stopped :(
I'm not good with poetry, but I can't be perfect. :)
Show with red carpet? That must have been special! I love all of your list. Mostly the prize winning closing line. Have a wonderful weekend, Tyrean.
Alex: What we read retrains our brains. Try reading a little poetry and you'll be surprised what it can do for your creatively.
Diane: It can be a lot of fun to rekindle an old love. Just sayin'...
Jaybird: The brevity of poetry makes it far easier to squeeze into a busy life than other kinds of reading. If all else fails, keeping a few collections for bathroom reads will get you back in the habit. Thanks for coming by!
Suzanne: Indeed we can. I am working on a series of posts "stolen from poets" that shows how to use poetic techniques in prose.
Quietspirit: every poet has to start somewhere. And if you look at children's poetry, you'll find it can be powerful with simple words.
Julie: well said. The longer you keep at it, the more your confidence should grow. Hope you'll someday start submitting pieces to journals. It's a huge morale boost to get an acceptance.
In the past I hardly ever read poetry, but that's something else I've learned to appreciate more because of meeting so many great poets in the blogosphere. Enjoyed Laurel's post and I just love the title Muddy Fingered Midnights. The title alone makes me want to read the collection.
Have a great weekend, Tyrean!
S.K.: I've had poem-less periods too. It was usually through reading that my interest was rekindled.
Al: You don't have to be a poet yourself to read and enjoy poetry and glean ideas for your prose.
Julie: Thanks so much. Glad to hear the title caught your ear. :-)
Great guest post!
I kind of like ironing. It's nice to watch something wrinkly go to perfectly smooth. Though it's infuriating to watch clothes wrinkle up again as soon as someone puts them on. :P
You're right, Laurel, I should do more with poetry. Writing it has never really been my thing, unless it's haiku or somewhat Seussian in nature (I go more for rhythm and rhyme than imagery). But it could definitely lend more of a needed lyrical quality to my writing. Thanks for the advice!
Congrats to Laurel!
Glad you had a good week, Tyrean. Ironing will never make my list. lol Can I send you mine?
I love me some poetic prose. For some, the story isn't "the all" of it, but the skeleton upon which beauty is built. Combine a brilliant storyteller and a brilliant writer and you've got me hooked.
Ironing is an unusual celebration! But imagination time is good ;)
I totally get the ironing thing! I love those mindless tasks, like driving somewhere, when you can kind of space off and think about different ideas, WIP scenes, etc.
Actual time for writing is also always appreciated :)
jaybird - You're welcome! I hope you get to read a poem a day again soon - maybe some Shel Silverstein?
Suzanne - There's a bottom of the ironing pile? I don't think I've seen it, or at least not for more than a day.
quietspirit - I think the act of writing poetry is one of strength, no matter what the words are
Julie - I'm never sure if I've gotten that singing quality, but I still managed to get some of my poems published . . . so you never know how good your work is until you send it out there.
Al - the red carpet show was great! Thanks Al!
Julie - it is a wonderful title!
Golden - glad you liked Laurel's post!
Nate - Seussian poems and haiku are still awesome!
M Pax - ok, well, I must confess that although there are good moments about ironing, I never finish the pile, ever, so I can't take yours too. :)
Jeff - poetic prose is beautiful! I keep trying to go for that, but I haven't gotten there yet. Someday, I hope.
Viklit - yes, imagination time is good!
JA - yes, actual time for writing is really good!
Reading poetry can definitely improve our prose. I wish I could follow in Bradbury's footsteps!
Laurel - Thank you for making this guest post so wonderful, and thank you for your comments and discussion!
Milo - Wouldn't we all?
I love poetry for the same reasons as Laurel. There's more to it than just making words rhyme.
Every now and then, I find myself wanting to go back to writing poems. Used to do it often before I started writing novels. Now novels take up too much space in my mind.
:-)
Nate: other genres have lots to teach fiction writers. If you want great dialogue, for example, study plays. And nothing wrong with haiku and Seussian style kidlit. A little variety in the writing routine can grow you creatively.
Jeff: It really is a treat to find work that is both gripping and artistically written. Thanks for stopping by.
Milo: Yes, Bradbury sure could write a gripping story in beautiful language.
Tyrean: You're welcome. Nice to meet so many engaged blog readers!
Misha: I often flee to poetry when I'm stuck with a piece of fiction. It creatively recharges me.
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