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art, beachanny, FormForAll, Gay Cannon, poems, poetic form, poetry prompt, Shakespeare, Writing
We’ve been writing poetry and linking it here at d’Verse for a year, and prior to that at OneStopPoetry. In commemoration of the upcoming first year anniversary of d’Verse Poets Pub, I thought we’d talk about Poetry. We could then write about how we define it, what it ought to do, why we love it (if we do), how it has changed, and what our own personal definition is of it.
It seems to me a good topic for a poem itself on this anniversary. Indeed nearly every poet has tried to define what poetry is to them, why it takes hold of them, why it’s their chosen writing style and within poetry why do our poems take the shape and form they do.
Most scholars agree that poetry is linked to our most primitive past, and came into existence in an expression of emotions usually accompanied by rhythms (percussion, drums, singing, chanting,) and music. Therefore it enjoys the station of one of man’s oldest and basic arts. When a tribe or a people experienced any great event, a war, a migration, a flood, it seemed natural to chronicle and preserve these episodes in dance and song. Rhyme a strong mnemonic device naturally gave way to lyrics and tied to melody meant that it was preserved by those methods becoming its history and traditions. The compositions were once thought to have originated as a communal activity, but now most anthropologists think that each reflected the talent of an individual just as they do now.
Poetry seems to have evolved over the millenia – somewhat differently in different places but having certain things in common. Its content seems to have been inspired by emotions influenced by beauty, experience, or attachment. Sometimes it is rich in sentiment and passion. It is equally imaginative.
To quote Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
“The poet’s eye, in a fine frenzy rolling
Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven
As imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.
Such tricks hath strong imagination.
That, if it would but apprehend some joy,
It comprehends some bringer of that joy.”
Within poetry lie certain elements of truth, thought, idea, and meaning. Poetry must have significance, it should contribute to the human knowledge of experience. This may have been what E. A. Robinson meant when he said that poetry tries to tell us “something that cannot be said”. Leigh Hunt said that poetry is a “passion for truth, beauty, and power”. To Wordsworth it meant “strong feeling,” to Ruskin it was “noble grounds for noble emotions.” Emily Dickinson’s test was that “real poetry left her whole body so cold no fire could ever warm her.” All these requisites indicate a need for honesty of emotion, for a depth of passion and for a feeling of power. Beauty clearly inspires poetry although there is no agreement on what form beauty may take. Shelley said “Poetry turns all things to loveliness, it exalts the beauty of that which is most beautiful and it adds beauty to that which is most deformed..it strips the veil of familiarity from the world, and lays bare the naked and sleeping beauty, which is the spirit of its forms.”
Next we come to form after content. In form poetry can often be more clear-cut. Sometimes, of course, it reads as prose as in polyphonic prose, or free verse where the distinction may at times be murky; nevertheless in most forms we can say that one or more of the following things exist. First, rhythm marked by a regularity that usually surpasses that in prose with some irregularities presented which as in music surprises and gives pleasure. The ear recognizes patterns and their variations by the regularity of accents. Secondly rhyme which affords an obvious difference by which one may distinguish poetry from prose. Next arrangement and order. The pattern of the verse with its combinations of rhythm and rhyme bring an aesthetic pleasure that is only randomly found in prose.
Some license is allowed the poet in using other devices which are not given to the writer of prose, although in modern poetry these are usually eschewed–such as inversion in sequence and syntax. Poetry usually being short is distinguished especially by compactness of thought and expression, an intense unity to be carefully arranged in climactic order. Vital to poetry is concreteness. It is specific in its images and subtle by way of its use of metaphors. Being specific gives life to poetry; however, if some think otherwise it is because they may not be attuned to that subtlety of expression, beauty of imagery, and particular music of the words. Lastly, within form we come to language. Milton said the language of poetry was “simple,sensuous and impassioned.” The poet needs to choose language which succeeds in making his images concrete. It should be rich in figures of speech, in symbolism, and in metaphor.
The final function of poetry would be effect. While prose may have ten thousand uses, poetry chiefly has only one and that is to please. It is an aesthetic art. It’s chief function is to give pleasure and while over the years it has been a vehicle for drama, for history, and for personal emotions, it can now be chiefly divided into three types: the epic, the dramatic and the lyric. Those are then broken down into the types of forms we have been discussing here for the last year and for some time before that at One Stop Poetry.
So this week the call is to write your own poem on poetry and link with one another, read and comment. This is a time of celebration and poetry is its voice! If you’d like to read other poems on the subject, there are many famous ones here:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20035
Hello dear friends and fellow poets. Thank you for coming to the pub today as we anticipate our week of celebrations for the first anniversary of dVersePoets Pub. Thanks to Brian, Claudia and our fine crew each post has been an exciting prompt in poetry and a great experience in reading and meeting other poets.
I am judging my figure skating competition this weekend – starting at about four this afternoon. I will have my small laptop with me and will check in as often as I can to read and comment. I will be stretched for time but ABSOLUTELY promise barring unforeseen problems that I will eventually read all your posts and am sincerely looking forward to it. I hope you have fun coming up with this poem. I did…using skating terms which worked very well as a metaphor for writing poetry! Thank you!!
very cool gay…have fun at the figure skating competition, i’m sure you’re an absolute fair judge… great idea writing poetry on poetry.. i went a bit into sewing metaphor cause i used to sew a lot when the kids were small…and it’s all about being creative..
Loved, loved loved your poem Claudia. We both picked our “threads” from our children’s lives and activities, and found creativity in both. Especially loved the textures in yours. If I’d started in on cotton pickin’ though — well my poem would have gone somewhere entirely different. I grew up in cotton country!
Fly!
Before I even try to write–I enjoyed your essay here so much! Happy Birthday to you and to all at dVerse pub! You have created a vital community.
It’s been a while since i’ve been by here, I’ve missed reading everyone here. It just happened to coincide today… I linked to an older poem that I wrote about writing poems, which usually happens at stoplights while I’m driving around….
Looking forward to reading everyone else this time…
Thank you Emily. I’ll be by to read as soon as I can!
good to see you emily…and think i have to try some of that stoplight writing as well…
The thing I love most about stoplight writing is how you have to hold onto a thought until you have a chance to write it down. It stretches out the process for me, and gives me time to be sure the words I am choosing are the words I want to choose.
ha true that…stoplights are where i am usually feverishly jotting mine down in the notebook…
Exactly! Every once in a while the lights are all working against me (or for, I guess if I was in a hurry), and I have to pull over somewhere…
done that too…or i was the crazy guy in the car reciting the same lines over and over again until i could get pulled over….lol….
Thanks for hosting this today, Gay–I’d actually just written something on this topic for another prompt, and only had to tweak it a little, which explains why I’m able to link up so soon–as you know I am not much good at off the cuff writing. Have a wonderful time at your figure skating competition–I love watching skaters–what a talent one needs for that–like ballet, only on skinny metal blades on a slippery surface. Got some chores I’m in the middle of, but I’ll be back to read later.
Looking forward to this one Gay! (as she sneaks in her comment from behind her desk) A perfect call to write for what promises to be a fantastic week ahead! It’s been an awesome year! Best of luck with the judging duties…we’ll see you soon!
nice…this was a lot of fun gay…writing about poetry itself is taboo in some circles…and what is done when you can think of nothing else…but i rather like the ones i have read thus far…hope you are doing well today gay
Been away from here far too long and nothing wrong with choosing poetry as a prompt…
welcome back….
So interesting to see what it means to others and sit down and think what it actually is that excites us. So many differen things to so many people. It sounds like a cop-out to say that it must ‘feel right’, but that is a basic trait.
Would a communal renga work on line?
Lovely topic for us this evening, and a fitting one in these end-of-year celebrations.
Thank your for the post as well: all those interpretations together.
Will we all pass ?
we have kicked around the idea of a renga…and have seen some try to pull it off as well…enjoyed your thoughts in yours on translation…
I’m usually terrible at prompts but had a bit of ESP on this one. I wrote this poem a few days ago for Shawna after not even attempting another of her list of words.
smiles…i feel you and def get your verse…
I still love it, sweet pea. 🙂
I’m back with a few poetic lines which were fun to write. And though “brevity” may be “the soul of wit,” I’ll have to return to this challenge as I don’t truly know my answer.
they should def check out the post prior as well to get the picture….both enjoyed today susan….
What better prompt than an prompt about that which we all love to write about 🙂
Have a great night all.
I like this definition: “real poetry left her whole body so cold no fire could ever warm her”
This is good too: “rhythm marked by a regularity that usually surpasses that in prose with some irregularities presented which as in music surprises and gives pleasure”
Yes: “inversion in sequence and syntax” … And yes: “Poetry usually being short is distinguished especially by compactness of thought and expression”
“It should be rich in figures of speech, in symbolism, and in metaphor.” … Can it not, instead, say something smart very clearly (or unclearly) without all the flower and honey? I’m just curious.
i think poetry is what it is…there are times the flower and honey are not needed surely…
Well I love flower and honey (particularly in conjunction). But some of my favorites make their words sweet and sticky in other ways. You know, being clever can take you a long way without the effects of tread.
I was talking to someone last night who said all art should use its “methods” to tell the truth and thought aesthetics was a secondary value. I thought “truth” was a sine qua non.
I am not much for honey – sticky saccharine anything, although we all have our own connotations of words and semantics being such as they are, I don’t know but what you might find my work “sticky”. Since 1885 or so, the consensus among poets is that it should be your voice, your language. I like what Shelley said. I don’t think we have to agree on what beauty is, but I think we might agree in general what gives us pleasure. (Just my two cents)
No, we certainly don’t have to agree on beauty (nor pleasure). And I’m sure we could all come up with hundreds of definitions for poetry. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation of a few of them. This is a very interesting topic, as everyone who enjoys poetry likely enjoys a specific kind. There are numerous subcategories within the poetry genre, I’m sure. It is a fascinating and subjective subject. I’m so glad you brought up the topic.
Gay, I found your poem. But the link on the Blenza list is incorrect.
it’s fixed now…
Thanks for the wonderful inspiration, Gay. I finally made it back, and I must add… I had fun with this.
oh i could tell you had fun laurie…
i absolutely loved your verse laurie!
Gay, I absolutely love this prompt, it makes me hungry and happy. Your description here is wonderful, especially with Milton, moving with passion.
Oops! Forgive the double post. Didn’t realize I linked to the wrong poem until people started commenting on it. The funny part is, though its not the one I meant to link to, it did fit theme. Gotta love serendipity.
its on theme, so we will leave it for those who have not seen it…smiles…
i liked it much…
ok…already getting late again over here…going to bed and see you in the AM…
Poetry can sometimes be a bittersweet dish. I love writing poetry, but sometimes I feel so utterly alone. My poem tonight–an older one–trys to convey that feeling.
i understand the feeling charles…the so utterly alone…i think poets can look at something and get a totally different vibe that others…a stronger emotion…glad we can gather around and be alone together you know…smiles.
Alone together… Reminds me of an old saying; “I only drink when I’m alone, or with somebody.”
something like that…smiles.
What a wonderful offering, Gay. It sparked inspiration immediately! Thank you…
booyah…good to see you…smiles…i went looking for you today…
Thanks, Brian..a nice welcome!
Loved the adventure, very inspiring, and I look forward to the diversity of responses.
Installed at the hotel now. Have a few minutes before I have to dress & go for cocktails & dinner. Omni very nice. Desk, coffeemaker. I think I could write lots of poetry here!! I’ll read a few poems as I can. Again many thanks to all of you..reading, commenting, and linking today!!
Thanks for the wonderful post and prompt!
I couldn’t resist a bit of playful irony with this one… 😉
Read a few…catch y’all later.
Ah, and all on Pablo Neruda’s birthday as well!
back from dinner break…man the pub is hopping tonight…
I have only just seen this post and am not sure I’ll be able to write something new tonight for the prompt; therefore, I’m going to leave a link to my blog: echoes from the silence.
The link will take you to my “about me” page, which has a poem “echoes from the silence” that explains a bit about why I write. I was surprised a bit more than 18 months ago when I wrote my first poem…and haven’t stopped, since. I have found an outlet to let my words escape…
I’ll try to be back! 🙂
hey no sweat….we are open all day tomorrow until midnite for this so you still have 27 hours to go…..will pop over though…smiles.
I wondered how long the prompt was open since I know I missed the last one — I saw on the linky page I had a few hours. So yes, I should be able to come up with something before I turn into a pumpkin. 😉
cool…all our prompts are open 33 hours…they go up at 3 pm EST on Tuesday (OLN), Thursday (FFA or MTB) and Saturday (Poetics) and close at midnite EST the following day…giving us a little time to reset the pub for the next one…smiles.
Thanks – that’s helpful to know as I navigate through this new (to me) pub. 🙂
Found enough time to eke out a shadorma… 😉 Gotta go for now, though. Ciao.
Groovy a little metapoetry- what a way to stretch the old grey matter- especially when I was unsure what I was going to come up with for today’s blog. Peace.
dude i love the way you talk…lol
really enjoyed the prompt with all its nuance of information, super interesting, thanks gay 😉
Hi Gay, sorry to join the party so late. A lovely prompt. I have taken a least resistance kind of path, as per usual, as I find that works the best with me – some idea comes to mind, and then just go with it, even if far from definitive! But a lot of fun, thanks. And your article wonderful. k.
good evening poets…swinging back through before bed…some great stuff out there tonight…
Gay–Thanks so much for getting me out of my rut–this was a wonderfully inspiring prompt, and I enjoyed reading others’ offerings before writing my own tonight. I usually try to avoid that, but this time It felt like each was a personal unveiling of the poet in a way.
think my comment disappeared–here goes again. . .thanks, Gay, for getting me out of a not-writing rut. A lovely prompt–enjoyed reading others’ offerings prior to writing mine tonight–felt like a sort of unveiling of each poet. . .
i agree on the unveiling… good stuff out on the trail…forgot time while reading and need to run now…happy day to all of you..
Nice challenge – not as easy as it seems!
I dug one out of the archives for this prompt simply because I tend to spend a lot of time reflecting on why I always return to poetry – even in the midst of a novel.
While reading your essay I began to remember the conclusion that I had drawn.
A hidden truth about the poet resides in the images he/she reveals. Who you are as defined by your passions, loves, hates, and anxieties are exposed with each poetic expression.
Like peeling the layers of a scallion. That self is most flavorful when tested by the fire – so you add a little sizzle and spice – toss it a few times and then display it on an elaborate plate. If you’ve done it well your dinner guest will eat slow, roll the taste in their mouths and allow the sensuality of the senses to savor each bite.
nice…i like your description…esp of the eating there in the end…or maybe its because i have not had breakfast…smiles…
good morning everyone! out on the trail…
I’ve only had breakfast if coffee counts! For the cause of poetry this morning, I’ve given up sleep, food, companionship. Now I know what poetry is – It’s an addiction!
haha…true that…smiles…
Happy Celebrations!!!
I love the topic of Ars Poetica. I find it fascinating how a topic can go in so many different ways, different interpretations.
I like a poem that touches me and/or creates… a new thought, feeling, understanding…
Interpreting poetry is something I love – figuring out the underlying currents, different meanings and endless possibilities… However, I am less concerned with exactly what the poet meant. If I write something – I want someone else, “another I” and “eye” to take my words and go with them…
Form is something I enjoy – creating a rhythm only to break it, for example.
… Ok… going out of town and will be back tomorrow night…
So, will be back to read when I can.
Smiles to all!
I have so enjoyed this prompt and the resulting poetry, Gay. Thank you so much 🙂
I am at rink early with coffee and ipad, but commenting is difficult. Will read now, and comment later. If it takes all week i will get to everyone. Such great poetry and I’m loving it all. Each one a revelation.
have a great time at the rink gay….and i agree..commenting on the ipad sucks…
Gay, I am not one to lavish praise,but this is possibly the best piece of prose I have read on the nature and understanding of writing poetry. In fact it is so good it is going to be a struggle writing a poem that even remotely matches your prose. Congratulations ,Chapeau , Bows ‘n all that jazz!
i am in richmond tonight performing—so i will be late catching up with the last couple linking…but will be around in a bit…
Well, I am late to the party as usual… but this has got to be my favourite prompt of all time! Thanks, Gay, for thinking of this – I’m going to enjoy the rounds tonight 🙂
I’m one of those who can’t resist an ‘Ars Poetica’, and in fact am planning to write an entire book of poetry about poetry.
But… that won’t be for a little while, so for now I’ve linked to “The Treachery of Dreams”, a poem which is not a poem, which is also an example of the pantoum form (hint, hint).
If you’ve heard of Rene Magritte, this work should make a little more sense. Or maybe not.
If you haven’t heard of Rene Magritte, here’s a quick note on his famous work “The Treachery of Images”
Sam, I am so grateful you guided us towards this painter Magritte. He seems imbued with Maigret and Herge in equal measure. Loved your take on it once I realized.
HERE is also a good link to his paintings.
Hint? Hint? are you going to be in charge tonite? Better start thinking now then
Wow, I’m a bit late to this party for sure! I was working on a parody piece that actually fits in quite well with this prompt so I went ahead and linked it up…
I’m squeaking in by the hair on my chin….but I’m here!
Unfortunately suffered an asthma attack today; stayed out of ER but feeling so puny. So sorry for so many reasons. Had to leave the rink; back at hotel nursing myself and hope I can meet my duties tomorrow. Keep those linked poems handy. I will read sunday night and monday or as long as it takes.
Yikes! Hope you are okay…
Got inspired to do a second post for this one.
Poetry a River http://wp.me/p1OZDf-5q
Benjamin
oh gay…sorry to hear this..hope you’re already feeling better…take it slowly..the poems won’t run away..
Wish I could come take care of you. Be well, my friend. Don’t worry about reading mine. It’s not stellar…I just wanted to be a part.
oh my gay…i am so sorry…i hope you are feeling better..
Great prompt. It.took me a while to think about this and come up with something. It became a series of poems, not finished yet, but the first one I published on my blog today. Since it’s too late for the Mr. Linky widget, I post the link here: https://apoemeachday.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/the-winding-tuscan-road-part-1/
Hello all:
My first attempt to provide a poem to dVerse poets & I miss the deadline. Well, as the last person did, I offer my link: http://wp.me/p28emf-1Z