What is poetry?

Question

I would love some answers from all of you critics that dissect a poem without hesitation, as well as you poets who are hesitant to post anything here because of said critics.

This is better than I thought, much individualism! I only posted this because two of my favorite writers are swearing off of Answers for good because of undue criticism that is downright cruel and not warranted.

Answer 1

like your question, for me poetry is just words to express thought, some critics always assume it is personal thought though, I just make things up as I go along but sometimes it is personal, sometimes not, wether we are good at it or not, it should not be discouraged, maybe when we post one, they should post their own back so we can see if they have a right to comment.

Answer 2

It is easier to say what poetry is not than what it is, but I'll give it a shot anyway. Poetry is the use of language to convey thoughts, ideas, images, etc. in ways that prose cannot achieve. Writing good poetry means using each word choice, each line break, each mark of punctuation, with a purpose.

The most important thing to understand about poetry, to me, is that it is an expression of something - rather than being that thing itself. A poem is not a person's emotion/thought/heart/self, but rather a way for a person to express those or other things in words. When I critique a poem - and I hope/believe when most others do as well - it is a critique (not criticism, but critique) of the writing, with an eye on helping the writer improve. Once the poem is written, it is outside of the writer. Learning to treat the words as such is important; the poet is not revising his/her feelings, but rather revising the words to better express those feelings.

Telling someone that their poetry sucks is not helpful; telling the person that s/he personally has ANY attribute based on the poem is both unhelpful and foolish. If responses fall into either of those categories, they are meaningless and should be treated accordingly. Commenting on the writing itself, though, can be very helpful; I know a fair amount about poetry, but am myself a mere hack amateur writer. If someone tells me how I can improve, I embrace it. I may decide I disagree, but if someone takes the time to read, think about, and respond to the poem with tips or critiques, I take it as a compliment - whether or not that person actually liked my poem.

Long answer to what may have simply been venting, but I do hope you and others are willing to let loose your poetry in this forum and take opportunities to improve.

Answer 3

in ordinary language what is said is important, but how it is said does not matter. with ordinary language the contents matters, not the box.

in poetry both what is said and how it is said matter (often equally, though not always). both box and contents are edible.

....

y!a has many problems as a poetry forum:

#1: you cannot post a long poem (or even one of medium length)

#2: there is no way for a writer to answer a critic (let alone develop a meaningful dialogue with one)

#3: the censorbots kick out far too large a set of words (including ****, ***, *******, and *********) for a self-respecting poet to work in the local kiddilanguage.

#4: people are far too inarticulate (whether they are being nice or nasty).

#5: the place is flooded with unpoets (who find features #1 through #5 attractive).

so i am glad your friends are leaving: they will do themselves no favours by staying here.

but i hope they find other boards more suitable to actually nurturing and developing a talent. such boards certainly exist, and everybody deserves the best.

Answer 4

I find it irresistible. This is the last sentence from Sex Without Love through Sharon Olds which first confirmed me what poetry is able of (it is a little lengthy): they're like fine runners: they understand they're by myself with the avenue floor, the bloodless, the wind, the have compatibility in their sneakers, their over-all aerobic- vascular wellbeing—simply elements, just like the accomplice within the mattress, and now not the reality, that is the unmarried frame by myself within the universe in opposition to its possess high-quality time. Edit: and sure as Cheese Whisperer says I will not be following guidelines...it is near despite the fact that.

Answer 5

It's basically a song without music. It has the rhythm, the emotion, the meaning, the ability to tell stories, to evoke passion, to awaken emotions and to generate empathy and sympathy. Prose is for the mind. Poetry is for the heart. But good poetry can also go from the heart to the mind.

Answer 6

Poetry is the source of all the words that combine over to create a thought in a single verse,,, and with all those verses combined give rise to a feeling so deep to touch your inside, to delve into the pulp of your soul, to find something which u thought u never had,,,

Answer 7

Poetry is to the writer an expression of their feelings, it touches their soul and expands beyond. Poetry is a means to relay ones self so another may truly grasp the wonder that lies within.

Answer 8

To me it is a form of writing, short form. To express ideas and thoughts; in rhyme or not; in structured form or not. I like it all but not everything in all forms, just like my music. The best I have seen here tell story or paint a picture. A lot of what the critics like I don't and I don't mean here.

Answer 9

Poetry is an attempt to define the human condition in words. It is so hard to define how one feels at any given moment, but to write the symphony of our souls through poetry is the work of an artist. It is our condition, our imagination, emotion, essence made incarnate; it is a painting of words of one's very being.

Answer 10

poetry is the way i cummunicate stuff i cant say out loud...i have never been to any poetry classes so i do not follow certain types or formats or whatever you call that..its just a way for me to express things that i are hard to say..everything i write always has a connection to me..it has to be something i feel at the moment..so i just write it anyway i want it..