Poetry: It Can Be Profound and/or Personal
Hi guys! So, I’ll be discussing the matters of poetry in two
senses: writing poetry and writing about poetry. Both literary works have differences and similarities. I’ll be discussing both from my personal
experience, as I’ve written about poetry and written my own poetry. One theme which are in both is the word “profound”
because it can generate within both.
Meaning, when you analyze a piece of poetry, let’s say Alfred, Lord
Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar,” you can find it very profound. Tennyson’s
themes are generated with the use of death and certain words/lines within his poem
are very profound. They’re profound
because anyone analyzing his poems need to ponder the meaning behind his
message. As far as writing poetry, it’s more
profound because it’s being written by you.
So, why is poetry you write more profound than reading and writing about someone else’s? The reason is because you understand every
meaning of what you write down. If we use
Tennyson’s poem, we only have theories of what he might have meant. So, if he were still alive, scholars could
simply figure what he meant by the poem just by asking him.
So, what’s a major difference in writing poetry and writing
about poetry? The topic revolves around
it being personal for anyone writing poetry.
Yes, you can always share your written poem, but it still has a personal
connection within you. For example, here’s
a poem I wrote in the first person:
“Black is the New Gay”
I am John, “The Gay Moralist.”
I married the first boy I kissed, and I live with him,
I am happy that everyone is happy for me!
Because I am happily married to Mark.
I love wearing black every day,
Like I wore a black sweater today.
I know Mark loved my black shirt.
I hope it doesn’t mean I am elegant or formal.
Does it make me feel that way?
I don’t feel elegant or formal,
I feel free! And I am gay!
Notice, I’m sharing it and it may seem profound. However, it’s personal to me because I wrote it. For example, you might not know what I meant when I said, “I know Mark loved my black shirt.” (Notice, Tennyson is wearing black too!) It’s profound, you can analysis it but it’s personal to me. Yes, other famous poet’s poetry can be personal to its readers but within the poem only lies the author’s personal experience as to what it means to them. The similarity of profoundness and difference of personality with writing about poetry, along with writing poetry can help aid in students engaging in a form of therapy. Meaning, for us and you future teachers, it can help students break out of their shell. It can also help students become comfortable with one another, as they are sharing their personal, heartfelt experiences with one another. I hope this post gives everyone an opened mind because it’s what’s required for teaching. Students should be able to express their academic liberties.
Good evening Robert,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post regarding poetry. Analyzing poetry is both insightful and overwhelming, but a profound poem being analyzed is worth everything, because being able to analyze beyond the context provided is crucial and eye opening. Like you said, pondering toward profound poetry and its meaning is one way readers can relate and gain knowledge about what is being written about. Next, I admire and understand how profound poetry from within can be in a sense more meaningful to us perhaps more mysterious to readers because we know exactly what we are writing about and the message we are exposing. I believe this thought of yours is beautiful, and students should indeed be able to express themselves as what poetry itself partially is if not is. You are a wonderful poet and I would love to see more of your work! We all must keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable to ever express themselves, but I am all for it and support growth and mindset opportunities along with addressing the classroom filled with leaders that our room is a safe space and respect, encouragement, and differences are beautiful and we should practice on welcoming all backgrounds and walks of life. Thank you!
- Elin Sarkisyan
Hey Robert,
ReplyDeleteWe both touched on the subject of poetry being personal to the person that contructed it. Although someone may try to dissect it, and even write a whole essay on it, that doesn't make it possible to grab the true meaning. The true meaning of poetry is hidden to everyone but the person that is putting their emotions on the page. That is why I think that writing about poetry cannot be as helpful as writing poetry.
Although I can see the benefits of looking at other's poetry to inspire writing styles and ways to encourage students to write poetry, I don't think assigning too many dissertations about poetry will be beneficial in the long run. Most teachers focus too much on writing about poetry, when the focus should be on writing poetry. By writing poetry, a student is allowed to see the power that poetry has in expression emotions and feelings of the authors.