Is verse a ‘pretty’ thing …

By Rhiannonw

Mon, 27 Jun 2011
  • 2505 reads
6 comments
 

Is verse a ‘pretty’ thing,
to fancy or despise,
or,
communication ‘at-a-glance’
that’s clear, succinct, concise?

If output of attractive form,
artistic, skilful, – play
on sound and image, rhythm, rhyme,
then what it has to say

is heard more easily,
may prompt to study more
the topic; but if airy, vague,
you still may like, adore

the ‘music’ of the sounds
the flow of phrases caught
in underplay of subtle rhyme,
and penetrating thought.

But many think that poetry
is sentimental, run
from what they fear will torture sense,
and never could be fun!

Certificate U
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Comments

Submitted by Highhat on
verse isn't only 'pretty'- can be anything and everything Nice poem Rhiannow

Submitted by Rhiannonw on
Thanks, Highhat! I used the word 'pretty' a bit provocatively, because that seems to be what many assume all verse is meant to be, and feel it wouldn't be their taste, maybe they feel they'll be forced to say they like it!?

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

I admit that I have read more poetry in the two years I have been on ABC than ever before in my life. And I doubt very much if I would read any of it, if the authors hadn't become my friends on the site. But I have often marvelled at the choice of words and the ability to communicate a great thought in a very few words.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I  must say, Jean, that I have always been very slow to understand a lot of poetry, and often realise how thick I have been when someone stops to explain it (I can remember that happening a lot when in school with a good teacher, though adifficult lady, for English studies). I want to be able to understand the intentions and content, but also I do like skill with words and sounds making a short verse readable and enjoyable. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

you've summed up my thoughts on poetry. I had no idea of verses and stanzas till I came to abc tales.

It's amazing when I look back just how much I've picked up here. For me poetry is like a journey into the unknown, discovering words I never knew existed, and like you said in this piece prompted me to study more topics.

Glad I found this piece.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jenny. You've gone way back to find this! I like the 'music' of sounds (eg all sorts of alliteration) in words, and rhythm, flow and rhyme, but I like them to be used quietly to help communicate a clear message or story, and I think here I was thinking of the fact that some dislike poetry because they assume it is just 'ding-dong' forced metre and sentimentality, or very vague and difficult to understand. Rhiannon