Poetry

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Tue, 2012-06-19 01:14

Poetry

Perhaps there's not much to explain, but could somebody please describe how to decipher its meaning and reflective wonder to me? I find it (poetry) so fascinating — more so nowadays with the increasing amount of talent — but have trouble, often, when trying to see what others see in it. On this site, I've read poetry from countless ABCtales authors and found beauty and/or in depth emotion within them. However, it still confuses me most of the time. I would love help on this topic, because, at this point in time, I may never stop reading it.

Tue, 2012-06-19 01:24

lailoken

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Tue, 2012-06-19 02:30

Jessiibear

I've always thought that. I suppose you're right, however — in regards to this. Thanks. :)

Jess

Tue, 2012-06-19 07:46

Parson Thru

Maybe it's like love.

Parson Thru

Tue, 2012-06-19 08:06

Parson Thru

Once you start to pick at it...

Parson Thru

Tue, 2012-06-19 09:18

well-wisher

I would suggest The Poetry Dictionary (John Drury) http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Poetry_Dictionary.html?id=vERZ... But also York notes are very helpful in showing you how to deconstruct poems, I find. Also some good poetry Anthologies. 'The Norton Anthology of Poetry' and the 'Oxford Anthology of English Poetry' are very good. They really helped to introduce me to alot of new poets.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Tue, 2012-06-19 09:30

well-wisher

Also on Youtube there are some episodes of the excellent programme 'Arrows of Desire' where contemporary poets (such as Tom Paulin) analyse various famous poems. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv5_20DSpbk&feature=relmfu

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Tue, 2012-06-19 16:49

ItsSteveDave

Jessica, I think you need to let go of what a poem's intended meaning is and concentrate on what it means to you in order to get the most out of it. I definitly know where you're coming from though - you almost want to be in the writer's head at the moment they wrote each poem in order to capture all the subtle feelings which helped make it shine. Try reading some prefaces to romantic poetry anthologies - see the link below. It is the preface to Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads (along with some other stuff - I think it's an A Level English practice exam or something). It gives you a better idea of the social/historical context of his poems, and an insight into the insecure mind of the man himself (he would second guess his readers and try to premeditiate the issues they might take with his poetry, addressing it in the preface). You might also be interested in his poetry of course! http://www.stjohns-chs.org/english/Romantic/Rm-Ws.html

Tue, 2012-06-19 19:24

lailoken

"I think you need to let go of what a poem's intended meaning is and concentrate on what it means to you in order to get the most out of it." This makes perfect sense, particularly with abstract verse. You can never know exactly what is going on in the poet's mind, or what the verse means to them. It means whatever the reader's mind it interprets it to mean. Art has to be subjective and non-scientific - otherwise it loses it's soul - or something like that.

Tue, 2012-06-19 20:03

#10

Richard L. Prov...

JessicaA---You ask a very valid question. I suggest you simply take one small bite at a time, chew it carefully, swallow, then bask in the beauty of its words, savouring the scent of present moments. PS. A Dictionary and Thesaurus also helps. Richard LP

Richard L. Provencher

Tue, 2012-06-19 22:09

#11

Linda Wigzell Cress

Poetry is a celebration of language, the use of words to paint pictures and rythm to make music. Read it with your heart as well as your eyes and an open mind and you wont go far wrong. Linda

Linda

Wed, 2012-06-20 00:22

#12

Sooz006

I think when you're reading a poem and you don't understand it, ask. It's good to see that people are starting to do that. I think there's this worry of offending the poet, and of looking stupid, but I think it's a compliment when you ask because it shows that you are taking a genuine interest.

Wed, 2012-06-20 10:50

#13

alice sunderland

I think what Linda W Cress has said to you is excellent. I shall take this on board too. of course there will still be unfathomable and pretentious shite - but ..... open mind/ open heart / celebration of language etc (what she said) - brilliant!

Wed, 2012-06-20 14:41

#14

Jessiibear

Thank you all so much for your comments. Parson- What you've mentioned touched me, and instantly, I agreed. White Dwarf- Thank you, thank you, thank you for pointing that out. In the past, I tried to read poetry from famous poets and understand on my own what they really mean, in addition to different types of poetry — the structured kind. I always thought that poetry was, in some way, always structured some how, even if not rhyming. I'll be sure to take a look at that link. Thanks again. :) Stan- Thank you for that insight. Raymond Carver... never heard of him. Is he like Shakespeare, by any chance? At any rate, I'm definately not old enough for college, lol, but I'm probably going to be studying English once of age, and they teach poetry in those sorts of classes, I'm sure. Also, those poems you've posted got me thinking. I find poetry so fascinating... and I still need to teach my brain to comprehend them. I mean, without even looking into the topic, I sometimes feel as though I'm already able to reach into the heart of it and really see what it has to offer. well-wisher- Thanks for the links and proposals. :) Is it weird that I'm kind of stoked to look into those? :P ItsSteveDave- As a matter of fact, I do want to be in the reader's head at the moment they wrote each poem in order to capture all the subtle feelings which helped make it shine; I wish to see what everyone else sees. Thank you so much for the link. Richard- Thank you for your lovely comment. Usually, I would find myself reading the poem in one go, and then sitting there for a moment, thinking, Whaa...? or, I think I'm understanding this [it must mean this or that] and I'll then simply become half-satisfied with what I thought it meant (basically, I'll see it a certain way, but deep down I'll assume that what I've interpreted is utterly incorrect. :P I never actually thought of using a dictionary or thesaurus... That might help. :P Linda- Thank you, I'll remember that. :) Sooz- Rarely, I ask for clarification of a poem for the exact reasons you've assumed. I feel so dumb when I read something and don't get it like most everyone else. But you know what? You're right. I'll never really know if I don't ask. alice- Haha, you're right; she's right. Thank you. :D lailoken- Thanks, again, for your comment. "Art has to be subjective and non-scientific - otherwise it loses it's soul - or something like that." I like that, a lot. You've all helped me understand that poetry truly is unique. It seems that it's up to you, specifically, to realize what a poem means to you. So, let me get this straight... Poetry isn't at all what I thought it was: structured (even if it is...), it's what your heart makes it out to be (no matter how abstract or different).

Jess

Wed, 2012-06-20 18:41

#15

Parson Thru

William Wantling: 'Poetry'

Parson Thru

Wed, 2012-06-20 20:59

#16

ScoZen

Hello there dear JA. Try and take a look at any " The Big Issue " page " Street Lights " poetry by mostly homeless, ex- homeless plus other vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Regards.

ScoZen

Thu, 2012-06-21 15:34

#17

Cavalcader

new ScoZen Hello! I perfectly agree with you! Re; The big issue two of Blightersrock in this week, "Little Wonder" and "It Won't Hurt". I had a couple in too. Not a poet,great see the homeless, work and paintings and drawings. I went 7 years,learn't a lot. Then closed long time,joined great AbcTales. But had a terrific lot too learn, with the Editor T.Cook help understanding and all help all it is amazing achieved,mainly read other's work. Not so great at all,as poems and stories coming on. I was never going to comment when I first started,thought be rude! and ask meanings describe their meanings of poems etc; see one is now. Your words are bang on though. Poems like most individuals may feel inside,warmth,love,or someone dies. Old or young just gebun,someone having fun! An escapement to stretch the mind, more than it can. Or maybe just be there hold a hand. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! what ever circumstances it may be! Look at beauty of nature the flowers, mountains and the raging blue sea Bird's cawing for food A smile no-one thinks anything is wrong! A mother may be depressed The baby that cries when wet Lonely have maybe no one at all Just be thankful and prayers be answered too. take care cavalcaderl julie x

Mon, 2012-06-25 01:43

#18

HotRod3451000

I do not write poetry much, so it is hard for me to decipher, but it is fun to read.

HotRod3451000

Mon, 2012-06-25 23:06

#19

Jessiibear

I totally agree to that. :P

Jess

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