A Rant on Poetry
O.k...I've been thinking. Lately, everyone has managed to have dump on my major, saying that English does not matter in the grand scheme of things. This is absolutely hilaroius as one has to learn how to read, interpret, analyse and see connection in things that too the common eye, would see unrelateable. But, I digress. So anyway, I was thinking about Poetry. What is poetry and does it have a function in society anymore?Well, before the advent of T.V and countless other modes of entertainment, poetry was in. In fact, literatue was right up there with movies and music as far as entertainment was concerned. And well...now we simply have too many options to choose from. So, no one will sit down and actually read a poem for enjoyment. A trashy romance novel, sure, but a poem? Nah!
I think the main reason people don't like poetry, is because people don't want to try to understand things anymore. People want things to be layed out for them-to have everything mean what it actually says. But if we all approached language like that, it would dull and boring. Isn' there a type of fun in reading something, shrugging and saying- "well, I don't know what the fuck that was about!" and then turning to a friend, who has an an idea and that idea gets you to look at the poem in a completely new manner?
I admit, I think some poets are not really good. but people have to realize that just like cinema and medicine and any other discipline, poetry had gone through phases. And yes, there are differnet types of poems. Not every poem is confessional, but many have a political agenda and some aim to be strictly humourous. In the begining poetry was thought to be soley for a certain class, and the commons sat and listened in awe. But today, everyone and their brothers sisters cousins newphew has at least stated that they too have written a poem.
And that brings me to another topic.
Some shit that you write, is just is not poetry.
Sounds mean, but it is not.
People forget that poetry is a meduim...it has certain rules and regulations.
Ex: Since you went away
it rains all day
we should be together
and stay that way
That, is NOT a poem. You want to know why? In poetry, we don't state the obvious. If we did, we wouldn't call it poetry, it would just be called a statement, or if simply a sentence. Now, the snippet above does have some features of poetry. Such as trying to communicate heartbreache by the use of the symbol of rain, which many associate with sadness.
O.k, fine.
But here is what gets me: people STILL say that this is a complete poem. It is not. This my friend, would work as lyrics to a top 10 hit on the radio. But this it is not poetry.
So what function does poetry have in society today?
Well, years from now, when one looks back at history, they will often read a poem of that time period. We also use poetry as a form of experssion. I don't think that people much value creativity these days. Is everyone in the corporate world? Does everyone want to sit at meetings to discuss the market at 9am on a Monday morning? Is this what everyone is doing?
Poetry serves as a social commentary. A way of understanding the world. A way of releasing ones creative urges. A way of communication, communicating a certain thought or belief, a device used for storytelling. A way to show appreciation for someone or something. Poetry does have a function in today's society, but I think that some people choose to ignore poetry because it is not easy. Much like I chose to ignore mathematical problems because I get it wrong-but that is the difference-in math, there always is a right answer.
In poetry, it is all up to you. A poem that could have a specific meaning for the author, could have a completely different meaning for you. And that is why poetry is relevant. It is the most personal aspect in literature.
For those interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry
posted by The Eternal Student @ 1:15 PM
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