I’m a huge fan of art in all its forms, although I try to keep my little obsession under control on the blog. Okay, I do like to post these great paintings online. But other than that, I’m not usually going off into spacey artist territory. But I love all of it—drama, visual, musical, written. To me, it’s a celebration of the human spirit—art sets us apart from the rest of the creatures.
One thing I keep running into lately (and I don’t think it’s because I’m looking for it) is poetry. Yes, poetry. I’ve been noticing it lately in unusual places—snippets in commercials, on Twitter, on Facebook, on Spongebob Squarepants. I’ve read it in the newspaper, even. The NewsHour on PBS now has a recurring segment on poetry and features poets reading their work.
Hmm!
I love poetry, but I wouldn’t have said there were many non-writers who share that view.
Poetry—could it be making a comeback?
I love the fact that I’m reading poetry on social media. That tells me that people are saying, “This is relevant to the 21st century. These aren’t archaic sonnets or iambic pentameter verses. This is modern and relevant to today.”
One of my favorite modern poets is Billy Collins. He has a website, from which you can listen to him read some of his poems. He’s made the change to the modern day—he’s networking on a computer, instead of being cooped up in a writer’s garret like the poets of yore. His poetry is relevant and he’s accessible. And…he seems to be making money. From poetry!
I figure, if poetry can survive (despite the fact that not many of us are out there buying chapbooks), then the rest of us have more than a shot at it. Heck, we’re a shoo-in for longevity, despite market shake-ups.
We hear dire predictions. I think, though, if we work on staying relevant by embracing social media, ebooks, networking, and the rest of the changes coming down the pike, we’ll do a lot toward ensuring our survival.
Think about it—haven’t books been making a splash in the media lately? People have been talking about books. There are big name authors releasing big releases, there are price wars at big stores—books are in the news. They’re relevant.
Maybe poets, considering the challenges poetry faces, have to work harder and more consciously for relevancy. Poetry could have ended up being something our kids read about in English class—at the same point they’re reading about obscure literary forms like kennings. Instead, the art form seems poised and ready for the 21st century. Are we?
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And now, since I really can’t help myself, I’ll put a couple of links to some poems I’ve enjoyed lately. :) And a snippet from Billy Collin’s poem, Forgetfulness:
The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of,as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.
Summons—Robert Francis
On Turning Ten—Billy Collins
Elizabeth – Thanks for that taste of Billy Collins’ poetry :). I actually like poetry, too, and I think it’s great that there’s still poetry out there, and people find it relevant.
You raise a really important point here: embracing the new things that are here now and those that are yet to come. The way I see it, writers are tellers of stories. We have a long history, really. People have always told stories, whether those stories were told by wandering griots, at a village gathering, an itinerant minstrel, or a court playwright. Today, we use social networking, blogs, E-books and other new media to tell our stories, but the fundamental thing we do – share our stories with others – hasn’t changed at all. If we remember what we really do, we’ll embrace new ways of telling our stories, and we’ll have new stories to tell – and eager audiences for them.
I think poetry is a very attractive form of writing, and certainly it is easier to read than a novel in our time short world. My only objection is that people seem to think you can slap you a few lines on a page in a matter of seconds with no thought at all and then call it a poem. Maybe it is, but it probably isn’t one that is going to stand the test of time.
Whenever I cross the path of a poet, I say, “Ah, a true writer!” And I’m pleased when I discover a piece of my own prose takes a poetic jaunt. I renew my vow to read more poetry. Thanks for the post, Elizabeth.
I agree that we need to embrace the new media and remain open to other new things that are most likely just around the corner. And I also agree with Margot – we are story tellers, and we’ll always continue to tell our stories. The stories don’t change, it’s only the way we may deliver them.
I also think it’s important to not get caught up in market shake ups, dire predictions of what may or may not happen to books, readers, bookstores, publishers, and to just keep doing what we do best: write and tell our stories. We need to believe that what we have to offer to the world is relevant, and that there will always be people who will want to read what we write. If we don’t believe in ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to do so?
I’ve never been huge into poetry. Must come from having to memorize and recite poetry in 7th grade – Paul Revere’s Ride & Evangeline stick with me to this day–but members of my first crit group (if you missed my blog yesterday, you missed meeting one very special member) were poets. I learned to appreciate it, but I never felt I had a lot to add in critiques.
They did introduce me to Billy Collins, and I even went so far as to buy a couple of his books, which is saying a lot.
As for hubby — if it doesn’t begin with “There once was a girl from Nantucket” it can’t be poetry.
There has been an awful lot of talk about books in the news lately, hasn’t there? Interesting.
Unfortunately, I think I went to the same “Nantucket School of Poetry” that Terry’s husband did (no offense, Terry’s husband!).
I’ve only tried writing poetry a few times. It’s just not my thing. Growing up, I loved some poetry, but much of it remained obscure and unintelligible to me, despite loving the imagery and metaphors. Perhaps I need to pay more attention now, as an adult, because imagery and metaphor are the things that elude me most as a writer.
karen
I think poetry is such an important personal way of expressing ourselves. And maybe with the increased ability to experss ourselves in writing via blogging, and other internet media, people are able to open up and share that inner expression? Not sure, but I’ve been seeing a lot of poetry too!
Elizabeth,
In a sea of distressing news, this post has brought me some much needed hope. Poetry has always been a love of mine, though I’ve never considered myself as a poet. I dabble in verse here and there. It’s so good to hear that it’s making a come back.
Billy Collins is one of my husband’s favorites. He’s a poet himself (but he will tell you otherwise :)and a song writer.
Thank you for this refreshing bit of happy news!
Jen
Margot–Well put! The method may change, but the storytelling hasn’t. The format of sharing the story doesn’t really matter.
Cassandra–I completely agree. It happens with books, too, of course..but books are longer and the process weeds many people out. That’s why I usually stick with established poets, although I’m happy to read up and comings, too.
It is exciting to see so much poetry! I’m curious as to what the outcome will be too!
I used to read more poetry when I was in college – Margaret Atwood is one of my fave poets. I teach poetry in school – and always focus on free verse. I’ll have to check out Billy Collins!
The very same thing has been happening with me. Just a few days ago I was sent a book of poetry by a friend. I’ve found myself reaching for different volumes in my own library. I’ve had a few poems published and lately a line here and a line there have been invading my mind, almost as if to say, WRITE ME!
The message of this post though is wonderful…so encouraging and a great reminder of just how vital and important what we do everyday with our blogs and networking is.
Thanks Elizabeth. I got a lot out of your observations…
I cannot write poetry. Cannot. I admire anyone who can. I agree with Margot, storytelling has been around since the beginning. The way it’s told may evolve, but people want stories. I think it’s instinctive and our tie back to all those who gathered around fires inside caves and listened.
Elspeth
Glen–It sounds like a good vow. Think I’ll vow to read more poetry, too.
Ingrid–Very good point. It all boils down to the story…how the story is transmitted to our readers is irrelevant.
Terry–Ugh. Reciting poetry is one of my most UNfavorite memories from school. I think poetry is personal–to the poet, definitely, and also to the reader. I’m glad you’re checking out Collins’ work. And I totally understand your husband’s position. My husband shares his position on poetry. :)
Crystal–Oh good! Glad I’m not the only one. I’m wondering if there’s some organized poetry pushing phenomenon going on! Seems like a lot of it around lately.
Alan–I make my husband suffer by emailing him poetry at work. He put up with it nicely for a little while, but then….
I like to read poetry, although I’m not very good at writing it. I should spend a little time practicing some of the basics. I do like to write haiku.
Stephen Tremp
Poetry flourishes most when it is relevant to the needs of the hearts of humanity. And I do think poetry is making a comeback in these times. It is such a spiritual form of writing and we live in spiritually dark times. Thanks for those links – good post.
Marvin D Wilson
I do think it’s funny, all these predictions about the demise of text in all its manifold creative forms–poetry, novels, short stories, newspapers–yet it remains more relevant than ever.
There will always be poets. Poetry is about spoken language, the music of it, the rhythm of it, the most basic stories told and retold.
I think it’s no accident that the most affecting pieces of writing in the first New Yorker issue after 9/11 were poems. How else to capture the incomprehensible?
But it’s also true,= that poetry is on the upswing. It has been since the 1980s, as more Creative Writing MFA programs started opening and it became easier to find publishing venues and with advent of poetry slams.
It’s even easier now with social-networking–and, really, what better form for Twitter?
I think it’s great. It’s writing for writing’s sake, and for sharing with others the mysterious stirrings of the heart.
Thanks for this post. It made my day!
I like the Forgetfulness poem. So true.
I’m coming across more poetry, too, as I visit various blogs. I wouldn’t even attempt to write a poem. I did in my college years, but that was back in the 1700’s. (Or thereabouts)
Helen
Straight From Hel
Poetry is like music – it’ll stick with you longer!
Well, yes…and no. As if I needed to make it more clear, I’m a pretty shallow guy, so, poetry that I can understand, that perhaps tells a story, that “takes me somewhere,” yeah, I like that. If it’s too obtuse or existential, naw, too confusing for me to try to figure out that the poet is equating a pencil to a leaden, overcast day.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
I love cadence and therefore love an approachable poem, but have trouble with poets who did/do the equivalent of what Falkner does to a story–the highly literary style–not so much (love the snippet you posted).
You know what really struck me though? A while ago I saw a clip. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nktBsI0PYPs
It’s Def Jam Poetry with such an incredible cadence and story–Poetry has managed not only to survive in regular form but to update itself to something that youth today think is cool–go to events to participate in.
I wonder what the equivalent will be for the novel. I have faith the traditional form will survive, but is there a hip new edgy thing that can also rise out to give appreciation to younger people? Is it necessary? I think for Poetry it was… maybe for the novel it was Harry Potter and the work has been done…
I love poetry and the snippet was quite interesting.
I try to incorporate poetry whenever teaching any literary work. For example, before reading Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, we read Langston Hughes’ short poem “A Dream Deferred” (at the beginning of the book). I had the students dissect it’s meaning analytically and make a connection to themselves and the world.
Once we finished Hansberry’s play, I went back to the Hughes’ poem and had the students relate it to the play itself. It was a wonderful unit and they needed the skill for the state exam.
In response to Tart’s comment, I love Poetry Jams. My high school holds one each year in April (Poetry Month).
I love poetry passionately. I’m crazy for Michael Ondatje and Lorna Crozier and Rumi and Thomas Wyatt and on and on. My first writing was poetry and I always go back there. I used to post the occasional poem on my blog. I’m always stunned when writers balk at poetry. In my writers’ group there is almost an uprising if I suggest we try our hand at a poem. Poetry can change the world. Don’t doubt it!
Stephen–Haiku is tricky, isn’t it? Has to be just right.
Karen–I think the nice thing about poetry is that we can all ascribe our own meaning to it. Writing it is something else…I don’t think I’m seasoned enough to do it.
Marvin–It really is spiritual. And so very personal.
Jody–That’s an interesting point. I didn’t think of it, but it sure makes sense!
Jen–A *husband* who likes Billy Collins! He’s a man after my own heart.
Helen–Glad you enjoyed it, too. I feel that way about every day.
Kristen–It really is exciting, isn’t it?
Jemi–I love Atwood too!
Elspeth–I’m not a natural poet, either. I love to read it, but don’t tinker around with writing it like I used to.
Diane–My dad has actually taught music lyrics in his English classes before. :)
Martha–I’m so glad! Your comment made mine!
I’ve noticed a lot of buzz about Creative Writing MFAs and there’s a blog I follow about several young MFA grads trying to make it today.
You’re right about 9-11–I did notice an upsurge in poetry then. Amazing and disturbing poems.
Galen–No William Carlos Williams for you! Well, I’m with you on that one. Don’t we both like Edna St. Vincent Millay?
Hart–Thanks for the link! Def Jam is an awesome idea to get younger people interested in poetry.
Well, I’ve seen graphic novels of all kinds of books now, for the YA crowd. They’re beautiful, too. Anything to rope them into reading, I think!
Chary–My son will be reading “Raisin in the Sun” in just a few weeks for his Language Arts class…I appreciate your suggestion re Hughes’ poem. I’ll make sure to show it to him before he reads the play. Your poetry jams sound great!
Jan–A fellow poetry fan!
I used to write it, but now I have the feeling it was doggerel.:)