Sydney Poetry

A social site for poets in Sydney.

what is poetry

Hi, everybody, this is me popping my poetry-discussion-topic (whatever you wish to call it) cherry. I haven'tt posted any poems yet but i have many all over the place and will get the courage up enough to throw one up and leave it naked for criticism.

But i have to ask, is poetry something spontaneous, wild and artistic, or something which can be written and re-written like a novel, or story, being constantly worked upon to be improved? And is it wrong for it to be personal? I notice so much with modern poetry that it's all more like story telling rather than scenic, or emotional.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MLH on March 14, 2011 at 12:03

Hi Jon

I have this notion that poetry is whatever you 'feel' it to be. I know that if I 'think' too much i start to

question the purpose and if I can really write at all. In my year 12 art class my teacher asked

us what is "art" . Everyone had their own opinion, and I said "Art is created to be

responded to by a particular audience". I guess the audience can be either external or internal.

But the best part I've found is to write for the pure sake of honestly expressing your perception/experience/values

Whether others read it or not, I write for the internal audience, me.

Write for your inner artist, for that's what i believe everyone to be.

I don't know if this is helpful to you, but that's my 2 cents.

Kind Regards,

Mia.

P.S. I edit and re-edit most of my poetry, as time goes by...it's more like 'maintenance'. ha,ha.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nicole on March 15, 2011 at 18:13

Hi Jon

Poetry is all of those things, depending on the poet, the moment, the inspiration, the words. Some people only write spontaneously, or when their 'muse' strikes. Others do 'work' on their poetry, editing and tweaking it. Some study it, analyse it, pull it apart. The content can be anything, political, personal, scenic, emotional, story telling, painting an image, etc. Everyone can have their own idea of what poetry is and isn't. But like any form of expression, I think a poet can always get better with practice, feedback and learning new skills.

When reading poetry, I enjoy all kinds - passionate, lyrical, observant, wry, intense, humorous, well-crafted, clever, etc. And even if I don't appreciate the content, I can appreciate skill. And vice versa, I can see the appeal or potential in someone's writing but still see where they can improve or make different choices.

In writing, my best poetry (based on the feedback of other writers as well as my own sense of it) tends to come out of intense personal experiences and relationships. Sometimes those poems seem to write themselves, often when I can't express myself effectively in another way. The rest of the time, I find my better poetry is a combination of inspiration and work. I let it come out in its raw form, jot down ideas, then refine it to help put across the message or tone or effect that I want it to have.

I also try to stretch my boundaries. I listen to and read other people's poetry and books about writing, try exercises and forms that are uncomfortable for me, try new mediums (like micropoetry on Twitter) and never stop learning.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by POETRY BY KDW on November 2, 2011 at 9:04

To Jon, MLH & Nicole.

I couldn't have said it better myself and that's exactly how I feel. I only seem to write when it comes to me. Usually when I have suppressed an emotional issue for a while and having a real hard time dealing with it. so I purge and let it out. It usually involves a broken heart, crush lost love etc. so rather than physically hurting or abusing that person I take it out on them through poetry. For eg. in the past when I have been broken hearted and really angry at a particular ex GF. rather than get angry with her I write a poem about my anguish, I write in the poem how hurt I am what she did to me etc. and as I;M writing my anger dissipates. but I let the words fall out and let the poem take its own course.. and it also seems to stop by it self. I never revisit it except for reading. I write this for me and I will occasionally share it. so in the end do what feels right for you. all the best in your writing.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MLH on November 11, 2011 at 11:34

Hi Jon,

Thanks, and I agree with you on that as well. Most of the time I tend to dwell on 'uncomfortable' emotions like frustration, irritation, hurt, sorrow etc. But through writingI feel I am harnessing their power and transmuting it to a more constructive force.

I also feel that it provides great insight into my mental processes and becomes a catalyst for healing. However, I don't necessarily believe that a heart can be broken unless you allow it to break (ie. giving your personal power to another to have that control over you). This being said I don't believe that we are bulletproof, but we are certainly the captains of our own ships, so to speak. And poetry allows an extra avenue for us to navigate the occasional (and temporary) rough seas of reality. I am sorry if this is somewhat abrasive, but that is not my intention. I just believe that we as individuals need to protect and honour our individuality. Getting a bit off topic now, so I will leave it at that.

In Light,

Mia :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Goldsmith on November 2, 2011 at 9:34

Hi Jon,

My old high school English teacher got me interested in poetry many, many years ago because of some of her creative expressions and views about literature. EG: on one occasion after the English teacher and her husband argued, she informed us that she wrote a note on the fridge that said:

"Gone to Malborough Country. So if you don't know where it is and if I can't describe it, you'll have to wait for my return."

On another occasion, we were discussing what poetry was in the classroom. The English teacher finally described it as this:

Poetry is all about the mind and not the eyes

So close your ears and eyes

and open your imaginary mind.

Asked her what that meant, as it didn’t make sense

She gave me a wink and in a rye smile she said

Open your imaginary mind and your poetic license

You will find buried deep inside that head.

You need to write to the masses who read

and not the elitist few, ‘cause you see my friend,

poetry is not all about the rhyming thread

it’s about the emotive pictures you spread.

It's also good to have others who enjoy reading and writing poetry to read your works and share their thoughts and opinions. I once asked a literary uni lecturer to crique my poetry (and this guy did not hold back!) His comments were:

"Your poetry is like a glass of OP scotch. It goes down rough, it initally burns your throat, but once you acquire the taste, you can't put the glass down until you've drunk all the scotch."

So, in conclusion, poetry doesn't have to fit into any specific box, but I do believe it should be free flowing. Good luck.