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Writer and instructor Debra Thornley brings you writing ideas, inspiration, tips and information
by Debra Thornley on Jun.11, 2009, under Something to Think About, poetry
A World Without Poetry?
Have you ever considered what life would be like without poetry? When an author and poet friend of mine asked a roomful of elementary students that question, they answered, “There wouldn’t be any imagination, feelings, memory, or music.” Think of it, no commercial jingles, no Beatles songs, no greeting cards.
What role has poetry had in your life? Think back to your earliest recollections of poetry. For some, it is the alphabet song that helped them learn the ABC’s or the story of the poor, persevering, Itsy Bitsy Spider that never makes it up the water spout. For others, it is the short jingle they learned from the commercial break between cartoon shows.
Throughout history, poetry has given voice to religious and political dissenters, unrequited lovers, and has painted word pictures of the beauty in nature. Poetry can reveal the darkness of the soul, and the height of all that is good in us. It is both individual and collective. It is the creative expression of the imagination, while simultaneously inspiring it.
But what is the origin of poetry? According to etymonline.com, the word poetry springs from the root word poein “to make or compose” (www.etymonline.com) . It was born out of humankind’s need and desire to compose and pass down stories and knowledge to the next generation, first through oral traditions and later in writing. We have learned much about history in the epic poems like Beowulf and the Odyssey, and cultural development through the poetic writings about love, creation and the unexplainable mysteries of the heavens and the afterlife.
A writing group participant said to me one time that for her, poetry is a retreat from the stress of everyday life, and nurtures her awareness of the self. Author and Poet John Fox said that “poems speak to us when nothing else will. Poetry helps us to feel our lives rather than be numb.” (Poetic Medicine,1997)
Poetry is not just dead words in a book. It is all around us in the beauty of nature, the relationships we make, and is woven within the fabric of our everyday lives. It is a way to express appreciation for the beauty of our world, give voice to what is important, and can foster feelings of connection within this web of life. What poems have you, or will you, pass on to your next generation?
Walk in beauty, write life with passion!
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June 12th, 2009 on 10:41 am
Deb,
Wonderful to see your writing going out to a larger audience through this wonderful blog…thanks for giving me the heads up.
June 12th, 2009 on 3:48 pm
I am stuck on BandAids cause BandAids stuck on me
I am stuck on BandAids cause BandAids stuck on me
Cause they really stick to your fingers
And they stick on bended Knees
I am stuck on BandAids cause BandAids stuck on me
June 13th, 2009 on 10:50 am
The more I write and play with words, the more I appreciate and value poetry. Not exactly a poet myself, but definitely a writer, I see poetry everywhere, just as you mentioned in your piece. Poetry is in songs and television jingles, in children’s nursery rhymes and mother’s day cards, in an expression of love and appreciation of nature. Poetry fills the heart and the soul, it touches and embraces, it helps us understand who we are. What would the world be like without poetry? I wouldn’t want to know!
June 13th, 2009 on 11:39 am
Wonderful article, Debra. I make poetry a part of every journal workshop I teach, using samples from John Fox’s work, as well as the book, Poemcrazy. We do alpha-poems and word bowl poetry and without fail, all of my students say…”Wow, I had no idea this could be so much fun”.
June 15th, 2009 on 10:29 am
From a fellow journal writer instructor, I love your blog.
June 23rd, 2009 on 3:54 pm
You could be charging a lot for this advice! All of it learned through trial and error, I presume?