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I thought this month I would devote some time to the creative aspect of my site and past time- poetry. As stated in the welcome page poetry is one of the oldest art forms. It has gone through many changes evolving through the centuries. It is beautiful and hard to define.
Years past rhyme was a widely used style, today it is no longer in the mainstream.You may have heard the term 'meter' and 'rhythm'. These tools were used by the 'masters' of poetry. Milton, A. E. Houseman, Alfred Lord Tennyson and so on. It is good to note: this is just a tool that can be chosen by the poet; it is not a prerequisite for a good poem. I find at times rhythm and meter come naturally; I try not to think on it in my writing as it seems to make it mechanical or mathematical. The movie 'Dead Poets Society' has an excellent dramatic scene of the professor ( played by Robin Williams ) having his students tear out of their text books what he viewed as an overly stringent approach to a very heart felt form of art. That is a very telling scene, poetry cannot be forced, in its most beautiful form it comes naturally.
'Free Verse' a form that sounds as if it were born in the 1960's has been around ,if not in name, in style, since poetry's start. It is used most often by modern poets. It is not to say that it has no form at all, there is a line between prose and poetry. It is however not a bold line, although poetry usually will be self defined by its feel. Walt Whitman, one of the most prominent American poets had his own style, he also wrote prolific prose. So what's in a name?
The important aspect of reading and writing poetry is to enjoy it. Read it slowly, try to feel the intent of the author. Be in a quiet setting with your favorite beverage in pleasant surroundings.
I have been asked on the street or sidewalk to recite some verse, it just doesn't work that way. There is a time and a place even for poetry.
Thanks, J J
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