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Jeanne Dininni
Shilpa KarhikWhat is Poetry?
March 11th 2007 17:49
"...Simonides defined poetry as 'speaking painting,' vividly illustrating one important aspect of the art. Poe called it 'the rhythmical creation of beauty,' aptly describing yet another of its facets. Coleridge dubbed it 'the communication of pleasure,' highlighting still another subtle difference in its manifestation. Carlyle called it 'musical Thought,' bringing to mind a slightly different picture of its attributes. Painting it with a somewhat broader brush, Shelley referred to it as 'the expression of the imagination,' pointing out a characteristic that all poetry undoubtedly shares, albeit a general one.
"More recently, Judson Jerome has called poetry 'order threatening to become chaos,' which is perhaps an appropriate description of poetry in some of its more modern experimental and avant garde forms--or possibly simply an expression of the potentially explosive energies inherent in each carefully measured and intricately crafted line.
"Wordsworth has said that 'poetry is, like love, a passion,' highlighting its emotional aspect, which is the golden cord that ties poetry of every type together. Perhaps he expressed it better still when he stated that 'all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings...(in) a man who (has) thought long and deeply...'--combining, as he does, the concepts of feeling and thought....
"....But the good news is that we needn't be able to fully define poetry to recognize it--or to enjoy it! We simply sense it when we are in the presence of poetry--at least good poetry. We feel its power, or its sweetness, its simplicity or its grandeur. And it is an encounter that affects us in ways we'll never be able to fully describe--much less understand..."
From "Why is Poetry So Difficult to Define?" by Jeanne Dininni
Poetic Quotes
"More recently, Judson Jerome has called poetry 'order threatening to become chaos,' which is perhaps an appropriate description of poetry in some of its more modern experimental and avant garde forms--or possibly simply an expression of the potentially explosive energies inherent in each carefully measured and intricately crafted line.
"Wordsworth has said that 'poetry is, like love, a passion,' highlighting its emotional aspect, which is the golden cord that ties poetry of every type together. Perhaps he expressed it better still when he stated that 'all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings...(in) a man who (has) thought long and deeply...'--combining, as he does, the concepts of feeling and thought....
"....But the good news is that we needn't be able to fully define poetry to recognize it--or to enjoy it! We simply sense it when we are in the presence of poetry--at least good poetry. We feel its power, or its sweetness, its simplicity or its grandeur. And it is an encounter that affects us in ways we'll never be able to fully describe--much less understand..."
From "Why is Poetry So Difficult to Define?" by Jeanne Dininni
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Poetic Quotes
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Comment by David
To me?
Poetry is:
David ...
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Jeanne
Comment by David
It's also:
translated or transformed into words ...
I like Wordsworth's definition ... for it is the duty of Wordsmith who has the luxury of time to devote to contemplation, to put down not just his/her thoughts on the page, but the thoughts of others who have neither the luxury of time, nor the ability to express their own thoughts on the page/screen in the manner they would like to ...
But, they have the ability to recognise them in print ... and that's what makes poetry (prose) touch people, and make them engage with the text ...
It poetry paid? I'd be a millionaire ... I should have learned to play a guitar and sing ...
David ...
Comment by Wendi
Great post!!
W
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks again for a very insightful comment--and so, so true! A line from a poem I wrote about "Books" comes to mind, since it is just as apt in regard to poetry--or indeed any form of written expression: "...images by which we view ourselves in others' art." It is the author's (or Literary Craftsman's) ability to manipulate the written word in such a way that the reader can personally relate to the ideas, ideals, emotions, or experiences written about that makes great literature!
Another wonderful definition of the poetic art, David!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Jeanne
Comment by David
I tend to align myself with Wendi's thoughts ... as in, I'm not against old fashioned poetry ... but I won't write rhyming doggerel ... only free verse ...
Just as I won't spend three pages describing the interior of a room in Dickensian style ...
It was great in his day ... as was the rhyming poetry in Wordsworth's day ... (and we owe them a debt of gratitude) ... But to stay stuck in those days? Nup ...
Free Verse all the way ... Rhyming poetry (doggerel) is far too predictable ... especially in English ...
It's like you're reading the line, and anticipating which word the next line will end with ... Boy, so hard to work out? Not.
To me? ... Go and live in the 18th C if you want to write rhyming doggerel, or get with the times and write Naruda style ...
Or become a Rapper?
David ...
Comment by Julie Vaux
Books Well Read
Strange Situations
The Purple Challenge
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks again for your poetic thoughts! I agree with you in one sense: Rhyming poetry--particularly metered rhyming poetry--must be very deftly handled and absolutely meticulously crafted to rise above the trite and trivial! But this is one of the highly fascinating literary challenges that can fire our creativity as poets! (I must, however, take exception to your calling all rhyming poetry doggerel, because this is simply not the case! While much--if not most--of the rhyming poetry out there may indeed fit this description, a wonderful body of well-written rhymed and metered poetry exists, as well.)
And while I, myself, have written free verse--and was, in fact, one of two winners of the January Poetry Contest at Creative-Poems.com for my free verse poem, "Pennies"; I also won one of the weekly poetry awards at the same site (also in January) for my rhymed and metered poem, "Childhood Voices." But "Childhood Voices" is one of the 'meticulously crafted' rhymed and metered poems of which I speak. (Incidentally, in addition to end-rhyme, it also contains internal rhyme.)
On the same site, I have another rhymed, metered poem, with a very unusual meter, which is meant to fit its tempestuous theme. It is, in fact, called "The Tempest" (a Shakespearean title, I know, but it really was the only title that was appropriate for it, which you'll understand should you ever read it.) Some people have a bit of difficulty with its meter, but I love to be different! When I write, I write what I want to write the way I want to write it--though carefully and intricately crafting every line and phrase! I have no interest in writing like everyone else! To me, this is one of the challenges of being a writer--being uniquely me!
But I've gone on long enough! I may never convert you, but I do feel that building bridges of understanding between people never hurts!
Here's to poets everywhere!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I took your advice and paid you a visit, and while I didn't leave a comment, I did leave you my vote--or five! Great job!
Cheers!
Jeanne
Comment by scholia
Recyt all - if you ever spot this book secondhand try to buy it
Saintsbury's Historical Manual of English Prosody 1930.
It covers with examples the development of Englsih prosody from Old Englsih onwards and explains all the various metric schema possible in english .
If you have access to an older university you may possibly find it there!
For those who prefer Haiku - one of the best boooks is the one by Daniel Buchanan - has the original characters, the kanji, kana, and romaji, and an good english transation with notes on the poem!
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for all the info on prosody and Haiku! The early prosody manual sounds fascinating! I'll have to see whether I can track down a copy somewhere!
Wonder if it's available to read online. Many older books are. I've seen copies of very old editions of Shakespeare's plays online. I'll have to check it out.
The Haiku book sounds interesting, too. I've written a few Haikus, though I wouldn't exactly say I'm an old hand at it!
Thanks again for the tips!
Jeanne