About my mother –
She’s been writing poetry for as long as I can remember. When my family moved to Traverse, she corresponded on a regular basis, penning her letters in rhyme. Oh, before I continue, my mother just tuned 80. Happy Birthday, Mom!
Back to poetry –
Personally, I never understood poetry. Never wanted too. Just don’t have the patience to read that deeply into the written word. Besides, I don’t have time for that much thinking. That’s actually a good thing. Sometimes, thinking and me don’t get along
A few years back, I visited Chicago and stayed at the Weston downtown. Every employee’s badge displayed their name and a fun, one word ‘identifier’ about that individual’s hobbies and/or life. The front desk clerk was Alana – poet. We struck up a conversation about writing. You could tell I was on vacation because I actually ‘struck up’ a discussion with a stranger. Normally, I avoid idle conversation. Sometimes, conversation and me don’t get along. Anyway, she asked me about writer’s block. I stated I never made time for the damn thing. “When you are writing a four hundred page novel at 5am and you just can’t think,” I answered. “I would jot down my intentions, paraphrasing what I wanted to happen at that point in the story line and … move on to the next scene.” For me that worked. For poet writing a three line haiku – it doesn’t. That poem only has 17 SYLLABLES. Writer’s block is a bit more intense with 17 syllables. The existence of one word CAN change the entire interpretation of a poem. Way too much pressure for me. Like I mentioned earlier – I’m not that deep.
Different Types of Poems –
- Sonnet – a short rhyming poem with 14 lines. The original sonnet form was invented in the 13/14th century by Dante and an Italian philosopher named Francisco Petrarch. The form remained largely unknown until it was found and developed by writers Shakespeare.
- Limerick – a five-line witty poem with a distinctive rhythm. The first, second and fifth lines, the longer lines, rhyme. The third and fourth shorter lines rhyme. (A-A-B-B-A).
- Haiku – Haiku’s are composed of 3 lines, each a phrase. The first line typically has 5 syllables, second line has 7 and the 3rd and last line repeats another 5. In addition there is a seasonal reference included.
- Free Verse – A Free Verse Poem does not follow any rules. Their creation is completely in the hands of the author. There is no right or wrong way to create a Free Verse poem.
And my favorite –
- the Emotion poem – no comment. (sarcasm intended)
There were a total of fifteen different types. See why I have no patience for poetry? Me. I would honor traditional poetry formats. This IS Dante and Shakespeare, okay? That’s some good, serious shit. Then, I would lump all that ‘New Age poetry attempts at self-expression‘ into Free Verse and call it a day. The emotion poem. .. . Let’s just say it would experience a deep sense of … loss.
parting thought –
Sometimes, slamming poetry and me DO get along.
Sometimes.
