Poetry, the critic, and the poet.
Last semester I took my first poetry class. This wouldn't be the first time I'd ever encountered poetry within the many, many, many English courses I had the utmost pleasure of taking -- but that was the first course I had taken that was specifically geared toward poetry. I wasn't confident, to say the least. Poetry always seemed so daunting compared to prose. Poetry was constantly weaved with metaphors and imagery that resulted in the meaning being buried somewhere beneath. It was in this class did I realize that I wasn't alone, in fact a lot of people felt wary of poetry for similar reasons. However, with enough practice explicating and studying of poetic device I was finally ready to write poetry. And you know what, it actually felt great! Did it feel awkward and clumsy, of course, but it was the first step into rediscovering my silent love for poetry. Performing poetry? The thought never crossed my mind that I would ever do it until the poetry slam, even then I was hoping by some divine intervention I wouldn't have to, but after everything was said and done it wasn't so bad.
I know that for some writing poetry comes easily but for me I don't think I could have understood before I even starting writing if not for poetry analysis essays. Through poetry analysis I was able to learn just how complex poetry is by identifying poetic devices. There is a long, long list of poetic devices that include alliteration, figurative language like metaphor and allusion, etc. Not to mention the many types of poems like ghazals, sonnets (Shakespearean and Petrarchan), and so much more. Before college I had no idea there were so many types of poems. I'm still learning which I believe is the most exciting part. Through poetry analysis I've learned the intricate parts of poetry and how poets use several poetic devices in their unique style. Because of this I am able approach poetry more confidently than I have before.
I know that for some writing poetry comes easily but for me I don't think I could have understood before I even starting writing if not for poetry analysis essays. Through poetry analysis I was able to learn just how complex poetry is by identifying poetic devices. There is a long, long list of poetic devices that include alliteration, figurative language like metaphor and allusion, etc. Not to mention the many types of poems like ghazals, sonnets (Shakespearean and Petrarchan), and so much more. Before college I had no idea there were so many types of poems. I'm still learning which I believe is the most exciting part. Through poetry analysis I've learned the intricate parts of poetry and how poets use several poetic devices in their unique style. Because of this I am able approach poetry more confidently than I have before.
Hi Kyrah! I completely agree with your perspective on this assignment. This writing process felt effortless and unintimidating, especially because I did not feel judged. Beginning with writing about a poem significantly helped me write my own since it made me consider the literary elements I could use to communicate my feelings. I felt guided through the process without feeling overwhelmed. I also appreciated having a prompt because too many options can make me feel anxious. Although the prompt was broad, it still helped me narrow my ideas and let them flourish. As for the slam poetry night, I enjoyed every bit of it. I loved how our professor set the mood by sharing diverse poets and their poems. Everyone was open and willing to share, which made the lesson effective and meaningful. In short, I believe this lesson was scaffolded nicely and helped students feel confident in their writing process.
ReplyDelete- Melissa Catalan
Hello Kyrah,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I really loved the picture you chose to add alongside with your post. It honestly made me laugh. I think it's funny because in my own post I wrote that I found it difficult to write about poetry since there are so many interpretations to it. You also made a good point in mentioning that there are many different poetic devices, some of which I too am still learning to understand. I liked how you said that writing the essay actually helped aid your own poem because it was able to give you a different perspective. I’d like to note that I think you did a great job at performing your own work during the poetry slam. To me it seemed like you had already done it before. In my case I wasn’t necessarily nervous about the poetry slam. I just have trouble reading my own writing out loud because it seems so vulnerable.
Hi Kyrah, I really enjoyed reading your response. I think you did a great job in encapsulating your opinions on poetry and even followed up with personal evidence. I like how you brought up the fact that a lot of people are weary of poetry. I personally have always really disliked poetry, especially when we are told that it is “up to interpretation” but then within the same breath we are told that there are wrong interpretations. I think that's why it has been very infuriating with me explaining poetry and having to argue for a certain point. I agree with you on how beneficial making these interpretations are coming from a critical point of view, whether that is analytical or not. Being the writer is much more helpful in controlling the narrative. I hope you continue to explore this topic as I think you have so many amazing perspectives.
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