What is Poetry?
Dear Readers,
This is my introductory post on Substack and the first of what will be weekly posts. My Substack posts will address poetry and various topics that I believe are related to poetry.
People have all kinds of ideas and definitions of what poetry is. In our USA culture, they often have a negative ring – elitist, esoteric, difficult, impractical, highfalutin, stodgy, and so on. But, really, What is Poetry?
Poet Edward Hirsch says poetry “is necessary speech.” I’ve also heard it defined as “heartfelt speech.” Poet Emily Dickinson says poetry is infinite possibility, which is how I experience poetry.
I dwell in Possibility
I dwell in Possibility --
A fairer house than Prose --
More numerous of Windows --
Superior -- for Doors --
Of Chambers as the Cedars --
Impregnable of eye --
And for an everlasting Roof --
The Gambrels of the Sky --
Of Visitors -- the fairest –
For Occupation – This --
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise --
What draws me to “I Dwell in Possibility,” besides its compact lines with high energy, are its expansiveness, and boundless belief in the alchemy between poetic language and the imagination.
Polish poet and Nobel Prize in Literature winner Wisława Szymborska professes not to know what poetry is in the following witty poem.
Some People Like Poetry
Some people—
that means not everyone.
Not even most of them, only a few.
Not counting school, where you have to,
and poets themselves,
you might end up with something like two per thousand.
Like—
but then, you can like chicken noodle soup,
or compliments, or the color blue,
your old scarf,
your own way,
petting the dog.
Poetry—
but what is poetry anyway?
More than one rickety answer
has tumbled since that question first was raised.
But I just keep on not knowing, and I cling to that
like a redemptive handrail.
What draws me to “Some People Like Poetry” are its dry wit and edgy truth about poetry’s relative minor place in the average person’s life. And yet, I like how she suggests that poetry sometimes breaks through the mundane and possibly redeems some people.
I am one of those people. As a person with low material wants, but high spiritual needs, I value the spiritual lift and beauty of truth that poetry brings. I am a better husband, father, and human by reading poetry. Poetry offers redemption and is, indeed, a redemptive handrail.
What is poetry to you? What does it offer you?
Please let me know what you think it is and what it brings you.
David
