Do you understand poetry?

1. 73

   pagesvoiceposted 12 years ago

   Do you understand poetry?
   
   Am I the only one who has a difficult time understanding poetry? I try to get the hidden meanings of words and phrases, but alas, many times I am left scratching my head. While I do read and comment on poems, I also find many that are hard to get through. Is that the nature of the beast or is it just me? I must confess, I am not a poet and I marvel at those who have and express that talent.

   replyreport
2. 0

   msorenssonposted 12 years ago

   No..You are not supposed to understand..if you do then the writer did not touch you at all where it was supposed to..your heart..it is not in the realm of logic, it is in the heart...
   It is art where you weave patterns with words and convey a feeling..

   replyreport
   1. 73

      pagesvoiceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your explanation. For me, I can write a paragraph in a story and weave a pattern that you speak of above. However, for me to do the same thing in the form of a poem...well, needless to say, I am hopelessly lost.

      replyreport
3. 83

   Jewelsposted 12 years ago

   It's not just you pagesvoice.  I find poetry like wine and art, you either have a pallet for them or you don't.  As with the painted abstract, it can require trying to get inside someone's head in order to get a meaning.  Sometimes this requires standing on your head and scratching a lot.  For me, if I have to strain my brain too much then I won't enjoy it.  I have to be able to relate and lets face it there are some peoples brains I'd prefer to stay away from.
   
   I enjoy writing poetry because when it works it makes me feel good.  It comes from a space inside me that has a depth for me.  If other people like it that's great and I do love to share my creation and get some praise - who doesn't?  But of course it's a personal endeavor of creative expression and some people are crazy expressionists!

   replyreport
   1. 73

      pagesvoiceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I love the analogy you gave between fine art and wine. I appreciate art, yet when it comes to wine I am clueless about swirling and sniffing it, nor do I know what a full body wine is. However, I will still have a glass. LOL

      replyreport
4. 61

   destiny17posted 12 years ago

   Poetry comes from the heart of the person that is writing it.  If it touches you then you can relate to the poem you are reading, but still may never know the true meaning behind the words that were written by the poet.  As with my poem, “Hear the Leaves.”  It is about me finally being free from a bad relationship.

   replyreport
   1. 73

      pagesvoiceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "If it touches you then you can relate to the poem you are reading." I get that comment, yet somehow I usually feel as though I am too shallow or not well versed enough to understand the real meaning.

      replyreport
5. 95

   mary615posted 12 years ago

   I enjoy reading poetry that tells a story:  narrative.  The three lines of Haiku poems don't do a thing for me.  Yet others comment on how beautiful etc. it is.  I feel really dumb.  I'm sure it takes talent to write these, but I just don't understand them.  They go right over my head!

   replyreport
   1. 73

      pagesvoiceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      When you wrote, "they go right over my head," I started laughing because that is exactly how I feel. Don't get me wrong, many poems I feel the meaning, but many more I'm lost.

      replyreport
6. 72

   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   No. I honestly don't. I've always disliked poetry. Mainly because poetry is a story or point just written in short words that could mean many things. I hate that. I want someone to tell me straight and to the point what they are talking about. I want to read something descriptive with images, emotions and captivating characters that make me feel like they are a good friend I will always have. That whenever I'm upset I can read about them, feel like they are edging me on, and walk away from the book knowing that I am stronger because of their character.

   replyreport
7. 79

   Eric Calderwoodposted 12 years ago

   I don't understand a lot of the modern poetry.  I always liked the stricter rhyming forms.  I especially like story poetry, for example: The Iliad, The Odyssey, Paradise Lost, Shakespeare's plays, etc.  I also liked the works of John Donne, Robert Frost, and others like them.  But newer poetry, that doesn't follow patterns and doesn't give a clear message, doesn't make much sense to me.

   replyreport