Do you consider yourself to be a true Poet?

1. 78

   CloudExplorerposted 11 years ago

   Do you consider yourself to be a true Poet?
   
   If so please explain what certifies you as such, you can draw from your writers experience here on Hubpages, or from your true life on the ground of writing for the shear love of poetry. (No spammy answers though with links or the likes.)
   
   Note: The purpose of such a question is to inspire folks to answer it in the form of a hub in the poetry category and using the answer section here to do so. I'm looking for authentic truest reasons and genuine answers as to why folks may feel; that when they write a single poem, or multiples, why do they consider themselves to be a true poet or not.
   
   

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2. 51

   whonunuwhoposted 11 years ago

   I am a poet by choice, and display and relate to the environment that engulfs my passion. If only a poet in my own mind's eye, for myself, then so it is to be. whonu

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3. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   Although I do write poetry, I do not consider myself a true poet. To be a true poet one must have merit. I am not sure if my poetry deserves this merit. I do find poetry to be very therapeutic.

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4. 92

   billybucposted 11 years ago

   Pure poet? Not by a long shot. LOL Now, if you were to ask am I a poet of prose I might admit to that.

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      CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      LOL too funny Bill, bro you are indeed a poet in my Ebook of writers worldwide, anyone who writes powerful words in various differing context is a poet to me. Nice answer bro! thanks for sharing your humor too

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5. 60

   ReneeDC1979posted 11 years ago

   I am a True Poet because I write what I feel and discuss my reality through writing - often I use smilies and metaphors to compare, but I do my best to reflect on an event or experience that is relevant to what is currently happening in the world.  Poetry will always be criticized by some, understood by others, and questioned by many.  It is up to the poet to decide what their last line will be.

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      CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I feel what you mean Renee, yeah as long as one believed themselves to be true as a true poet,  then so be it right! Cool answer.

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      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      thanks CloudExplorer

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6. 71

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   Not at all. Poetry is the main form of writing that I will never understand. You need to have a feel for poetry, a way to use the words to paint a picture. But without being descriptive? I have no idea how to be a poet.

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      CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for being honest, I think as long as a person chooses to let go while writing, and doesn't allow writing rules and regs to stop their self expressiveness they truly are a poet. I do understand how you feel though and respect such a feeling.

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7. 71

   wayne barrettposted 11 years ago

   Very interesting question, Mike.
   From a technical stand point, I'm sure that there are those who would say that I am not a true poet, because I have never had any formal training in the craft. Personally, I believe that I am a true poet. And as for what certifies me to be a true poet is that I was born a poet. I am not patting myself on the back, but my aptitude for art in the forms of painting, music, and writing, are all gifts that I was born with. My wife is a piano teacher, but I drive her insane because I play by ear and I am very good at it. I look at my poetry in the same aspect; I write by ear. I understand and respect that an individual can be taught and trained in the different mediums of art, but I also believe that there are individuals who have an inherent ability to perform these functions.
   I have played in concert halls, and hung artwork in galleries and was never schooled in those areas. I do not hold any certificates of authentication as a poet, but I know that I am. I know it because...it's in my heart!
   "A man is known by his works"

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      Cantuhearmescreamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      From a technical stand point, I'd say that you are a true poet! :-)

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      CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Brilliant answer bro! This one might be a true poet winner of an answer too. LOL
      
      I'm really into the interaction thing so please don't mind my chattering here or babbling. I love your take on what makes you a true poet, I feel the same about myself.

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8. 74

   Cantuhearmescreamposted 11 years ago

   True poet? Yes, good poet? I guess that depends on who you're asking. I think poetry is subjective and like are, some people will like it and others won't. People also get something different out of the same poem. All I can say, I've always had a fondess for poetry. I never sat down and said, "I'm going to write a poem", but when something is in my head that I want to express, I put it on paper. I have notebooks filled with poems, ususally written to relieve stress, sometimes just written to appreciate something. Poetry is an outlet for me. Certified poet... nah, poet at heart? Yes!
   Awesome question!
   Cat

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      CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Cat for being honest, I feel as though I am a true poet, but one of a kind and unique because I no longer consider my poetry the norm by any sense of the term normality. Is poetry normal, no way Jose! it isn't LOL. So its quite the Oxymoron!

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      Cantuhearmescreamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      "No way Jose" hahaha :-) Yes, Oxymoron... that's perfect. I don't really know that there is a way to gauge poetry... it is what it is and here on HubPages, for example, there couldn't be more diversity, but I appreciate them in their own way! You too

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9. 80

   Diana Leeposted 11 years ago

   I believe a true poet writes from the heart with great emotions and with well chosen words to add as much meaning as possible in the least amount of space. Yes, I consider myself a true poet. I have written poems all my life.  Some have been published and some have been shared, but all have been wrote with feeling. I really don't think a true poet has to be well known as long as those who read their work appreciate it.

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      CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Its a funny thing you answered this very question in such a way. Imagine if no one ever read lets say Edgar Allan Poe's poetry, or any of the great ones. Does that make them not a true poet, you my friend are on the right train of thought here. Nice!

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10. 0

    ExoticHippieQueenposted 11 years ago

    While I haven't been writing from my heart lately, I miss that part of myself, and that more than anything tells me that I am a poet, regardless of whether I have any talent or not.  Personally, I feel so very inadequate when I read from my collection of poetry books, a series called The Best American Poetry.  It is most certainly the best compilation of poets I have ever enjoyed, year after published year.  The poetry in there challenges me as a writer to explore different styles and always amazes me with the level of talent that I am allowed to enjoy within the pages of these books.  I rhyme without trying all the time in a mindless way, and I squash it down because I really enjoy the flow of free verse. The rhyming is a curse when you don't want to do it, yet it comes so easily.  Every day, I observe the emotions that I am feeling, as if outside myself, and I search for the most effective words to attach to them,  I might overhear a phrase or discover a new idea that I could use in a poem.  It's a never-ending, ongoing process, being a poet.  I may take breaks from laying words on a written page, but in my head, I am writing constantly.

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       CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I like your answer ExoticHippieQueen, you definitely expressed all that makes you feel as though you are a true poet, and made me a true believer. Wow! so much to ponder on, and many thoughts it takes to conjure up some of my poetry as well. I like!

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11. 85

    Vellurposted 11 years ago

    No way!! I am not  true poet!! I write what comes to my mind! My poems are simple, straight from the heart. I receive a  lot of encouragement from wonderful Hubbers out here.
    
    Great Hubbers always leaving comments, writing in to say that my poem was great. All of them are very kind and this encouraged me to carry on!!
    
    There are many wonderful Hubbers out here. There are way too many to mention. Each one of them are very special to me.

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12. 0

    Gypsy Rose Leeposted 11 years ago

    In a way I guess I'm a born poet because my father who was a poet and writer gave me the love of poetry, In fact I still  have a book of children's' poetry which my dad gave me. I have written poetry in Latvian too but I prefer to use English. Somehow inspiration comes in English now. I had to write my very first poem in first grade for Valentine's and my dad helped me with the rhyming and it is a verse which came from putting our heads together and something I will never and could never forget -
    Be, mine
    Be mine
    Says Valentine
    But I answer to him
    I like better Jim
    
    Doesn't get better than that and who could forget? Now poetry is in my heart and soul.

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       CloudExplorerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Rasma for choosing to answer this very question, yes indeed you are a true poet, I can second the motion Lovely poem you wrote with your Fathers help. So sweet and so tender as well. Nice! oh and awesome answer by the way

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13. 74

    pearlmacbposted 11 years ago

    I humbly consider myself a pure poet I`ve written poetry since I was a young girl, way before I knew it was called Poetry. I guess it is an outlet for me, a way to express my discontent & joy. Also a way to paint pictures with words, I`m fascinated by modernist image poems & enjoy reading this style.

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14. 0

    Sueswanposted 11 years ago

    Hi Mike,
    
    I don't consider myself a poet but a person who writes poetry.  I am not on big on words and believe in getting to the point that's why I like writing haiku.   Years ago I wrote a poem. Actually a song.  The word angel popped into my head and I started to write. I wrote a few other songs at the time but then that was it .    Years later I found out about hubpages through my brother.  I was commenting on his hub when I  got a notice to start writing.  I said to myself, I can't write.  I just wanted to comment on my brother's hub.  It was my sister who reminded me of the Angel song, I wrote so many years before.  She said, If you did it then, you can do it now.  So I thought I give it  a try.  I have been publishing poems on hubpages for 2 years. I believe the true poet is God and that he is the one that gives me the inspiration.

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15. 86

    RJ Schwartzposted 9 years ago

    I do.  My words are my thoughts.  Deep inside my mind is a thread that connects very moment with every other moment I have lived.  I travel along the line,  gathering letters and phases in a weathered basket that I have held onto far too long.  I stop at my favorite resting place, the one where the waters of eternity flow down from granite formations that tower over the forest below.  I hear the whispers and laughter of the woodland creatures as they draw closer to my perch, hoping to hear the melodies of my magic. With a sharpened tongue of silver, I weave the jumbled contents of the basket into a tapestry of relevant warmth and comfort, spreading it out to share with anyone who might take notice of it.  Should I publish, perhaps, but no matter, the words shall continue to come.

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