When it comes to either writing about poetry or writing poetry, I must admit that I feel intimidated. After all, when it comes to writing about poetry, it involves taking a look at another person’s work. Many times it is often tempting to look at a poem and look for some form of authorial intent. After all, it is very tempting to assume that a poet might be influenced by something that took place in their own life. Yet many times this isn’t the case. Sometimes poets, like authors, like to create situations and places that have absolutely no relation to their own life. It is simply a product of their own imagination and creativity. While there are some poems that are directly influenced by a poet’s life, it is best not to approach a poem with this assumption. I think I was guilty of this for a very long time, but now I feel it is better to pay attention to the words themselves. Even though I admit that my interpretations of poems are off many times, at least I gain a better understanding of the language. Yet if there is something more daunting that analyzing a poem, it must be writing one!
Since I’ve never really been a fan of poetry, I’ve honestly never attempted to write it. I always felt that poets were either creative individuals or tricky ones who speak in cryptic ways. It was kind of hard to imagine that a poet could be anyone. Yet after hearing some of the poetry written by my classmates, I realize a poet could be where I least suspect. So even though at this point in my life I’ve gotten used to looking at other people’s poetry, writing my own was almost unfathomable. After all, what could I possibly write about that would be interesting? Eventually, with a few examples, I found myself able to quickly come up with a few poems. So, even though my poems dealt with topics such a bus rides and cockatoos, it was nice to see that a poem doesn’t necessarily have to be about sophisticated things. Poems can be about anything as long as the poet has a willingness to say something.
I think that this experience has taught me that when it comes to writing about poetry, language is important. After all, if I were teaching my students poetry, I would rather have them focus on the words themselves. I wouldn’t want them to think that they have to know every single detail of a poet’s life in order to understand the poem. Now if I know that the poem does relate to a historical event, then perhaps I would take a slightly different approach. As for actually writing poetry, I am now aware that it can feel intimidating. I am also sure that there are some students who might feel this way as well. If I did have my students write poetry, I would encourage them to try and write about things that actually interest them. Hopefully that would help to dispel any fears or discomfort they may have
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Hey Cindy!
ReplyDeleteI used to have the same problem when I read any type of fiction or poetry. It was very difficult for me to separate the author with the text because I've always just expected to put faces on things. Even though I know better now, I still read the author's biographies just because I'm psychotic like that and have to know everything. I find it amazing that many authors can write with such experience of things that never happened to them. I know its all imagination and the creative faculty but I've realized that for me anyways, writing is a very personal thing. I cant imagine writing about something I couldnt care less about, but at the same time, I've always admired writings that have empathized, explored, and at least understood something--even if it's ANY old thing.
I also agree with you that language is important, very very important. Words have so much to say, so many images to convey, and it's our jobs as future teachers to pass down this wonder with words that we have. I really enjoyed reading your blog, and I'm looking forward to reading more of your stuff.
Hi Cindy!!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you feel reading, explicating and writing poetry is intimidating, because it definitly is! We are not born poets or explicators, there for it seems like we are looking at a different language.
Speaking of language, your last two paragraphs are very interesting. Many classes focus on using symbolism, metaphor, etc. but you see the need for language itself as a key factor to writing and teaching the process of writing fine poetry.
That is a really good idea and is a portal for all to know what an awesome teacher you are going to be.
Like the saying, "Give the man a fish, and he'll eat for a day... Teach him to fish, and he will never go hungry." I feel you will be giving your future students basic and fundamental tools to prepare them for a world of poetry writing and understanding (if they decide to continue on this wonderful path of English study).
See you in class :)
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteIt is tempting for me as well to look for the authorial intent rather than analyze the language. I write from my own experiences most of the time, so I automatically think that every poem must be directly related to the author/poet. I, too, pay more attention to the words now, rather than what might be in the poet’s biographical information. The language is what is important and not necessarily the biography. Poets do exist everywhere because I liked your poetry! I was also surprised by the poetic skills of our classmates. I would also encourage my students to write about something that interests them so that it might be an enjoyable experience, rather than daunting and scary.