 Poetry: September 26, 2007 Issue [#1970] |
  Poetry
This week: Edited by: larryp
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The saddest part of clichés is they end up doing our thinking for us.
Stephen   "Invalid Item"
Any great truth can – and eventually will – be expressed as a cliché – a cliché is a sure and certain way to dilute an idea. For instance, my grandmother used to say, 'The black cat is always the last one off the fence.' I have no idea what she meant, but at one time, it was undoubtedly true.
Solomon Short ~~ noted author
In this issue, we will discuss the use of clichés in poetry.
larryp
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Webster's defines cliché as "a trite expression or idea." Trite, by the way, means "devoid of freshness or appeal due to overuse." A poem that is "devoid of freshness" cannot be a good thing. Yet clichés are rampant in poetry today, particularly among new or younger poets.
I have heard the argument that the use of clichés helps the poet by making a poem easily understood. By using common language and phrases, the poem speaks universally! In a way this is true, but consider the downside: by using a cliché, you are using words that have been in countless other poems. A cliché does not express you or your unique perspective. A cliché may give simple clarity, but at the sacrifice of originality.
http://members.tripod.com/~sundance_market/cliches.html
When a phrase becomes adopted, used and abused over time, no matter how clever, it loses all meaning. It works against the very thing that you are trying to communicate, and therefore detracts, rather than adds, to the whole of the poem itself.
http://poetry.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_not_write_a_bad_poem
About the cliché, Mary Oliver writes:
The cliché works in poems as it works in any kind of writing—badly. Do not use the cliché in a poem unless, perhaps, you are writing a poem about the cliché.
Mary Oliver, A Poetry Handbook
Frances Mayes writes:
When words lose their voltage through overuse, they become clichés… These once-strong expressions now pass – to use a cliché – in one ear and out the other… In certain poems perhaps a cliché can be revived, but most of these old warhorses deserve a long rest.
Frances Mayes, The Discovery of Poetry, A Field Guide to Reading and Writing Poems
Here are some examples of common poetry clichés given by Frances Mayes:
~~ mirror of my mind ~~ soaring spirit ~~ purple twilight ~~ drenched by light ~~ twinkling stars ~~ radiant glow ~~ bitter end ~~ eternal sleep ~~ on golden wings ~~ heavenly sphere ~~ shimmering water ~~ shadow of death ~~ endless horizons.
Do you see clichés in this list you may have used? I think I see one or two I have used too often.
Poetry, by definition, means ‘to create.’ Part of being creative is the concept of originality. In my poetry, I am trying to think of new ways to say old things. For instance, in one of my recent poems, I was writing about an elderly man in a garden. In referring to his hands, I almost wrote “calloused hands.” As I pondered this, I wondered how many places I had read this description of hands or heard it in the lyrics of songs. Rather than using something cliché, I wanted to describe his rough, hard-working hands in a different way. After searching through dictionaries and thesauruses (yes, I am avid user of both), I decided upon “honeycombed hands.” I am not sure how well the reader views this, but it worked for me, giving the concept of rough hands (physically), while at the same time tender hands (in the way they took care of the garden). I also like the alliteration of this description.
It takes time and patience to say old things in new ways, but it makes our poetry so much better, fresher, and most importantly ‘original.’
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get rid of clichés. The reason they are clichés to begin with is that they describe things so darn well! The only antidotes to clichés are thoughtfulness and originality—neither one easy to develop if it doesn’t come naturally. The only way to develop those traits is to practice. Look at things from all angles. Use all your senses. Look at the world around you for new comparisons. For a start, you might try reading through a thesaurus for synonyms of some of the words in the cliché.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cliches-Can-Kill-Your-Creative-Writing&id=340524
For a few common clichés to avoid in poetry, see:
http://members.tripod.com/~sundance_market/cliches.html
http://www.suspense.net/whitefish/cliche.htm
The featured Writing.com poems below illustrate new ways of saying old things – ridding poetry of clichés.
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raisin-painted lips ~~ instead of typical ‘ruby-red lips’:
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Notice the descriptive sound of the word plink in relation to some of the other ‘sound’ words used in the poem.
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frozen quiet ~~ as opposed to ‘still quiet’ or ‘tranquil quiet’
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Corrosive words which raged to full blister, ~~~ opposed to more common expressions such as ‘Harsh words which tear the heart apart.’
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shadowed whisper ~~~ original and fits well into the message of the poem
Like a thousand banshees
Venting their rage, ~~~ used to describe the sounds of a storm.
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Two good articles about clichés:
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Mavis Moog
Eliot 's item about the myths of poetry is excellent. Thank you for advertising it. I hope many would-be poets, and some who already think they are poets, will take time to read it.
Hi Mavis, I believe we should all constantly strive to improve our poetry. It is the willingness to learn and improve that makes us better. I am grateful for artists like Eliot who make their knowlegde available to us, so we can improve.
kansaspoet
earlybird
I love this newsletter so far!
Thank you, from all the Poetry Newsletter editors. We hope you find it both enjoyable and helpful.
kansaspoet
isiacs_mom
Thank you for this very informative Newsletter. I especially enjoyed the links to read the works and essay by Eliot.
I am learning to love children's poems. I will now write with the thought of how my poetry will sound.
Thank you, again, for including my poem "Twilight Destination."
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! I have found that just by being aware of something, I will consider it when writing poetry. This is the goal of the Writing.com newsletters, to make knowledge available that will improve our writing skills.
kansaspoet
monty31802
A great Newsletter Larry. I would like to say we all are different, doesn't make us love poetry less. Most of the time I have to read a poem slowly a couple of times but once in a while I come across one that I can read as fast as I can talk and get that woderful feeling that I have just read a masterpiece. BTW you can bet I will read it many times.
I agree Monty; we all must find what works best for each one. Through much practice, we find this. For those just beginning on this path, I think it is important to make all options known. I believe in the reading of poetry, we actually gain skills to help improve the writing of poetry. The more help we offer one another in reading poetry, the better our understanding of poetry will be.
kansaspoet
~~~ KANSASPOET CHALLENGE~~~
For those who may like a challenge, take one of the cliches given by Frances Mayes (in brown type) in the newsletter and write a poem, finding a new way to say an old thing. Send me an email with the link to your poem when you have completed it and I will link it in the October 24th edition of the Poetry Newsletter.
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