 Poetry: June 04, 2008 Issue [#2429] |
  Poetry
This week: Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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I am honored to once again be your guest host for this week's Poetry Newsletter and continue the journey poetic with each of you.
A little learning is a dangerous thing
Alexander Pope |
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Poetry is a verbal snapshot of an 'otherworld,' - conveying an image of a time, a place, an event, real or created by the Muse Poetic. Reading aloud, tasting the words, continues the creative conversation, and makes the 'otherworld' real and dynamic for both the poet and the reader/speaker in an immediate way that straight prose very rarely does.
Reading aloud, poetry is meant to be spoken, a conversation between the poet and listener/reader, who each imparts his/her perception upon the images the words convey. In this way, the reader/speaker leaves his/her physical surroundings for a moment and enters the 'otherworld' of the poet. If desiring a more in-depth journey, consider reading and writing an EPIC POEM.
To continue with Pope's epic, yes, read past the bumper sticker to see the 'why' of it! The answer ~ his voice resonates yet today - Embrace some more of his 'otherworld.'
A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.
Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts,
In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts,...
Reading aloud, one feels the rhythm, the Muse Creative inviting the listener to open the mind to the passion of learning, taking the nascent creative seed and cultivating the soil to yield fertile knowledge. He draws us in to his epic with use of the HEROIC COUPLET.
The heroic couplet is a couplet (two lines) which are written mainly in an iambic pentameter (ten syllables, with a short/hard stress = iAMB iAMB iAMB ...), with variations to speed up or slow down the rhythm. (Each couplet is akin to a semicolon in a sentence, a step taken, but the journey not quite complete, but can stand on its own as an image, and moves the eye and ear forward to take the next step.
Reading the above, one feels the rhythm driven by both the rhyming and choice of words; words that are carry impact, are clear, and invite the reader to join the discourse, using his/her own memory, recall, vision, to 'see' what he is saying and join in the conversation.
EPIC POEMS are meant to be read aloud. They actually have a long oral tradition, being spoken or even performed. And the conversation has evolved over time to regale listeners/readers - from the Odyssey, the Aeneid, to Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, to Charles Osgood's epics which use the form to relate the adventures of ordinary folk who do extraordinary things, and Alice Notley's The Descent of Alette. Not all epic poems use the heroic couplet, but they each have some things in common.
The epic poem has a rich oral tradition, tales of heroism, true and imagined, told or performed in verse, making the story more memorable to each listener and potential minstrel. Each 'minstrel' then added his/her own perception and understanding as he/she carried on the dialogue with the next listener(s), and so on, and so forth, through today. Yes, we are the minstrels of today.
An epic poem by nature appears larger than life, not mundane or ordinary, even if it relates but common acts by supposedly ordinary folk. The poet regales the reader with heroic acts or an adventure. As an adventure, there are obstacles to overcome, real or imagined, along the journey, each of which has an impact on the 'story' being created in verse. The reader then can enter the epic and partake of the adventure in its full depth, embracing the 'otherworld' created by the poet.
The epic poem has rhythm, either in rhyme or by use of assonance or alliteration (like-sounding vowels or consonants respectively), or in some cases the length and rhythm of individual stanzas, which form the 'steps' of the adventure. Again, this draws the reader in to the rhythm of the 'otherworld' as he/she embarks on the adventure with the poet, to its satisfying/believable conclusion (whether real or conceived).
The epic poem is useful for political, social discourse, as well as fantastical worlds and heroic deeds real and imagined, and even comedic adventures (a day in the life, perhaps).
So, maybe you have an epic adventure to relate in verse ~ crating an 'otherworld' for your readers/listeners. Why not explore this creative and versatile form - a lyrical adventure of its own - and weave your world with words to delight and challenge your reader.
Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Enter the epic 'otherworlds' - adventures in verse factual, fantastical, comedic, by several of our members - see how versatile the epic is when embraced by the Muse Poetic
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I thank you for entry to your virtual homes to continue the dialogue poetic. I'd like to share here some comments from our members from my last visit I hope you take a moment or two to visit with each of them as well.
Submitted By: A thinker never sleeps 
I agree. Reading poetry out loud is essential. Another good exercise is to use a free instrumental beat, like in hip-hop so that you can think about how it sounds and flows. A lot of rap artists have perfected the art of pararhyme, so analysing lyrics can be a great resource also.
Great insight! ~ I can see the epic morphing into the performed rhythm of rap or hip hop ~ dynamic focus! Keep Writing!
Submitted By: COUNTRYMOM-JUST REMEMBER ME
I really enjoyed reading your Newsletter, have to come back to it to read some of the poems listed..
Thank you for including mine! Keep up the good work with an informative newsletter!
Countrymom
Thank you for your constant encouragement and Inspiration ~ in verse and deed.
Submitted By: MDuci
I love your informative Newsletters Kate, always something the poet can use or say. Congratulations.
Thank you so much for your encouragement ~ and for providing a place of joy and respite in our Community.
Submitted By: TheDons
I loved the newsletter this week. I've just recently began reading and studying the basics of poetry, as poetry is what I am inclined to write. This was a great newsletter! Hope to see you back on here.
I think writing poetry is an ongoing learning experience, and I'm grateful to be able to share some of my journey here. Keep Writing!
Submitted By: monty31802
A fine newsletter Kate. Thanks for the exposure.
Monty
Thank you for creating a place to share our dreams and visions in verse.
Submitted By: White
Interesting and informative. I learn from every newsletter. Thank you for taking the time to put this out there.
White
Thank you for writing, and for joining me on my poetic journey.
Until we next meet,
Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading |
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