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This week: What Does it Mean to "Think Like a Poet" Edited by: Crys-not really here  
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What Does it Mean to "Think Like a Poet"?
On the rare occasion that I refer to myself as a "former" poet, people look at me strangely. "What do you mean you're a former poet? Don't you write poetry anymore?" they ask. Well, quite frankly, I haven't written one poem since April, when I entered a contest here on WDC called Poetry in Motion. Those poems were dark, anti-love poems in form, totally unlike anything I had written before. They were very personal and helped me work through a breakup. These days, I rarely think like a poet, unless I have some sort of prompting to do so.
What does it mean to think like a poet? Poets are always looking at the world through a lens, seeing the beauty in everything around them. They stop and smell the proverbial roses and take time out of their day to ponder what they see. I haven't completely stopped seeing the beauty, but right now my busy life prevents me from taking as much time to myself as should. I'm starting to think like a student again, reading and writing endless pages of text for school. Most importantly, I'm starting to think like an educator. I'm studying to become an English teacher so that I can share my love of words with others.
I continuously struggle to "think like a poet" or "think like a writer" when all of the other facets of my personality dominate my life. It's almost as if the scholar in me is fighting with the artist in me for attention, and the scholar almost always wins. But the artist is holding strong, and still exists. It will just take some prompting to wake her up. Maybe I should enter another contest. Or maybe I just need to face some of the things that have been bothering me and force the writing out.
So, maybe I shouldn't say I'm a "former poet." Maybe it's more accurate to refer to myself as a non-practicing poet. Being a poet is as much about a frame of mind as it is what you write. Once a poet, always a poet. It's in my blood, and maybe I just need to let myself bleed a little to let it come out. |
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In my last poetry newsletter, back in September, I wrote about the importance of deciding when a poem needs punctuation and when it doesn't. It's clear there are many opinions on this topic, and I have included most of my feedback below.
I have always believed that poetry without punctuation is just plain wrong. It takes a very clever and talented poet to be able to manipulate the punctuation in order for the reader to truly experience what the poet has to say on paper. -Brian 
In regards to punctuation in poetry. I write poetry, and have been for years. Mainly, it's free verse. However, when I write my poems, I have to trust myself as to where to put punctuation IF I need to. :)
I love the newsletter.-ElizabethHayes-DaughterofIAM
I'm so glad you tackled punctuation in this newsletter. I drives me crazy when an author uses wrong punctuation or none at all when a little period here or there would have helped convey rhythm or tempo. I've been a poet for many years, and it's only through time that I've come to learn the type and amount of punctuation that works for me. It's all about practice. One thing that drive me crazy is when someone capitalizes the first word of every line even if it is part of the same sentence/thought. It makes me want to pull my hair out! -scribbler
Hi Crys,
your article on punctuation was welcome.
It's easy to think that readers will understand what you are saying in the poems you write.
But poetry is so personal that meaning can be lost. (That is not to say that individual readings - interpretations - are not valid.)
As a Senior English teacher, I regard punctuation as the unsung part of grammar: punctuation gives writing life.
One can compare the symbols used in written music with punctuation in writing: how is it that we can accurately reproduce a musical or literary composition written centuries ago?
The answer is obvious - every nuance of meaning and interpretation is recorded in the text we read.
The other problem is the habit to read poetry line by line, believing the end of each line is a full stop (period): like any text, poetry must be read according to the form the poet has created. Again, punctuation is critical: it is the signifier of meaning.
So: punctuate!!
Regards,
Turps -turps
It's informative. Although at first I didn't have exact knowledge either to punctuate or not, I always indicate in my reviews to give emphasis on the punctuations (those not punctuated). -30DBC Creator/Founder
CRYS!! Can I get an AMEN! AMEN! Oh Lawrd!
I read poetry out loud to myself when reading on WDC. Then I read again, to make sure that I understand the flow of the poem. When I suggest periods or even commas in reviews, I always receive the same answer, "I don't like punctuation." or "In poetry, it is not necessary." Or my favorite, "When I read my poem, it sounds good." Well duh! The author better know her/his the rhythm of the poem already. Now as a writer, your objective is to translate that rhythm to the reader. SO punctuation can become necessary. (I know people sometimes substitute punctuation for spacing, which helps the reader understand as well.) SO all in all, I think that using punctuation allows your reader to have a better feel for your poem, but punctuation also gives your poem a POWER that flows through your readers veins...if you use it right. =)
Great newsletter, Crys.
Roxiie-saraiv
Clarity is the chief reason for using proper punctuation. -skeptic7
Oh, well, thank you!!! I just struggled with a writer right here on WDC on the same topic. But thank goodness, since we were both courteous, there were no flailing arguments. And lo and behold, you have said it all. Thank you!! I hope everyone reads this newsletter in here. Phew! -Christina~Thanks StoryMaster
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Poetry: December 28, 2010 Issue [#4152]
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