How I Got Into Poetry
July 9th 2009 03:08
Those of you who read my blog regularly and have been for some time now (I actually think that might be most of my 10 or so readers) will know that poetry is one of my greatest passions. For me it flows easily and quickly; I don't have first drafts and second drafts of poems. I have one draft, and you either see that draft or you never see the poem at all.
The first writing I ever got really into was short story writing. Since I've started writing novels, I've found it much harder to write short stories now, as when I try, they end up growing into novels. It's somewhat frustrating but I get through it.
At first I absolutely hated poetry. Not reading it-I've always loved poetry, especially a poem called The Highwayman and various poems for youngsters. But writing it was excruciating for me, and this is because, in my early life, I was not introduced to free verse poetry.
In grades four and five were the first times I was really introduced to poetry. At these points I was introduced to form poetry-simple form poetry, like Tankas and Haiku. (Google it if you don't know, I don't care to expand on it at the moment.) These are short little formats with specific syllable counts, which do not allow for very much freedom at all.
It was not until grade six, at the start of January, that I fell in love with poetry. And I must say that when I did, I fell hard. (I've filled at least 5 books since, and that was about 4 years ago... and all this excluding what gets posted to the blog)
You see, I'd just moved into a new area and a new school. This was after the great Tsunami, which happened over the course of winter break that year. My vice principal walked into the classroom (though I never liked her much, or the school itself, or really anyone in it, they did get me into poetry) and announced that she would be selecting 10 poems to be read at the assembly coming up.
My class and the other grade six class in the school had both been writing poems about the Tsunami, and I asked if, even though I came a couple days late for the assignment, I could do it too and perhaps read at the assembly.
One of my all time best poems, Sorrows In The Aftermath, was the result. It was the first time I was told about free verse poetry. I was given a reason to write the poem, and so I did-and I realized what an amazing medium poetry can be. The poem mentioned is in my collection, Into The Shadows.
My three all time favourite poems came from that year-I find a lot of my best poetry came out during that time period, and that no matter how I try, nothing I write now really matches up-Sorrows in The Aftermath, Promise, and Little Girl were all from that year. All three have been published in various places I am too lazy to list here.
I was chosen to speak at the assembly, to read the poem, with much amazement and fawning over the poem coming from both my teacher and the vice principal. Everyone who has read it since has also truly loved it.
Well, I got suspended from school the day of the assembly, but that wasn't the important thing-the important thing is that it turned me into a poet.
The first writing I ever got really into was short story writing. Since I've started writing novels, I've found it much harder to write short stories now, as when I try, they end up growing into novels. It's somewhat frustrating but I get through it.
At first I absolutely hated poetry. Not reading it-I've always loved poetry, especially a poem called The Highwayman and various poems for youngsters. But writing it was excruciating for me, and this is because, in my early life, I was not introduced to free verse poetry.
In grades four and five were the first times I was really introduced to poetry. At these points I was introduced to form poetry-simple form poetry, like Tankas and Haiku. (Google it if you don't know, I don't care to expand on it at the moment.) These are short little formats with specific syllable counts, which do not allow for very much freedom at all.
It was not until grade six, at the start of January, that I fell in love with poetry. And I must say that when I did, I fell hard. (I've filled at least 5 books since, and that was about 4 years ago... and all this excluding what gets posted to the blog)
You see, I'd just moved into a new area and a new school. This was after the great Tsunami, which happened over the course of winter break that year. My vice principal walked into the classroom (though I never liked her much, or the school itself, or really anyone in it, they did get me into poetry) and announced that she would be selecting 10 poems to be read at the assembly coming up.
My class and the other grade six class in the school had both been writing poems about the Tsunami, and I asked if, even though I came a couple days late for the assignment, I could do it too and perhaps read at the assembly.
One of my all time best poems, Sorrows In The Aftermath, was the result. It was the first time I was told about free verse poetry. I was given a reason to write the poem, and so I did-and I realized what an amazing medium poetry can be. The poem mentioned is in my collection, Into The Shadows.
My three all time favourite poems came from that year-I find a lot of my best poetry came out during that time period, and that no matter how I try, nothing I write now really matches up-Sorrows in The Aftermath, Promise, and Little Girl were all from that year. All three have been published in various places I am too lazy to list here.
I was chosen to speak at the assembly, to read the poem, with much amazement and fawning over the poem coming from both my teacher and the vice principal. Everyone who has read it since has also truly loved it.
Well, I got suspended from school the day of the assembly, but that wasn't the important thing-the important thing is that it turned me into a poet.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
That was when my dad had cancer. I had a temper problem. (Still do, but I haven't been suspended in a long time.) I figure I have rights. And I'm not disappointed that I missed the assembly, really.
~Dianna
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I loved reading and analysing poetry, but detested writing it even after being introduced to free verse. I could not find cadence, I could not find rythym.
So, I rhymed every line to force myself to put a certain beat to the poem. I really love some of them and I find them really creative - given that I only have a certain selection of words at the end of each line, I still kept true to my imagery.
If Davids blog was still up - 'Potter in a harry' by 'lady henrietta muddling' I'd suggest reading 'The Spy who couldnt say Pie'
David an I discuss poetry a lot - he likes free verse and hates rhyme. I believe rhyme has a lot of merit. On that post we let rip about our poetry ideas. I considered it to be one of his best poems ever.
I have only started free verse over the last few years. I do enjoy it, sometimes I write poetry all day, sometimes I go weeks without it. But like you, its first draft and done - no editing, no extra drafts. David says I should edit, and do drafts, Im like, but its so short. I'd rather start a new poem.
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Personally I have nothing against rhyme, I just find that in my own writing it confines me too much. I need a certain amount of freedom in everything I write.
David was an excellent poet, and an excellent writer in general; I miss that guy.
I definitely agree... I would rather start a new poem, even if it's got the same meaning, then edit an old one.
~Dianna