Writing poetry and writing about poetry both require a deep engagement with language and the exploration of feelings, yet they serve different purposes. When writing about poetry, we gain a deeper understanding of the poet's interpretation through analysis and critical thinking. This involves breaking down the poem to examine its themes and techniques. On the other hand, writing poetry allows for greater creative freedom, focusing on imagery, rhythm, and personal expression. Despite their differences, both practices reflect the use of emotions, insights, and thoughts, allowing for a deep exploration of feelings.
I believe writing about poetry has enhanced my understanding of various techniques and styles. I’ve learned how poets use meter, repetition, rhyme, imagery, couplets, metaphors and more to shape their word choice and form, creating powerful self-expression. Increasing my appreciation for the details in other poets' work. This knowledge has helped me write poetry more effectively, allowing me to capture moments, express feelings, and tell stories.
From this experience, I learned that writing poetry is a bit easier than I expected. I often felt overwhelmed by various styles and techniques, which is why I didn’t write poetry before. However, I discovered that poetry can capture a moment in time, express feelings, or tell a story. The writing exercise we did in class helped me a lot. I kept writing and eventually picked out specific words and phrases to create a poem. Writing about poetry, along with writing my own, taught me the similarities and differences, increasing my appreciation for both. In my future teaching, I can use this exercise to highlight the connection, encouraging students to analyze poems to enhance their own writing and understand the deeper meaning of poetry.
Hey Sam! I noticed you mentioned that writing about poetry has helped you in your technique which is great and makes me think of the saying "in oder to become a better writer you must become a better reader." There is something so fundamentally important about breaking down a poem and looking at the poem as a reader that helps you as an author. I think this might be because it allows us to realize that a poet must write for themselves, they must have something to say and the courage to say it. So when we look at it as a reader we are able to see the effects of our personal writing and learn how to improve it. I also noticed that you mentioned that writing poetry is easier than you thought which is so honest because when you realize that poetry actually has no limits and the "free verse" is an option there is suddenly a world of value in poetry. I think this is also where we as readers begin to ponder what makes good poetry. We know that anyone can write a poem but not everyone can be a poet and I think that comes down to the impact we feel. Who I deem a poet might not be the same as you but we can still love the world of poetry all the same. Which welcomes the human race into a space where we can share experiences and be vulnerable in a way that rhymes, or doesn't. You also talked about how poetry allows you to breakdown deep emotions and I agree, this exercise allowed me to feel and express things that I never talk about. In doing that I believe it brought me closer to my peers and close to my poetry.
ReplyDeleteYours truly,
Hailey Pack
HI Samantha,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your response; I thought that it summed up a lot of what I took from the experience as well. It definitely gave me a much better understanding of poetry and introduced me to new techniques and examples of techniques that I I now feel a little more capable of playing with in my writing. I noticed you mentioned that you prior to the experience you felt overwhelmed with writing poetry because of all of the different techniques and styles but that after the experience you feel a lot more comfortable with writing poems. I thought this was interesting because I feel the same way. I often felt this strong intimidation when I would sit down and try and write poetry, but now I feel a lot more comfortable and less stressed out about the task. One thing I am taking away from this assignment is the learning opportunity it will provide future students.
Freedumb Wiriter (Gerardo Escobar)