Poetry Exercise #1 (updated Jan 4), Join In! Options

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi all!  

Let's start our first interactive class with an abbreviated definition of poetry characteristics:

Poetry communicates and conveys feelings in a concentrated form. It uses language to create sound effects and word pictures, to set up associations in the reader’s mind, and to make striking comparisons through figures of speech.

Jox's take: Poetry conveys emotions and ideas in a concentrated form. It employs language creatively, both as imagery and for its tonal qualities. It is the purest form of writing.


In our first class, we will read a few lines from a famous poem.

The exercise is twofold:

• First, write down your first image and emotional reaction.
• Second, write a few lines with your own feeling and figure of speech to match the lines of the famous poem.

From the works of Alice Meynell, "Builders of Ruins", first stanza:

We build with strength and deep tower wall
that shall be shattered thus and thus.
And fair and great are court and hall,
but how fair--this is not for us,
who know the lack that lurks in all.

To view entire poem, click here.

Things to keep in mind:

• Is there a set metered pattern (of stressed and unstressed syllables)?
• Is there a set rhyming pattern (repetition of similar sounds)?
• Is there a set rhythmic pattern (the sense of movement attributable to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables)?

Let's start now. Please ADD REPLY to this tile.
GOOD LUCK!

~Cleo  

[Guest_Don_*]

Hi Don,

I've been reading your reply to Daniel - and I don't think I really understand it.

Personally I am discouraged that only a few grasp that main trope(s) are relatively unimportant to art of poetry.  Does it matter the meaning is missed?  Not really.  Is the practice lesson verse poetic? It certainly is because it sings even if listener hears gibberish.

All too often the first question anyone asks is, "What does it mean?"
As a teacher of poetry, you, of all people, should know meaning is between poet and reader.  Outside of that the meaning(s) are extremely moot.

Surely, a trope is figurative speech (e.g. a simile) and is not figurate language rather important to much poetry? Is not "the meaning" a separate issue?

Apropos "the meaning":

I agree entirely that the meaning is established betwixt writer and reader - both have their part to play. Therefore, ceteris paribus, possible interpretations of a poem are infinite. Writing is a form of communication so, for me, establishing the meaning of any writing is absolutely essential. I fully accept that poetry (more than any other form of the written word) may have strong aesthetic values which are there to be appreciated. This is akin to enjoying the beauty of music without understanding what it is about in any way - and similar for a painting. Nevertheless, words do have specific meanings which distinguishes them from musical notes or globules of paint. I think that ignoring those meanings misses the main point of writing. There is still the aesthetic aspects to enjoy - a swirling sound for water, maybe or alliteration and so on - but there are just poetry’s riches; not its raison d’etre.

Of course, since I did not really understand your comments I may have misinterpreted what you said - sorry if that be so. Nevertheless, it is an interesting debate.

James.

Hi Jox,

Perhaps I have mistakenly entered a sacred temple?  Let me step from a mist into clearer light for you to discern my shape.

I admit that "trope" is best applied strictly to figures of speech.  Let me enter the sunshine and say subject, theme or meaning instead of misleading, "trope."

Where I come from is an English professor teaching poetry repeatedly called general meaning a trope.  He also, to which I finally match his stride, insisted that the thematic meaning(s) were of lesser importance than other poetic devices.  In fact he used the obvious meanings strictly for sub-genre classification.  He may have had two ulterior motives.  First motive may have been to break students away from concentrating on meaning and pay attention to his instruction of multiple devices of the art.  
Second motive may have been related to grading critereon.
 
We probably agree that more people dance to music in relative ignorance of what it is all about.  So our impasse is that I, more than majority, pay far more attention to arrangements and effects of melodic mix than name of tune.

For me poetry is the beautiful building materials of language rather than overt message conveyed.
A speaker can transcend all subject matter via mastery of delivery. I am enthralled by whatever the beautiful lady chooses to say...sing me lullabys.

Messmerize me with your nonsense, Dr. Suess, or you, Lewis Carrol.

Maps may be discarded in direct proportion to strolling familiar paths of poetry.  Subjects like paths are essential foundation, but not among most pleasing objects to absorb.

Concluding, I agree with you that trope and meaning do differ, despite my professor's usage; and I shall retreat into a haze mumbling,

"May your path always be in verdant valley."

Don