The term poetry comes from the medieval Latin poetia, from Latin poeta ‘poet’. It usually refers to the written expression of feelings and ideas using distinctive styles and rhythms. Poetry has been enjoyed by millions of people through oral and written traditions. What makes it so popular? Poetry says more and says it more intensely than ordinarily language.
Poetry gives us information, clarifying our thoughts and emotions. It has been used for persuasion—advertisements, propaganda, sermons, and political speeches.
Poetry doesn’t just tell us about an experience but it allows us to participate in it through our imaginations. We fill in the blanks the poet leaves out. We build our own images based on the information in the poem.
For instance, you can be surrounded by a roomful of people but not a single one may really know you—the real you, inside where your true self is hidden. Maybe you observe the person sitting on the row next to you.What do you really know about them? Let’s say they are female, early twenties, brown hair, casual dress, etc. But what do you really know? Poetry can take you further. It can even show you things about yourself. Maybe this girl is like the person in the poem below.
On Being Invisible
With each line I write
I feel a little more of
myself is being grafted onto
the body of my soul.
Some of the grafts are rejected
but those few that do take
root grow and increase
my knowledge of myself.
Who knows, someday I may
recognize myself formed
in the words on a plain
sheet of paper.
Perhaps I am even now
hidden on this page.
I am here if only
you will look.
© 1976, Darlo Gemeinhardt
Poetry is a multidimensional language covering intellectual, sensuous, emotional, and imaginative areas of life. Try it.
Darlo Gemeinhardt writes MG novels and the occasional poem.
She spends a good portion if each day taking care
of twenty-five dogs. That’s why she believes, “There’s
a Story in Every Dog.”
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