Human beings are the most unique of all creatures inhabiting the planet. They posses the ability to see, hear, touch, and feel the world around them. In a society such as found in the United States, humans are actively pursuing careers and caring for their children and families. Many times there is little time left over for the senses; time to stop and 'smell' the roses, time to 'hear' the wind as it rushes through the Autumn leaves, time to 'touch' a good book, or a glass of wine, or another human being. Time to 'feel' what's really going on on the inside. All senses seem to be lost during the comotion of living. Yet, from the beginning when man first walked the earth, he was curious about the world around him and sensed the importance of self expression. Many cave drawings, petroglyhhs, and etchings on the walls of the pyramids are evidence of the ancestral link that we share today when we create. Whether on canvas, bronze, or penned, the artist masters his craft for the enjoyment that his creation brings to self and others. From the first rock held in a human hand to pound out a word, to the computer age that we live in today, man is on a ceaseless journey to create.
Webster's Dictionary describes Poetry as; the art of writing stories, poems and thoughts into verse. A poem is a composition in verse with a language selected for its beauty and sound. There is no schematic about the process of creating a poem. Styles can vary greatly from one poet to the next. the realm of exploration through words is endless. A poem can rhyme with an even flow, or it can be void of rhyme at all, yet still be as equally profound. The poet is an artist who uses language to delight the heart or break it. A poem can relate the harsh truths of life and cover matters such as aids, war, and loneliness. A poem can also be uplifiting and speak of love, hope, and happiness. Normal methods of grammar become taboo as the poet works his craft. Like a fine artist or sculptor, the poet crafts his work with feeling and wonder. He acquires an intimate empathy with what is going on in the poem. If the poet is feeling sadness, those thoughts will prevail in his writings. If the poet is feeling happy, the writings will be uplifting, and so on.
Until the 20th Century, women, although recognized to a greater degree in other creative arts, were still relegated to second place in the field of literature. While there was no end to the number of poets among American women, only the work of a few has survived. One of the most predominant female poets of the 1890's was Emily Dickinson. Ms. Dickinson was considered a momumential genius of her day, because she broke with the tradition of her day and paved the way for modern verse. Although her works remained unrecognized until four years after her death in 1886. Ms. Dickinson clearly brought about the revolution that resulted in modern American poetry.
Sexism played a role in the early history of poetry as well. Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote a famous poem called 'Renascence' which was first published in 1912. Prominent male poets of the day, Witter Brynner and Arthur Davidson, both refused to believe the biographical note because of Ms. Millay's sex and age. They went on to state that "No sweet young thing of twenty could have written a poem with depth and vision of Renascence." They further added,"Ms. Millay is reported to have responded to Mr. Brynner and Mr. Davidson with a letter which stated she, 'simply would not be male!"
In the era which followed WWII and the Korean Conflict, women began to demand equal consideration and recognition in poetry as well in all other areas of human endeavor. The women's liberation movement, the fight for civil rights, and the emergence of black women eager to join the forces with other woman and fight for recognition as poets regardless of sex, spawned a new era in the evolution of modern poetry.
Famous male poet C.S. Lewis published his first poem in 1913, "Quam Bene Saturno," at the age of thirteen. He never tired of the classical poets, and throughout his life wrote poems using pagan deities as spiritual symbols. He also wrote many poems which contained 'thoughtful wishing' as opposed to wishful thinking. He continued to write short lyrics all his life. Mr. Lewis was blessed with a phenomenal memory to remember nearly everything that he read, except for his own writings. Many times when h is very poems were quoted to him, he would ask who the author was.
Poetry has two forms; formal and informal. Most formal poems adhere to conventional rules of thought and flow. The subject matter can vary from romance, reflection, and subjects which stir the mind. Formal poetry is that which is published in books and magazines. Informal poetry is a different form of expression altogether. A good example of informal poetry is cowboy poetry, also known as folk poetry. Although both formal and informal poetry share the same literary aim; the poet is always in search of the best language, the most perfect language for the subject matter and for personal poetic intent. Informal poetry takes a more relaxed approach to expression. Cowboy poetry uses language which reflects light and smell and open places, hard times and soft evenings; a language coded with insider's words, special phrases, and meanings, as well as shared values. The oral tradition of recited poetry has sustained itself almost exclusively in ranching communities. Poems are sometimes published in weeklies and rural intrest magazines, but are mostly created and passed around the campfire, in the bunk house, and on horseback.
For all intents abd purposesthere is a great freedom of expression for the poet. The poet has the ablility to move the heart to a kinder state, or to enrage the mind into a flurry of thouhts. A poem can make you wonder or wander to a place you've never been. it can capture your heart in such a way that the reader will never be the same. A famous saying reads that there is a 'rhyme and reason' to all things. Perhaps the reason for rhymes is to make sense of the senseless and bring purpose to the reason for living. What lies beyond the stone age and age of computers can only be more poems, more poems, and more poems!
Written by
Heart
1994
All Rights Reserved
