Why poetry?

[oneiopen]

Why bother? It's not going to make you rich. It's not going to get you world fame (let's be realistic). It might get you laid occasionally but not frequently enough to be worth the eye-rolls. So what drives you to it?

[poetic peony]

HA! You know when people say that there are some things you'd do regardless if it made money? Well, this is one of those things for me. It's fun, but it's never gotten me laid. (Unless its in the verse itself.) Never gotten me money. Never gotten me more than laughs, tears, or rotten vegetables, but that's the reason I share them.

What drives me to it? INSANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stew21]

I was never good at painting, and I had to share the pictures in my head somehow. :shrug: words work.

[scarletpeaches]

If you have to ask 'why' you probably shouldn't be doing it.

[WackAMole]

If you have to ask 'why' you probably shouldn't be doing it.

agreed

[oneiopen]

If you have to ask 'why' you probably shouldn't be doing it.

Perhaps if you don't ask "why" you shouldn't be doing it - there's a lot of terrible poetry out there :)

[davids]

Perhaps if you don't ask "why" you shouldn't be doing it - there's a lot of terrible poetry out there :)


YUO-and it aint half bad either!!

[WackAMole]

Perhaps if you don't ask "why" you shouldn't be doing it - there's a lot of terrible poetry out there :)

I write terrible poetry

It makes me feel good. I'd never attempt to publish it..I do it just because I want to splash out feelings onto a piece of paper. I shove the finished work into a drawer and look at it a year later. It's kinda cool to see how we change over the years.

if you do it because you love it, it doesnt matter if its good or bad IMO

[scarletpeaches]

Even if there's awful poetry out there, so what? Doesn't mean yours or mine or davids' or anyone else's needs to be bad.

I mean, look at the dreck that's published these days when it comes to novels. Doesn't stop me trying to write something better.

[davids]

That's cuz yer so damn purdy and have a wondurfuel way with them wordy thangs!!!

[scarletpeaches]

Oh, you! ;)

[davids]

Ah shuckins!! Grins' folds his claws in embareassment and looks down at his lobster tootsies!!!!

[dclary]

Because I choose to.

[ddgryphon]

Because I can't help myself.

[poetinahat]

Why bother? It's not going to make you rich. It's not going to get you world fame (let's be realistic). It might get you laid occasionally but not frequently enough to be worth the eye-rolls. So what drives you to it?
I know the question is at least somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Still, what a sad, dull world it would be if we only ever did things because of the material rewards.

With respect, this question reminds me of the age-old grumbling student's lament: "Why should I learn this? I'll never use it in the real world." (ETA: And, well, you never know until you're *in* the real world, do you?)

There's a lot of discussion here about why people write. Certainly, lots do it for the money, but others claim they have to -- it's a compulsion -- or they love to do it. There might be some overlap between these groups, but they're not the same.

Some thoughts about why I write poems:

Because I enjoy it.
To see whether I can.
Because it expresses things in ways that prose doesn't.
Because, sometimes, it helps me learn about myself in ways I can't foresee.
Because it gives me something to share and discuss with some very, very interesting people.

[scarletpeaches]

I like the "to see whether I can" option.

To illustrate, a few days ago I had a chat with someone about speaking in public. I told the other person that it scares the hell out of me, so I do it. He frowned and asked why you would want to do something that scares you, and I said, "You've answered your own question. I like to do things that scare me so I'm not scared any more." It's like ticking something off a list. "Yup, set myself that challenge, nailed it, thank you and goodnight."

Okay, poetry's not scary (unless it's your own work you're reading in public!) but it's the same principle. I do lots of things to see if I can. It's about getting over a fear, or challenging myself, or setting a goal, or in some cases reaching out to people. It's great to let someone read a poem and hear the reaction, "Yeah, I feel that way too!"

Sure you could do it with prose, but I'm a fan of rhyme and meter and form. The pre-ordained structure sets me a challenge along the lines of, "Let's see if I can describe this feeling or relate that incident in a form set down by someone else many years ago."

Like a puzzle - a puzzle that when completed, will hopefully also entertain.

[P.H.Delarran]

I'm with PIAH on most of his reasons. And I'll add one; because sometimes it's the only way to express something.
And wasn't there a discussion somewhere that poetry taps into a different part of our brain than straight prose? If that's so, then that explains the satisfaction,even without acclaim or monetary gain.

[oneiopen]

sometimes it's the only way to express something...poetry taps into a different part of our brain

That's the main reason I keep coming back to it. The practice of thinking, of expressing myself in metaphors, stretches my ability to understand and what I am able to understand. Plus, I get to hang out with the cool kids :)

[oneiopen]

...in some cases reaching out to people. It's great to let someone read a poem and hear the reaction, "Yeah, I feel that way too!"

It's intense communication, large experience, large examination, compacted. It's hard. "Challenge" resonates with me.

[scarletpeaches]

Yup, I think that's it.

I use prose to describe characters (I believe that character is plot when it comes to novels) and poetry to describe situations or feelings.

My novels are 300-page lies and my poems are one-page snippets of truth. Interpret them how you will, but I know the truth that lies behind them. ;)

[oneiopen]

And wasn't there
a discussion somewhere
that poetry taps into
a different part of our brain
than straight prose?
If that's so,
then that explains
the satisfaction,
even without acclaim
or monetary gain.

I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself from enjambing :D

[poetinahat]

Best thread going in the whole place right now. *applause to you all*

[scarletpeaches]

Best thread going in the whole place right now. *applause to you all*

When poets praise my head does swell;
(were I a man, rude parts as well).
Poetic license will not fail -
I will be good, will not derail.

*takes a bow*

[scarletpeaches]

To add: there have been very few books that have made me gasp in wonder and many, many poems have. (I'm thinking of the last paragraph of Wally Lamb's I Know This Much Is True - poetry in novel form IMO and a book that made me say, "I wish I'd written that!")

I think this is because, as I said, novels tend to be about characters whereas poems focus on situations and feelings and everything that situation is, everything that feeling is, is crystallised into one line or phrase or verse. With a character in a novel, you have hundreds of pages to get to know them, so there's no need to get everything about them into one sentence or paragraph, the novelist's equivalent.

I think the fact an entire feeling can be described in one line of a poem makes it more intense.

Whoa.

*head spins after being mature for an entire post*

[PrettySpecialGal]

For me-- and my students right now-- it's all about word choice. Fiding the right word for the right time and the right feeling-- and expressing myself concicely (did I spell that right?)
As a prose writer by nature, I have never *loved* poetry. To this day, I prefer limericks to many types of poetry (although the haikus here are so fun that I bought a haiku t-shirt!) However, poetry makes me choose wisely to express myself completely.

[LimeyDawg]

My wife asks me the same damned things. For me, writing and critiquing poetry helps me with my fiction. I'm working on my first novel. I don't think it would be half as good (or bad) as it is without some exposure to what does and does not work in poetry. I suck as a poet. I'm hoping I do better at fiction.

[TsukiRyoko]

It's all about the way you want to express yourself and the ideas you have. Some choose novels, some choose songs, and some choose poetry. Chances are that no writer, poet or not, is going to make much money, and I don't think it's wise to choose your passions based on the income they bring with them. People write (not just poetry, but everything) for the same reason they play an instrument or draw. Yeah, it's probably not going to bring a lot of money your way. But, so what? :Shrug:

[Writer???]

I like the "to see whether I can" option.

To illustrate, a few days ago I had a chat with someone about speaking in public. I told the other person that it scares the hell out of me, so I do it. He frowned and asked why you would want to do something that scares you, and I said, "You've answered your own question. I like to do things that scare me so I'm not scared any more." It's like ticking something off a list...

I am simply scared to death of gorgeous neked women, panting and calling me an Adonis like sexula magnet. Scares hell out of me and oh how I need to face my fears, tick them off and nail them. :D (sorry, I went for the easy laugh. I'll go away now:gone: )

[NeuroFizz]

In answer to the original question:

1) because it is an intellectual challenge (most intellectual challenges don't have overt pay-offs). I think anyone who doesn't push themselves toward intellectual challenges is missing a lot in life, and a lot of life.

2) because it helps sharpen my craft in another intellectual challenge--writing fiction

3) because it is extremely interesting to see how others use a similar medium (though a quite variable one) to present, ideas, views, and experiences.

4) for recreational purposes (seriously--it's fun to write, and fun to read what others write--this is not limited to humorous fun, either)

[oneiopen]

...because it is extremely interesting to see how others use a similar medium (though a quite variable one) to present, ideas, views, and experiences.

Sometimes you can tell a particular poet's work just by looking at the page. That's harder to do with prose unless it's much more experimental.

[scarletpeaches]

I can recognise cummings' work just by looking at the page and it makes me want to vomit. I'm allergic to pretentious wank.

[davids]

Miss Scarlet I must tell you that I have had a few pretentious wanks in my life and they are not all THAT bad really!

[scarletpeaches]

:ROFL:

[oneiopen]

...I have had a few pretentious wanks in my life and they are not all THAT bad really!

So have I :) But doesn't any art form grow by experimentation? It's easier to stay safe than to risk ridicule, failure, for attempting the avant garde. I'd rather see "pretentiousness" than sameness. Isn't poetry generally less accessible because as an art form it encourages radical departure of thought, form and content?

[davids]

So have I :) But doesn't any art form grow by experimentation? It's easier to stay safe than to risk ridicule, failure, for attempting the avant garde. I'd rather see "pretentiousness" than sameness. Isn't poetry generally less accessible because as an art form it encourages radical departure of thought, form and content?


I agree totally-but in the case of pretentious wanks-well-er-I had something other in mind that poetry!

[scarletpeaches]

It works both ways. I know for a fact there are people who look down on my poetry because I stick to rhyme, meter and form. If 'anything goes' then where are the rules? Where's the challenge if you can write anything you want and call it poetry?

I don't have a problem with people writing free verse as long as they respect my preference for form. Personally I don't 'get it' and doubt I ever will, but then there are people who avoid verse forms out of a kind of poetic snobbery.

It's similar to prose in a way (and to me, if poems don't have rhyme or form, that's what you're writing - prose). You have to know what the rules are before you can break them with impunity.

Too many people write free verse by spewing out garbage, without knowing what poetry really is, how it came to be.

[davids]

It works both ways. I know for a fact there are people who look down on my poetry because I stick to rhyme, meter and form. If 'anything goes' then where are the rules? Where's the challenge if you can write anything you want and call it poetry?

I don't have a problem with people writing free verse as long as they respect my preference for form. Personally I don't 'get it' and doubt I ever will, but then there are people who avoid verse forms out of a kind of poetic snobbery.

It's similar to prose in a way (and to me, if poems don't have rhyme or form, that's what you're writing - prose). You have to know what the rules are before you can break them with impunity.

Too many people write free verse by spewing out garbage, without knowing what poetry really is, how it came to be.

Yes yes could not agree more-that is why prose-etry has been created-see all geniusical work from Davids-well some of the recent ones and probably everything else as well-there is a wheel turn turn-there is a season-turn turn-off now for a nip and a wank-luv the serious ones wherever the hell they may be!!!!

[scarletpeaches]

davids always makes me laugh. :D

[LimeyDawg]

are you sure you didn't mean probaticus lobsterino incarceratimus?

[Sassenach]

I can recognise cummings' work just by looking at the page and it makes me want to vomit. I'm allergic to pretentious wank.

Anyone who praises Wally Lamb and then disses my e.e. is asking for trouble.

I'm just sayin'...

[davids]

are you sure you didn't mean probaticus lobsterino incarceratimus?


HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAetc etc-actually Bubba and I had a falling out-we do not see each other much anymore-he is still incarceratified and I have decided to make a glorious effort to avoid hairy bum luv-it is a spiritual kind of think-I am sure you understand!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA etcetcetcetcanus!

[scarletpeaches]

"Hairy bum luv," is being worked into my next ode to davids, that's for certain sure.

[LimeyDawg]

I've dedicated my life to avoiding hairy bum love...although, there was that unfortunate incident while attending the U. of Georgia, when, after a night of trolling, I woke up next to one so hairy, I had to sober up to realize that it was, barely, female...but I still drink to this day.

[davids]

Et tu Dawgus?!?!?!?

[davids]

"Hairy bum luv," is being worked into my next ode to davids, that's for certain sure.

We expect as much dear heart!!

[scarletpeaches]

Off out to do some shopping (on a Friday evening, I must be a mentalist) but upon my return I shall get to work on a sonnet incorporating hairy bum luv for lobsters. :D

[NeuroFizz]

Grease it good, Lassie. Oh, dark corners of this globe, turn to me. Make me feel. Friction free. Or enough friction to set me free. Whee.

[Meerkat]

I must be a mentalist...upon my return I shall get to work on a sonnet incorporating hairy bum luv for lobsters. :D

"And that, gentle newbies, is why poetry was invented. THE END."

[rubarbb]

Why bother?


It's called creativity! To produce something from the mind, be it a painting, a poem or just an new thought. Thats why I bother. To leave something of beauty to this otherwise lackluster (but wonderful) world. :)

[davids]

"And that, gentle newbies, is why poetry was invented. THE END."


Me thinks that the kat has sewed this all up quite nicely-well done katmando!!!!

[scarletpeaches]

It's called creativity! To produce something from the mind, be it a painting, a poem or just an new thought. Thats why I bother. To leave something of beauty to this otherwise lackluster (but wonderful) world. :)

I had this conversation with someone a while back who said, "If you're not published, you're not a writer."

I said, "No, I'm a writer. I'm just not an author yet. It's all about leaving something that wasn't here before I came."

They didn't get it and it was one of those tell-tale moments when you look at someone and think, "I don't know you any more."

More to it than that of course, but when I can't connect with someone over a matter that's so important to me, I'm wasting my time with them.

[louiscypher]

I don't know of any worthwhile artist in the history of art whom didn't die an emotional or financial pauper whilst plying their trade! So the real question here is are you willing to die on your feet exercising your passion, or live on your knees while swallowing dead persons' shit.

And besides, in poetry you get be play the penultimate Ninja role, as yourself, and slyly piss into tofty faces whilst they applaud their own demise!

[Sassenach]

And besides, in poetry you get be play the penultimate Ninja role, as yourself, and slyly piss into tofty faces whilst they applaud their own demise!

One of my hobbies is pointing out the misuse of "penultimate." It means the "next to last"--not the most ultimate.

[louiscypher]

see be play, rather than to play ... ju should also know that my hobby is to bag and gag other peoples nasty lil hobbies of habit?

J

>the sound of one hand clapping< here

ju-see why I like poetry so much now?