Writing poetry is a brave act of truth and power. Writing about poetry is an act of kindness and identification. Both are ineffable sides of the human experience. Poetry is so much more than most people think it is, particularly modern poetry. I have definitely appreciated learning more about the structures of poetry in this class, particularly because one must know the rules of an art form before one can properly break the rules. The best way to fight the power is to know the power you are fighting against.
I'm currently taking a Theories of Poetry class, reading essays and excerpts from famous poets on why they write poetry, and how. It's been transformative for my process of writing poetry, and also has helped me to be able to speak about poetry properly and with more tact. Writing more poetry with the proper context of the history of poetry has made my poetry feel that much stronger. Getting to perform it in front of the class was also really fun. I really wish I could have stayed longer, but alas, life has a way of making things difficult.
In any case, taking this into my future as a teacher, I will absolutely be teaching my students about the history and theory of poetry, as well as the in depth analysis portion as we write poetry. Coming at it from all sides with that three-pronged approach, I think, is the best way to keep them engaged while also making sure that some true academia is happening.
Hello Tina!!
ReplyDeleteI love that you say, “Writing poetry is a brave act of truth and power.” I’m going to have to save that for class. Don’t worry, I’ll cite you. I’m unsure if I agree with it being a kindness because some poems can be vengeful, but maybe I should use that too. A writer's kindness is to put you into words that bleed through paper. I was definitely introduced to new poems and a new way to look at them. I think sometimes I write and then find a form; however, for this, I had to find out how to put my story in a specific form. As well as see how to use the form to maximize and convey the story. I also loved the poetry slam. I think this would be fun for our middle school and high school classes. It was even inspiring to hear different topics, which made me want to write. I think a cool assignment for our students would be to take one of the poems they heard and write a short analytical paper on it. This could even prequel their essays on the classic poems. Prompting them to think of what was important for them to focus on.
Hi, Tina
ReplyDeleteI also think that poetry is more than what people think that it is. Poetry has existed for hundreds of years undergoing many transformations and revisions throughout history. I'm not taking a poetry theory class so it's interesting to hear that you're taking one and using the things you've learned and applying it to your current works. The only thing I've taken that's remotely close would be my major crit theory class and we only skim the philosophical contemplations on mimetics and poetics. but i digress and say that I agree with your statements and mentality about poetry completely and hope that when you use this on your students they have just as much fun as we did when we all did it.
Hi Tina!
ReplyDeleteI really like that you are going to teach about the history and theory of poetry! It is such an amazing way to learn more about what you like and enhance the way you think about poetry! I also agree that to write poetry, it's good to have a foundation of writing about poetry! It can be really difficult to grasp the concept of poetry sometimes, so having a firm foundation is the way to go. It is so interesting how you are taking a Theories of Poetry class! You said it helped you a lot with understanding poetry more, and I think I need that too! I am not too great at poetry, and understanding it has been a challenge for me, so I can possibly take a class like that next semester! Your views are so inspiring, I wish I had a knack for poetry like you!