Lets Talk Poetry

I would love to hear from others what they get from reading poetry? For me it gives me an escape. I am able to read a good poem and see a picture. The imaginatoion is a wonderful thing. When reading a well written poem you are able to watch it unfold in your mind. There are so many good poets on P&Q who can do just this.

But there are poets here that think their poetry is top of the line--and they are often the meanest when it comes to good honest comments. Then there are the poets who write to heal--admire them for posting their private thoughts--and those that write to further themselves in their depression--but don't shun them.

There are those who want to learn the writing craft--we ignore them. There are those who write too deep for most people--we neglect learning to read between their lines to see what they meant. There are those who have talent--we forget them. There are those who write the usual things--we embrace them.

What exactly is poetry anymore?

I try to learn something from everything I read. I usually take something away with each thing I read. A good feeling, a bit of wisdom, heartache, pain, laughter etc......Word are a very powerful thing. They can cause pain faster than anything else. They can also bring us great joy and happiness. A writer that can move a person with their words is very talented no matter the age or gender. My mother instilled in me a love of reading. It has helped me through many a hard time. I have passed my love of reading on to my son. I am now lucky enough to have three grand-children whom to read to. I have just introduced them to poetry.

I hope they become wise through words. That they could understand that the depths of a poet's soul might be void of light but at the same time their heart is brighter in the darkness.

We look at poetry as words but do we understand what it too for a poet to express them on paper?

I know what it was like for me to express my feelings on paper. I do not consider myself a poet. I am just an admirer. My journal that I had written in laid on a shelf for 4yrs. With the encoragement of someone I posted. I pondered for awhile first. I can say it did make my sadness and grief less of a burden on my heart. I do get so much enjoyment from reading the poetry of others. Sometimes you run across that one poem that just hits you in the face. When you realize you are not alone in the way you feel and there are others that go through the same hardships you do.

I am not a poet. I'm someone who writes with no direction or thought being put into how the poem will turn out. I'm someone who questions the type of future she might have in writing--would poems be hushed in a journal or revealed for others to see?

Is it a form even proffesonals can master? Are some people born with a writing gift or is it learned? And if it is learned, is it only technical things or heart?

I probably should not try to answer this I always end up getting myself in trouble when I speak. Hopefully if you are looking for a writting career it will happen for you. I think writing is a gift. The structure form punctuation etc.........is taught. The way the person can spin and paint images with words I think is a true gift. The deepest feelings and thoughts come from ones heart and soul.

I was watching a movie last night about the life of Johnny Cash. In the movie ‘I walk the line’ the scene that stood out was when Johnny was performing at Folsom prison the warden requested that he refrain from performing songs that reminded the inmates they were in prison, Johnny looked toward the warden and asked; do you think they forgot? In my opinion more than half of the people in the world are in some kind of prison for things they actually did. For them poetry can the song of the heart that frees them from their selves. For the not guilty it can be a brief escape to the imagery you speak of Cindy.

Illumanti, I can tell you this you have helped others heal. I being one of them. Reading your words help me everyday. I thank you for this.

Thank you Michael, Your words mean alot. For I am livining in a prison of a body that does not work. Yet I still have a good mind. Sometimes a blessing other times a curse.

Poetry can tell a story, paint a picture and fill your heart with so many different emotions. It is a wonderful Art form.

Thank you Cindy fine poets like you are an inspiration to me

I mean the greater the challenge the more hope you can give to the people that have the same affliction

The irony is when we may profit from a curse

I love your work Illuminati

Hey let's talk poetry on a poetry website! How very odd!

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reading other peoples poetry for me is like making a special connection to that person, being inside their mind for just a moment,to understand their pain or joy or love to feel what they feel,and the more I read the more I realize that even though we are strangers we are all so much alike,looking for the same connection to another human being, after I read one of your poems I feel like I kind of know you, maybe invisibly touched you briefly,If that makes any sense!

Yes Deena It does. I also get so much from reading poetry. That is what helps me the most knowing there are others that feel the same pain that I do. It helps to know you are not alone.

Thats how I feel too ,this may be a computer,just a web site maybe we are strangers but we are all real people,with real lives not always perfect, poetry is a way of reaching out to each other,and its easier to be completely honest with people you will probably never meet. but Cindy you are not alone.

I have been truely blessed meeting people on this site. I have made many friends here. I have only ran into one dishonest person. I am learnig all the time. I still like to belive the best in people. I think by reading ones writing you can learn a great deal about someone. There are poets here that can paint a picture for your mind when you need to escape. Ones who make you cry from just reading there words, others make you smile and sometimes laugh. I am my happiest when reading.

Amazing poem Bob!

WOW! Bob that was a excellent poem thanks for sharing.

poetry reading and writting are escapes for me. Some times when reading a poem I get inspired by it to write 1 of my own on the same topic or a similair 1 I love reading others work to broaden my mind it can make u think about stuff differently.

That is what I love doing more than anythnig is reading :)

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