Who reads poetry and why?

[Anonymous]

That's it really. Do you like the format? Do you look for meaning or care more about form? Do you look at how the two combine?

I've never been able to get into it so I'm curious.

[Anonymous]

I did it for class in college. I was mildly into it. I confess I don’t do it often any more but I will sometimes pull a book off the shelf.

I enjoy it most when you just kind of take it in for a few minutes and move on, like looking at a painting at a museum without learning that much about it. Enjoy the little punchy moments and let your brain work on the rest on its own time.

[Anonymous]

I’ve read it my whole life since discovering Sylvia Plath in high school. I have an MFA in creative writing, so I’m definitely obsessed with literature.

[Anonymous]

I write poetry, I have about 10 books out in the world, award winning poems and other accolades.

I honestly don't think poetry is for everyone and I'd never try to convince someone to read it, if they're not inclined. Nor do I feel the need to explain why I read it.

Why does anyone read anything? Cozy crime novels, thrillers, detective books, autobiographies, misery lit? Because everyone has a choice and different tastes to the next person, maybe.

Traditionally, poetry has been a more intellectual and exclusive literary form, but in recent years its become more inclusive and wider-ranging in terms of social groups; racially, LGTBQ, disability, etc.

There's the social media poets - Rupi Kaur and Brian Bilson who launched themselves on Instagram and Twitter. They have made millions of $$$ and become very well known among readers who wouldn't otherwise read poetry.

[Anonymous]

I like poetry but I don't seek it out. I enjoyed it a lot as a kid and still have my childhood poetry compendium.

Some pros:

I like wordplay, the effort of a well-chosen rhyme, a particularly vivid image

Poetry is time-efficient compared to reading books

Poetry can be part of cultural & history studies since they are shaped by them

Poetry can be sung to music/turned into songs and vice versa

Comic poems exist and are good for a laugh (limericks, etc)

Here's my true confession: I find ballet and most classical music really boring.

[Anonymous]

Interesting question: I love poetry in my native language, French. I love the cadence of the phrasing (excluding a lot of contemporary poems, many of which lack that cadence).

While I've been reading, writing and speaking in English since primary school, and I actually prefer to read prose in English, not in French... somehow I don't really enjoy the cadence of the English language in poetry.

It's the same for haikus: I have a very rudimentary understanding of Japanese, but I feel they only really come into their own in that language. Languages are not interchangeable and don't necessarily shine in every form.

Also, to respond to PP above who doesn't like ballet and classical music... those are artistic forms that have a high barrier to entry. If you didn't listen/watch with people who loved those forms and maybe explained their mechanics and goals, or if you didn't take lessons yourself with a inspiring teacher who could explain the intricacies, then it's understandable you might not have the background to appreciate these works. Classical music is the only music I listen to!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like poetry but I don't seek it out. I enjoyed it a lot as a kid and still have my childhood poetry compendium.

Some pros:

I like wordplay, the effort of a well-chosen rhyme, a particularly vivid image

Poetry is time-efficient compared to reading books

Poetry can be part of cultural & history studies since they are shaped by them

Poetry can be sung to music/turned into songs and vice versa

Comic poems exist and are good for a laugh (limericks, etc)

Here's my true confession: I find ballet and most classical music really boring.

Thanks! I remember I did (and do) like the Raven by Poe. It scratches an itch with your first point about rhyme, vivid image, and it's just fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting question: I love poetry in my native language, French. I love the cadence of the phrasing (excluding a lot of contemporary poems, many of which lack that cadence).

While I've been reading, writing and speaking in English since primary school, and I actually prefer to read prose in English, not in French... somehow I don't really enjoy the cadence of the English language in poetry.

It's the same for haikus: I have a very rudimentary understanding of Japanese, but I feel they only really come into their own in that language. Languages are not interchangeable and don't necessarily shine in every form.

Also, to respond to PP above who doesn't like ballet and classical music... those are artistic forms that have a high barrier to entry. If you didn't listen/watch with people who loved those forms and maybe explained their mechanics and goals, or if you didn't take lessons yourself with a inspiring teacher who could explain the intricacies, then it's understandable you might not have the background to appreciate these works. Classical music is the only music I listen to!

❤️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like poetry but I don't seek it out. I enjoyed it a lot as a kid and still have my childhood poetry compendium.

Some pros:

I like wordplay, the effort of a well-chosen rhyme, a particularly vivid image

Poetry is time-efficient compared to reading books

Poetry can be part of cultural & history studies since they are shaped by them

Poetry can be sung to music/turned into songs and vice versa

Comic poems exist and are good for a laugh (limericks, etc)

Here's my true confession: I find ballet and most classical music really boring.

Too bad. You are missing out.

[Anonymous]

I love poetry when I'm feeling down and kind of at sea emotionally. I love the way that a phrase can put into words all of the things that I am feeling. Fell in love recently with Mary Oliver and there are just some phrases that she uses. Here's the beginning of her poem "Wild Geese": You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.

I think maybe poetry is supposed to help you feel less alone in the world. We have been "going through some stuff" in 2024. It has been the worst year we have ever experienced and I find her poetry so comforting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read it my whole life since discovering Sylvia Plath in high school. I have an MFA in creative writing, so I’m definitely obsessed with literature.

I also started with Sylvia Plath though I don't have an MFA.

I find poems like beautiful word puzzles. The way you can take two distinct, unrelated words and form a whole new concept that leads to an emotion is amazing. I have been brought to tears through poetry. There are no boundaries except form, the metaphors make them limitless.

For example, "you parted the shirt from my breastbone and plunged your tongue to my barestript heart" is a favorite line of mine from Walt Whitman. Of course you can't make love to someone by literally kissing their heart. But that's so beautiful and vulnerable and the meaning transcends words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting question: I love poetry in my native language, French. I love the cadence of the phrasing (excluding a lot of contemporary poems, many of which lack that cadence).

While I've been reading, writing and speaking in English since primary school, and I actually prefer to read prose in English, not in French... somehow I don't really enjoy the cadence of the English language in poetry.

It's the same for haikus: I have a very rudimentary understanding of Japanese, but I feel they only really come into their own in that language. Languages are not interchangeable and don't necessarily shine in every form.

Also, to respond to PP above who doesn't like ballet and classical music... those are artistic forms that have a high barrier to entry. If you didn't listen/watch with people who loved those forms and maybe explained their mechanics and goals, or if you didn't take lessons yourself with a inspiring teacher who could explain the intricacies, then it's understandable you might not have the background to appreciate these works. Classical music is the only music I listen to!

Personally disagree about needing guidance as a way into art such as ballet or classical music. I had no sources around me that would lead me through loving either. My adoration stemmed from simple exposure; I am a spectator, not a dancer, not a musician. Ballet and classical music went into me and never let go. My appreciation led me to learn and understand more--not the other way around.

[Anonymous]

^^after rereading, I see you didn't say someone *needed* guidance to appreciate ballet or classical music. I was mistaken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting question: I love poetry in my native language, French. I love the cadence of the phrasing (excluding a lot of contemporary poems, many of which lack that cadence).

While I've been reading, writing and speaking in English since primary school, and I actually prefer to read prose in English, not in French... somehow I don't really enjoy the cadence of the English language in poetry.

It's the same for haikus: I have a very rudimentary understanding of Japanese, but I feel they only really come into their own in that language. Languages are not interchangeable and don't necessarily shine in every form.

Also, to respond to PP above who doesn't like ballet and classical music... those are artistic forms that have a high barrier to entry. If you didn't listen/watch with people who loved those forms and maybe explained their mechanics and goals, or if you didn't take lessons yourself with a inspiring teacher who could explain the intricacies, then it's understandable you might not have the background to appreciate these works. Classical music is the only music I listen to!

PP. I went to an all-day academic conference on the works of Balanchine and was fascinated by the presentations and the talks by his ex-wife and a male dancer. Then went to the evening ballet that went with the conference...including "Jewels"...and ugh...so snoozy. I've also been to performances like Swan Lake at the Mariinsky, and it doesn't connect with me. I've tried.

I like Medieval, Tudor, Baroque, and some Mozart. The rest of classical is pretty much a no go. I do like contemporary world music from a variety of cultures with non-Western instruments.

That's just my taste. One runs out of time to be coaxed into liking everything. Like OP and poetry. The world is infinite. There are many art forms to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Frank O'Hara
Langston Hughes
Sylvia Plath
Kim Addonizzio
Layli Long soldier
Natalie Diaz
Torrin A. Greathouse

Just to get a list of great poets worth reading, started