Did you know April is National Poetry Month? This is the final post in a three-part series on Poetry for Beginners. Don’t forget to read Part One: Discovering the Joy of Poetry and Part Two: Five Books of Poetry for Beginners.
Yesterday you were so inspired by my book recommendations that you went to the library, spent hours perusing the stacks, and picked out a book of poetry, right? If so, I’m so jealous of your free time! I did sneak fifteen minutes of alone time in the library yesterday afternoon, but didn’t bring any poetry home with me. Instead, I grabbed a new novel about Prussia and the Soviet Union during WWII. Perhaps I should have gone to the poetry section instead!
Whether you have a book of poetry waiting for you or not, I hope today’s hints will help you overcome any fear you might have of reading poetry. Once you stop overthinking it, poetry can be very enjoyable. It can even be a form of prayer. So, how does one go about reading—and enjoying—poetry? Today I’m bringing you five ways to start. The hardest part is opening the book.
Read it out loud
Did you know the oldest forms of poetry were sung or recited? Poetry predates any written language and is meant to be read out loud. When I first learned about the sonnet last year, I imagined troubadours traveling the streets singing familiar poems to anyone who would listen. It’s not unlike our favorite song lyrics today. In fact, one might argue that the best songwriters are indeed poets.
Something different happens in our brains when we read out loud. We hear rhythm and rhyme; onomatopoeia and alliteration. The language of poetry is richer and more beautiful when read out loud.
Close your eyes and listen
The flip side of reading poetry out loud is to listen as someone else reads it to you. I love when my children read poetry to me. The words take on such a different meaning when I hear them in tiny voices. Without seeing the words, I hear the sounds the words make, and it transports me to a different time and place.
If you live alone and aren’t ready to share the experience of poetry with someone else, find an audiobook of poetry and start there. Most of the books from yesterday come in audio version (milk and honey, Brown Girl Dreaming, what kind of woman). Or if you’re looking for something different, Olio Live is a fantastic audio production.
Close your eyes as you hear the poem being read. What images come to mind? What do you hear? If you’re feeling brave, consider doing a little sketching as you listen. What colors appear along the back of your eyelids? You might be amazed at how much you get out of hearing a few words.
Share it with someone
Share it with your children, your best friend, your spouse, or even your pet. Experiencing poetry together brings a shared experience that you can have conversation around. Make a cup of tea, pull out a box of crackers, enjoy one another’s company as you talk about a poem or two. Poetry is always better with a friend or two.
Start a Poetry Journal
I know this sounds daunting, but remember—poetry is not about understanding. It’s an experience. Poetry is an art. Like a masterpiece painting, a poem is meant to be interpreted by the person experiencing the words. It is likely that you will come to a poem with a different perspective than I will. And neither of us will be right. Nor will we be wrong. That’s the beauty of poetry!
You can use your notes app in your phone, or you can buy a new notebook. I love any excuse to buy a new notebook, but you do what works best for you. Copy the poem in its entirety. I prefer to write it with paper and pen, because I think our brains process things differently when we write compared to when we type, but again—do whatever works best for you!
Once you’re poem is written in your new journal, take a few minutes to jot down a few notes. Once you’re poem is written down (or typed), make a few notes about what you felt as you were writing it. Think about your senses: What do you see? Taste? Hear? Feel? Smell? Do any memories pop up? What questions do you have?
Feel whatever it makes you feel.
Perhaps the most important thing is to simply allow yourself to feel whatever it is the poem makes you feel. Sit with it for a moment or two. Allow yourself to enjoy it.
And if you don’t enjoy it, then find a new book of poetry to explore. You may not like every book of poetry. You may hate Emily Dickinson (who I love) or John Donne (who I despise). Here’s a little secret … that’s okay! There are so many books of poetry out there that you can put that book of John Donne off to the side and find a new poet to love.
Whatever you do, when you find something that you love, make sure you come back here and tell me which poem first stole your poetry heart!