“What if there were no poetry? What if all life were prose?
Some people wouldn’t mind. One friend told me her son didn’t know how to do imaginative play. He lined up his action figures and then shrugged and walked away. He didn’t know what else to do. Poetry gives you an idea of what to do, or at least the idea that something more can be done.”
Megan Willome, “The Joy of Poetry” p. 138
When I mention to people that I’m reading a book of poetry the response is often, “I’m not into poetry. I just don’t get it.”
If I tell them I WRITE poetry, they look at me as if I said I ate blue crayons for breakfast and quickly change the subject.
I just finished reading Megan Willome’s user-friendly volume
“The Joy of Poetry” (TSPoetry Press) and I can say with confidence—this book introduces poetry in a way that will make you swear off eating crayons forever—and might entice you towards a richer life of reading what you’ve been missing all this time.
The next to last chapter is my favorite, aptly titled, “Why Poetry?” Willome (pronounced, ‘willow-me’) illuminates the answers to this question beautifully. Here are the reasons that spoke to me (in no particular order):
1) Why poetry? For Kinship—when a writer shines a light on something that speaks to you, there is a connection, an ‘aha! I get that’ feeling. Poets, in their succinct style, pack a lot of meaning into fewer words; many of those words go straight to our heart.
Illustration: Willome weaves the story of her mother’s very long bout with cancer and the last years of her life struggling with the disease. Megan and Merry Nell’s relationship was not all sweetness and light during this time; I can relate. My own mother died of cancer very young (55, I was only 33) and we also had some rough edges in the way we related to each other in her last few years.
Two lines in Megan’s poem ‘Blue Moon’ are underlined and circled in my book:
“we talk as only mothers and daughters can—
Speech as rocky as the lunar surface.”
There’s a kinship woven into those words.
2) Why poetry? For Delight—Certainly you’ve read Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” or something by Shel Silverstein? These delight in their nonsensicality (yes, I made that up). Willome mentions a yoga class and a discovery of the delight of ‘poetry’ in her instructor’s directions as she uses metaphors to illustrate different poses. There are so many poems I’ve read that just plain leave me smiling—they’re accessible, readable, relatable, beautiful. Poems can delight us in simple ways.
Illustration: My Seattle friend Jennifer Wagner
(who blogs at Poet Laundry) posted these lines the other day—my heart soared right along with the words, delighting in her wordborne images:
Yes, little one,
there are mountains.
And storms.
And rain.
But, oh, the
berries,
nectar,
sky.
© 2016 Jennifer Wagner
3 3 ) Why poetry? For its limitations—truly. Boundaries are a good thing. Willome states, “Whether a poem is following a form or whether it’s expressing an idea or a story in a condensed format, its narrowness gives breadth.” I am more of a free verse writer when it comes to poetry; disdaining ‘form’ as too constricting. But as anyone knows who has played a sport, rules provide freedom (and sometimes a win.) Sometimes being confined with form forces better words to the surface. (Psalm 16:6 comes to mind about boundaries).
Illustration: In Fall, 2016 I co-lead a writer’s workshop with a friend who helped us get over our poemic fears by modeling two particular poetry forms–the sonnet and pantoum.
In a pantoum, lines repeat in a distinct pattern, made easier for us by a little worksheet from my friend KC Ireton. The task was a little intimidating, but we all put our hearts into it. The results were lovely and empowering. Kimberlee had copied and cut out hundreds of words to assist us in the process.
Here’s my pantoum, inspired by leading worship
Water Carriers
inside, two friends bend hearts towards God
stops and starts, voices raised, a daring duo
strums and strings bring songs alive
while the Holy Spirit sings His song over you
stops and starts, voices raised, a daring duo
carrying water for thirsty souls
while the Holy Spirit sings His song through you
deep channels, delivering life via verse and tone
carrying water for thirsty souls
this, the joy of completing His song
channeling life via verse and voice and tone
inside, two friends bend hearts toward God.
4) Why poetry? You might as well ask, ‘why chocolate?’
Willome’s response begs the question–in other words, why seek joy, why dance a jig, why smile? or…
“Why drive along a country road on a sunny day with the windows down and the music up? Why green tea with fresh mint from the farmer’s market? Why dogs?”
Why, indeed. Willome sums up her treatise well.
“Why poetry? For nothing. Here’s a secret: poetry is useless. So are a lot of wonderful things… We don’t need poetry–which is exactly why we need it.”
~~~~
You can find Megan’s blog
here. Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Thank you, Jody. What a delight it was last fall to finally meet you face to face!
Glenda, you should try again….this book in particular is part memoir–Megan's discussion of her mom's cancer–and part about the power of poetry to help heal. I think you'd like it.
I have never enjoyed poetry and my kids always laughed at me when I tried to read it to them.
Should I try again, Jody?
Fondly,
Glenda
I can tell you breathe poetry! Thanks for your kind words and sharing my link on the interwebs.
Thanks for this, Jody. Poetry is like breathing to me! To encourage other communicators for Christ to give it a try, I'll highlight your post on The Word Center blog – https://thewordcenter.co/ God bless you, and may the poetry abound!
Nancy, I like your descriptor, “thought explosions created with just a few words.” Yes, the presence of God's creative spirit was rich that afternoon, soaking in poetry. Indeed. So glad you were there!
Poetry may be useless, but I hate to think of a world without it! How sad to live in a world without thought explosions created with just a few words. (Jennifer Wagner's “Soar” is a perfect example.) How bland to live in a world where words are never woven together in surprising ways–like your pantoum. (I'll always remember the electric atmosphere of the Guild Library as a dozen women stretched their writing-wings and produced astounding poetry–with your inspiration and Kimberlee's direction!)
I did,indeed, Jennifer, you will find lots to like in “The Joy of Poetry.” I'm happy to share one of your lovely pieces here. Your poems always inspire.
Ahhhh, yes, long may she write. Long live poetry! Thanks, Laurie.
Thank you, L.L. Trying the pantoum form did indeed show me what is doable…there is often a 'win' with the rules.
I would agree–I hope “The Joy of Poetry” IS a beginning for many people. You have paved the way well–it was a joy to share your book here in this space.
I think pantoums are a great form for the form-challenged because you don't have to rhyme–only repeat.
Thanks so much for this, Jody! And I'm so happy you included two poems, one from a friend and one of your own. This book shouldn't be an end but a beginning, and you showed the way right here.
What a delightful post, Jody. And I think you should give form a second chance. Look at that pantoum! It really freed you into something lovely. 🙂
I just finished Megan's book this week and am so glad you're singing her praises here. Long may she write! Thanks, Jody. 🙂
I am so looking forward to getting her book. I'm so happy you enjoyed my poem!