Poetry, Going Further Than Words Can

"To be or not to be, that is the question."

This famous saying by Shakespeare, from Hamlet, is a perfect example that shows how words can communicate more than their normal and usual concept.

A typical poem actually has separate characteristics than usual words. This is evident by the fact that people have recognition of poetry in any language. A study that was done revealed that people had recognition when a person was reading poetry and when he was talking normally, even though the tests were done on poetry of a different language which was unknown to the person listening to the poem.

This is regardless of the fact that poems often rhyme, such as with limericks, poems still communicate and read differently than just a sentence.

See if you can "feel" the difference in these sentences.

My teacher Ms. Diaz is not very nice. I came to class today and she told me to be quiet, but I know that she meant "shut up." I would much rather be home sleeping.

Ms. Diaz the witch

She wants me to shut my mouth

I will not submit!

Did you notice any difference? Basically, the changes can be summed up to:

1) Poems generally say more than the words mean by themselves

2) Poems normally have some specific form

3) Poems are written in ways that people might not normally talk, unless they are acting in a drama.

But really, these rules are not set in stone. Poems actually do read differently, they are a communication of something beyond normal communication. Someone had something important enough to say that he wanted to express in a more beautiful way. Or sometimes in a more emphatic way (in the case of an angry, lonely or sad poem)

Examples:

(Haiku about breaking up)

She cheated on me

I gave her all of my love

But she barfed on me

(Haiku about having no friends)

I see them laughing

I will not go close to them

I hate those damn snobs

Poets can communicate at a higher level than a normal writer. However you will find that most good writers at least have an ability to write poetry, even if they do not do it often or do not care for it much. Any person can write a haiku, even children in elementary school as is done in many public schools as a way for kids to express themselves.

8 Reasons Why People Find Poetry Boring

Poetry is a medium that parallels to the likes of creating abstract art. Poetry, although exponentially diverse, has its share of fans and antagonists. People are quite vocal to their likes and dislikes of certain types of poetry or simply poetry overall. To like this literary medium or appreciate its composition, one must have passion for the craft, understand the aesthetics and recognize that you will not be blown away by every poem.
There are numerous types of poems and poetic forms, just as there are a variety of sports, food, beverages, board games, clothes, shoes, music, art and books. Each component of these entertainment areas will not always have admirers for their form and popularity. People will detest some elements more than others. Here are 8 common reasons why people find poetry boring:
1. Some think poetry is contrived, hard to understand and makes people think too much about the structure and point behind it.
2. Some feel that they have difficulty making a connection to poetry.
3. It's hard to identify what the big picture is with many individuals.
4. Some poetry lack substance and direction.
5. Many people hate to read and reading poetry is not on their radar or list of pleasurable or leisure things to do.
6. Many people are prone to read and enjoy other genres more, like novels, self-help, science fiction, chick lit, mysteries and thrillers over poetry.
7. The thought process among many, is that poets are too eccentric and get lost in a world that regular people cannot identify with.
8. Many poets who read poetry in a public forum or at a festival, often sound monotone, boring, look disheveled, lack personality and inflection. They are the voice of their poetry. If they lack retention and audience engagement, such is the expectancy of their poetry.
The common denominator in why people find activities like golf, playing pool or reading poetry to be boring, is a predetermined lack of interest, due to a close-minded attitude. This is simply due to mind-numbing presumptions and stereotypes of who the players and poets are, and what they do. Poetry has to exude personality and life in order to overcome what many deem as a lackluster genre. Poetry is a sensory experience that teaches how to see differently, hear intuitively, smell with sensitivity, touch meticulously and taste delightfully. It is a teaching method that awakens and challenges the senses of learning.
Yet, despite the harsh opinions of a few critics, poetry brings out the emotion, message and spirit of the poet's creation to the reader and listener. Poetry has been around since Biblical Times (hence the Psalms). To feel where a poem is steering your encounter through the eyes of the poet, you must open their book to the storyline of poetic forms and decide to either enter and explore, or simply back away from the plot.