This week: Protest Poetry - Your Voice, Your Power Edited by: Speedy's mom  
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| According to Wikipedia, Poetry (from the Greek word poiesis, "making") is a form of literary art that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, literal or surface-level meanings. Thank you for reading this NL. |
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Protest poetry or poetry used to voice opposition or express dissent or commentary on social issues, has a long history, dating back to pre-historic societies. Let's explore what it is and how it's written.
I recently read an article/interview entitled "Poetry as protest: When people are powerless for so many hundreds of years, language becomes a weapon" and it sparked an interest in me to learn more about the form. The type of poem that resonates and affects me the most is poetry that evokes empathy or anger. Two ends of the spectrum I know, but it's true. Protest poetry is a perfect example of this. While it began long before, protest poetry found a wide audience in the 19th century when poets used their voices to highlight their opposition to war, poverty, and injustice. It has continued in the 20th century to speak out about racism, oppression, and social inequality. It has even evolved into spoken word performances.
The words that a poet chooses should make us feel emotion. Feelings will move a reader in stronger ways than just being told something verbally or reading a news article on the same subject. They need to be chosen wisely because as you know, if someone talks down to you or preaches at you, it can have the opposite effect. The poet needs to strike a balance in this form to engage the audience while balancing the confrontational nature of the form. The idea is to engage your audience beneath the surface and provoke thought through an emotional connection. Some say it reminds us of our common humanity and our interconnectedness to the world. If written in the right voice, protest poetry allows the reader to identify with the author's position and join in their story, even if only for a moment. It may even inspire them to rise up as well.
In a world teeming with injustice, it is more urgent than ever to read (and write) poetry that engages with social realities and inequities. Poetry, as Audre Lorde memorably stated, “is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of light within which we can predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change”.
The quote above is from another article entitled "Poetry as a Unifying Weapon" and it shares an important point. When you feel moved by something, or angered by something, it is a perfect time to channel that feeling into a poem. Maybe you can't protest, perhaps you feel powerless. You're not. Your voice is your power. Use your POWETRY! Okay, maybe that sounds dumb but hopefully you get my point.
Examples of powerful poems:
Dylan Thomas, 'The Hand That Signed the Paper'
This is a socio-political war protest poem that demonstrates contempt for the apathy and ruthlessness of the ruling class against ordinary citizens.
The hand that signed the treaty bred a fever,
And famine grew, and locusts came;
Great is the hand that holds dominion over
Man by a scribbled name.
W. H. Auden, 'Epitaph on a Tyrant'
This piece is another political poem that assesses the career and psychology of a dictator in a satirical, dry tone.
Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after,
And the poetry he invented was easy to understand;
He knew human folly like the back of his hand,
Audre Lorde, 'Power'
This poem is a passionate piece that takes on racism, oppression, and specifically police brutality.
The difference between poetry and rhetoric
is being ready to kill
yourself
instead of your children.
Maxine Kumin, 'Woodchucks'
This poem is an extended metaphor that describes how a person in power can gradually descend into psychotic rage and justify murder.
The food from our mouths, I said, righteously thrilling
to the feel of the .22, the bullets’ neat noses.
I, a lapsed pacifist fallen from grace
puffed with Darwinian pieties for killing,
now drew a bead on the little woodchuck’s face.
He died down in the everbearing roses.
Protest poetry is a necessary and powerful response to crisis and injustice. Why not try your hand at writing a poem that recognizes a social issue or other topic you are feeling strongly about?
1. Choose a purpose or key message for your poem
2. Research your topic to learn more about different views.
3. Choose a form or a poetic device (or multiple) to utilize
4. Make sure you use powerful language that evokes emotion in your poem
5. Use a tone that creates impact and provokes a call to action from your readers
6. Edit and polish your poem to ensure it conveys the depth you intended
7. Share it with us!
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I've chosen some powerful poems to share this month. Please take a moment to visit these fellow members and share your opinion by leaving them a review.
"Bloody Halos and Porcelain Chains" from "The Lie Within The Line" [18+] by Jeremy 
Martyrs in mansions
victims with crowns,
weeping for wounds they've never bore.
"Hidden Bruises" [E] by Sumojo 
Outside the home. Upon the streets,
Old ladies he assists.
He’s nice to everyone he meets
His personality he twists.
"Run From the Devil" [18+] by Jayne 
Blessed be the little children who meet you at the gates;
Backed by a vengeful, wrathful God with a propensity for hate,
If you think the Son will save you, then I can hardly wait
For Him to take your ass to church and preach without restraint.
"Death’s Spell" [E] by DMCarroll 
Shallow,
Hallow,
Bold and blight,
Storms rage beyond the wall.
"Light’s Labor Lost" [E] by ChristineB 
The glistening rain shower, the thunder outside
The calm expectation it would be ok this time
Since it has been more fine with lines underground
To the point where thunder is just a distracting sound.
"Motherhood, Lost " [13+] by Robin:TheRhymeMaven
She’s sought
to live a leech’s life;
distraught
as both a mom and wife.
She shames
with condescending tones;
she blames
the world while casting stones. |
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Poetry: March 26, 2025 Issue [#13035]
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