  Poetry
This week: Fear of Poetry ~ Write Over It Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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"...the writing of poems....
the call of overhearing music that is not yet made."
Mary Kinzie, in A Poet's Guide to Poetry
I am honored to be your guest host for this edition of the WDC Poetry Newsletter
What is a Poem?
One Answer = A poem is a form of verse that alludes to, but does not tell, what it is. That's the purpose of prose (or in verse, a metaphor perchance). Maybe an article or a class lesson will tell you what to do, but a poem shows what can be. Yes, the old 'show' vs. 'tell' ~ poetry shows the image or idea envisioned by the writer of the poem.
True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,
As those move easiest who have learned to dance.
'Tis not enough no harshness gives offence,
The sound must seem an echo to the sense.
"An Essay on Criticism," Alexander Pope,
quoted in Rhyme's Reason A Guide to English Verse,
by poet and critic John Hollander.
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Poetry is the lyrical rendition of the rhythm of sight, sound, touch, taste; of living, seen through the eyes of a poet and consigned to paper and laptop and keyboard until it can be read aloud. Yes, all poetry needs to be read aloud, to savor the rhythm in the words, and revive the images the poet conscribed to the pages of a book or computer.
Poetry is a verbal snapshot of an 'otherworld,' - conveying an image of a time, a place, an event, real or created by the Muse Poetic. Reading aloud, tasting the words, continues the creative conversation, and makes the 'otherworld' real and dynamic for both the poet and the reader/speaker in an immediate way that straight prose very rarely does.
Reading aloud, poetry is meant to be spoken, a conversation between the poet and listener/reader, who each imparts his/her perception upon the images the words convey. In this way, the reader/speaker leaves his/her physical surroundings for a moment and enters the 'otherworld' of the poet. It can be as short as a 17-syllable (or less) haiku or an epic.
Then why are we afraid to admit we write poetry ~ come on, how many of us, when asked what we do, answer with "write poems" or "write poetry." Poetry today is so dynamic ~ we can choose to express the art of poetry with myriad craftsman's tools ~ forms of expression, in patterns lyric, rhythmic, a-rhythmic, which we personalize. Consider the crafting of a poem as an exercise in controlled abandon. Just like jumping into the pool or creek or stream. You may test the water with your toes but ultimately, you're going in .
And, once you're in, you swim ~ survival demands that you do so. You pull yourself along, one stroke at a time, be it in butterfly or dogpaddle style; be it on your back, your side, front kick, you swim. You find the form and adapt it to your own physical and creative ability, craftsmanship, artistry . Your dogpaddle or front crawl will not be exactly the same as another's. Your poem, with your own knowledge of words and your own perception of a time, place, idea, event, is likewise unique. You begin with your art, your vision, then craft it with the tools at hand, words, iambs, couplets, pauses, to weave a poem that recalls and reveals and engages the idea or image or place or person.
Learning the forms, the patterns, is fun. Think of the first time you pounded a nail into a piece or wood and, whether you nailed it to something or just made a cool hole, it was something you made in that moment with tools at hand. Once made, you could saw off some of the wood, or remove the nail and place a sliver in the hole. Once you write the image, the first line(s) of your poem, you do likewise, and craft it to reveal and create your art.
Crafting lyric words to reveal the rhythm of your art ~ hmm, perhaps that's another way to describe poetry. Making use of the tools at hand to create a lyric image that's unique to the moment, revealing and creating.
Consider making use of some awesome tools gathered for sharing in our Community ~ engage the craft and weave your art ~ try some of these tools and we look forward to reading aloud (yes, one fixed rule I hold for poetry = read all poems aloud!) and hearing, seeing, sensing and tasting the art you create. Don't be afraid if your nails aren't all straight, you've heard of 'poetic license.' Claim your craftsmanship and you own the 'license.'
Now, that toolbox I mentioned ~ see "Invalid Item" for starters
Have fun with the words, the images ~ the tools ~ and you will no longer fear saying "I write poems."
Write On!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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The variety of craftsmanship in form and style that awaits the poet's discerning eye ~ and ear and touch ~ you get it ~
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| |  | The road. (E)
Inspired by Edgar Poe. An entry for the copy cat contest.
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Now, having read (aloud) some vivid expressions of the art and craft of poetry ~ how about sharing yours here ~ yes, even in the challenges there is variety in form and substance
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Thanks for sharing this exploration. I'd like to share some poems that were sent along to our Newsletter in response to a prior guest appearance of mine ~ I hope you read (aloud) and shaer your perception with the poets who dared the leap ~ Write On!
From: st.ifa ~ tis is a traditional poem.i am sending it for public reviews and comments. i want it to be openly reviewed,praised criticised and commented upon. thank st.ifa
From: kymee - I see two here with a simple request to submit to the newsletter so let's go for it 
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From: Sarder ~ I would like to request you, the review of item number as 1789683, very strong and critics not for my mental satisfaction but for the satisfaction of the reality and status of my wiring, and your suggestions. I will be happy enormous your critical review. Thanking and have a nice weekend.
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From: christine31 ~ "A poem dedicated to my late "Grandma G""
Now, how about visiting also with some of our fellow Poets who engaged in my most recent exploration into the crafting of free verse
From: njames51  ~
Good newsletter about free verse. It IS more of a challenge. There is no format, no design pattern, no metered expectation. Rhyme may come and go. Line length may differ. Nothing can be forced. The poetic in free verse is allowing the reader inside a world of images, melodies and emotions so fluid and moving, that he never realizes he has finished the piece. Thanks for highlighting this form of poetry.
You express here so vividly the freedom of engaging the fluid rhythm of words and images and sounds ~ Write On!
From: AXiLeA
Thank you for the useful outline; I hear many questions on free verse and what it really is. Axilea
I'm glad our exploration was able to help you as well with the crafting of the art of free verse ~ Write On!
From: JACE 
Thanks for sponsoring my free verse offering. To be honest, I have a very hard time with free verse--this one was my first. I believe your NL may help me in this regard; thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for challenging yourself ~ and sharing the results. My first published poem, though I am uncomfortable with the form, was Free Verse ~ to figure ~ Write On! in form and style that engages that engages your Muse Creative
From: monty31802
A very well written Newsletter Kate.
Coming from you, Mentor and Muse, that means a whole lot~ Thank You
From: Black Willow
Dear Kate,
Thank you so much for including my poem in the newsletter! I am very honored! ~Dana
Thank you for sharing your vivid lyric expression ~ Write On!
From: 🌖 HuntersMoon 
Thank you Kate for selecting one of my few free-verse writes You're right - it is harder to craft something that "feels" poetic since it relies heavily on the reader. Without meter or rhyme, the placement and selection of words is critical. Thanks for a great newsletter - I've learned something and may even be tempted to try again . Well done! Ken
Thank you Kate for selecting one of my few free-verse writes  You're right - it is harder to craft something that "feels" poetic since it relies heavily on the reader. Without meter or rhyme, the placement and selection of words is critical. Thanks for a great newsletter - I've learned something and may even be tempted to try again  . Well done! Ken
Thank you for sharing the poems you've crafted with such artistry ~ Yes, please keep writing ~ I like your image of something that 'feels' poetic Write On!
From: Karen
Thank you for this informative newsletter. Yes, sometimes free verse is hard to write because its more difficult to identify it has poetry.
Free verse offers the poet an opportunity to craft lyric patterns that engage the reader with the essence of the image, idea, place, person the poet envisions. Because of the freedom, the poet's controlled abandon can really sing ~ but like the singer, sing in tune ~ Write On!
Until we next meet, fear not the words or the tools of the craft ~ engage in the art and say with pride and joy,"I Write Poems!"
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Poetry: July 13, 2011 Issue [#4497]
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