Why we read poetry
It's National Poetry Month! Why do we read (or NOT read) poems? Please respond on the discussion page:
Also, watch the screencast on Billy Collins’s “Introduction to Poetry.”
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Happy national poetry month to you too! I think there’s a lot of reasons why we read poetry. I think people read poetry to understand history. Poetry an specific time period can give you a feel of the Joy and accomplishment or the affliction. I also think people read poetry because poetry can be a expression of how one feels and sometimes reading how the other people feel helps solve some of the inner term oils in us or atleast see it. I also think people may not read poetry because they haven’t really found poetry that appeals to them. Like for example sometimes school forces us to read books to read we may not be interested in (never in your class tho) but you can’t assume all books are un-interesting. Plus, in my opinion this generation doesn’t have much of a value for words or expression unless it’s in popular music.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if people read poems to see the beauty in the world. Poems give us an easy way to see the good. The author did all of the hard work for us in finding or recognizing the beauty. Poems can also help us look different at objects that we do not think about anymore. They give us a second meaning.
ReplyDeleteI think one reason people read poetry is because they enjoy it. Many people find poetry calming and beautiful. Some people read poetry only because they have to like for a school assignment. Some people don’t read poetry because they don’t enjoy it. Some people don’t read poetry because they think it’s bad even though they’ve never read it before just for enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteI think many people read poetry is because of its ability to always have a deeper meaning. You can just unpack a poem infinitely, and dig into all of its nooks and crannies. Poems are also a form of gaining knowledge. You can learn things about the author, or maybe WW2, or Math, and everything in between! They are also very versatile, and the words don't have to confine to just one story, like a book, they can tell multiple tales within one poem! But ultimately, poems bring out joy in people, and they are simply fun to read!
ReplyDeleteI think people read it either for enjoyment and the feeling of something deep often surfaces when reading a poem. It gives a sense of enlightenment and makes people feel empowered sometimes. It's also the way a lot of things uses to be written because of its vagueness. On the other hand people think it's boring or useless and only do it for school.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry because it makes them feel connected and understood. Oftentimes, people see their own emotions reflected in poems which makes them feel understood. There's usually not a 'right' way to interpret a poem, which is why all sorts of people can forge a connection with the same one. Essentially, poetry brings people together through its diversity and versatility.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry because it is a way to connect with others, both the writer and other readers. Poetry is an art that turns emotions, thoughts, and ideas into beautiful words and phrases, and this allows people to relate to whatever idea is in the poem. Poetry is also a good way to find and spread new ideas.
ReplyDelete-Anya C.
DeleteI think that people read poetry to entertain themselves, but also to gain an understanding of other perspectives. Poetry shows what the author thinks about something, or what the author thinks other people think about something, and knowing perspectives other than your own is a valuable thing.
ReplyDeleteI think that people read poetry because they are intrigued by it. Different people see poems in different ways, which is unique compared to other types of literature, where there is one intended meaning. I think that this leads people to try and see the poem in other ways than they initially saw it, but the more they reread it, the less clear it becomes.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry because sometimes a poem of just a few lines can give you a deeper understanding then a long book or essay. Also a poem could be interpreted many different ways and that gives you a stronger connection to the subject you translated it as.
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes people do not read poems because they don’t provide a clear answer. A book will usually set up a story in a traditional way, providing an ending that feels right with a reader. Poetry is interpreted in many ways, and there may be a story, or there may not be. People often say that they don’t like to read poems, but poetry just has to be looked at as very different from other types of literature.
ReplyDeleteI think people write poems to express themselves in a deeper way and with words that capture their emotion in a different way. I think that people could have difficulty understanding the meaning behind these words even tho they can be so clear to the writer. Although in most cases their feelings can be stated in a much simpler way it shows how feelings and emotions can be complex. Overall I think poetry is just a way of expressing complex feelings to the reader even if it’s not clear.
ReplyDeleteI’m generally not much of a reader. When I do pick up a book it’s either because I have to or it somehow interests me- and even then I skim it a bit to decide whether I really want to spend time on it. I know it sounds insensitive but I just don’t get the point of poetry. Poems just never interested me for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI think that in poems, people can see themselves. Poems are very good at capturing feelings, ideas, moods, moments. People may read poems for affirmation of their feelings, or to help express them or realize the,; maybe you found a poem that speaks to you, one you find meaningful, or a poem that speaks /for/ you, one that expresses how you feel better than you could yourself.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes people choose not to read poetry is because they feel that if they read a poem they have to gain some deeper understanding from it instead of just reading the poem for their own enjoyment
ReplyDeleteI feel that sometimes people don’t like to read poems because they feel like they can get more of the full story, and a bigger/deeper, easier to understand meaning from a larger body of text. I feel like they can think that poetry is just shorter writings that automatically are supposed to mean something greater just because a poet wrote it, that the poet must’ve picked their words even more carefully than the average author. I don’t know, maybe sometimes people think poetry is overrated because of all that, so they choose to read an “actual” book instead.
ReplyDeleteI think poetry is a fantastic way for people to express themselves. It can have such a deep meaning with what you are trying to convey. It’s a way of talking about yourself freely, and it’s beneficial to people. For example, people in the music industry often say that when they were young, they wrote poems because of the ideas they they wanted to include in their future songs. There are many more real life examples, but that is the one that stands out to me the most. Overall, I think poetry is a way of making your voice heard through the power of writing.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry to gain a deeper understanding of a topic or subject. Although for some people it is difficult to interpret and/or understand what the author is trying to say, causing them not not enjoy reading poetry.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry to find out more about a specific topic, without being handed the answers. To explore how they interpret a perhaps controversial topic. People might shy away from reading poems if they don't know what to make of them or how to interpret them since they are often more metaphorical than novels, and don't have concrete stories and endings.
ReplyDeletei think that people read poems because they are usually rather condensed, and therefore usually pack a lot of meaning and emotion in little text. I myself don't read much poetry other than for English class, though I don't dislike analyzing the poems we do read. I think it's because I prefer longer stories with more plot and change.
ReplyDeleteI think that people read poems because it is a different way to see something that means a lot to a person. Poems are also easier to read having a rhyme scheme or a way to use syllables to express a message in a short piece. It is something that a person can remember throughout their lives that can impact their decisions.
ReplyDeleteI think that people read poetry to see the world from the poet’s perspective and gain a new perspective on something or a new appreciation for something they previously didn’t understand. Poems are also easier to read as they are often shorter than books and more entertaining than an essay.
ReplyDeleteI think that many people choose not to read poems simply because reading to read a poem, you need to be constantly looking for a deeper meaning, which one might need to do less of in a novel. Also, a poem can be interpreted in many different ways, possibly making it more difficult for the reader to see the authors intention.
ReplyDeleteI think poetry is a way to express how your feeling or write about a topic by being somewhat indirect. A lot of times in poetry there are hidden meanings or similes or metaphors which causes the reader to truly think about what they’re reading.
ReplyDeleteI don't really read a lot of poetry. I didn't think that it was interesting enough to actually get into. I never really understood the point of poetry and how people really liked it so much.
ReplyDeleteI think that many people don't read poetry because they don't understand it. In some cases, it can sound very different from everyday speech, which can confuse people. Also, when you read poetry you have to be looking for the hidden message or underlying tones, which while interesting, can be tiring when you just want to relax.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry because it brings a different side of literature to read, and it embraces a creative side of people. In my opinion it also requires less attentiveness, so you can kick back more with a poem than say, with a novel.
ReplyDeleteI think people don't usually read poems because they typically don't have a concrete plot to follow. It's often hard to follow because it's meant to be interpreted differently by different individuals.
ReplyDeleteI think people enjoy poetry because even though it’s short and condensed, there is a deeper meaning. People don’t like poetry because sometimes it’s hard to interpret/understand what the meaning is. -Angelica
ReplyDeleteI think that people read poetry because it is a beautiful and unique way of conveying a message. Poetry is a way to express deeper thoughts in a way that’s different from what can be told in other types of writing. One nice thing about poetry is it can be interpreted in many different ways. It can be subjective such that the readers interpretation is influenced by their own personal experiences and opinions.
ReplyDeleteWe read poetry because it helps us understand the significance of words. It also helps us understand and appreciate the world around us. While poems are often shorter than stories and books they can teach us even more with fewer words. The simplicity of poetry gives us a chance to ask questions and spark curiosity.
ReplyDeletePoetry is used in many different areas of our lives that we sometimes don't acknowledge. Poetry is very important because it is the basis for a lot of music that has singing in it, as well as being able to teach us very important life lessons while also using pleasing rhyming and fun patterns.
ReplyDeleteI think that people should read poetry because when you read it you can find it very interesting, it tells you the beauty or ugliness of the world. Each one of them are different, if you think about it they are like humans, everyone have a secret that lies within the words. And I think it’s fun to find those secrets.
ReplyDeleteI myself don’t often read poetry but when I do, I often see the beauty of it. The words are carefully crafted so that it isn’t taken a wrong way. It’s an art form that expresses even the ugliest of feelings in a semi-pretty way. People also can connect their experiences to those of the poems which make poems another way for humans to connect.
ReplyDeleteI feel like poetry is a way for people to put emotions into words which is why it feels so personal.
ReplyDeletePoetry can be interpreted in many different ways too and can ask questions. Analytical essays also ask questions and prove points but what makes poetry different is it’s from a place of emotion not facts.
I think that people read poems because they can connect to the poem and relate to what is being said. Writers share their perspective of a topic through poems and illustrate their ideas in a way that isn't direct. This allows readers to interpret it in a personal way. But I think that this same reason is why people don't read poetry. It can be ambiguous and complex, which doesn't appeal to some people.
ReplyDeletePoetry can be enjoyable, loosely interpreted, and it allows for a way to creatively show intimate thoughts and emotions in memorable and relatable ways. However, people might also not read poetry because it has the potential for endless complexity (it can be full with allusions and outdated word choice) and can be confusing.
ReplyDeletePeople read poetry because it has a lot different ways to be interpreted and is not always direct. Poetry requires deeper thought to understand its full meaning. It is often shorter than reading a long novel and the words are carefully chosen. It can bring out different feelings in people and help their understanding of something. Some people may not enjoy reading poetry because it can be confusing to interpret and difficult to understand.
ReplyDeleteWe should read poetry because it helps us improve ideas. It can also help us feel different emotions. Reading poetry can also improve your vocabulary. An advantage is that poetry can be short, so you won't have to concentrate for a really long time. Most of all poetry, can help you understand the writer, understand people, and understand yourself.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry for a variety of reasons that are unique to each individual. A reason some people may find poetry to be an intriguing medium is that they may feel as though the poem puts their own feelings into words they could not conjure themselves. The words are also open to interpretation in a way that creates an interesting symbolic dialogue between what the writer intended to convey, and what the reader decides to envision in return.
ReplyDeleteI think that people read poetry, because many poems offer bite sized pieces of emotion and many force you to think more than if you were just reading something as literal as a book. Poems offer a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of a writer, and they are vague enough that you can't usually shrug it off, you have to think about it. Many people don't like poetry for this exact reason, they would rather not have to think so hard just to understand what they are reading.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry because it can give insight to how others think, feel, and see the world. Different people may interpret the same poem differently, and I think that’s what makes us readers think thoughtfully and deeply about the ideas expressed by the writer. People can connect to the emotions expressed between the lines of poetry, which is why I think people enjoy reading poems.
ReplyDeletePeople can read poetry for something to think about in a way they’ve never thought about it before. It can be relaxing and interesting and also very thought-provoking in the many ways poems can be interpreted to learn a lesson or realize something the reader hadn’t realized before.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry to calm themself, and to interpret writing through a new perspective. This way they can learn more from a peom compared to conventional writing, allowing the reader to perceive a deeper meaning from the writing.
ReplyDeletePoetry is an art. It is one avenue that an author can use to express themselves--their feelings and ideas. Additionally, poetry is a form of writing that usually has a rhythm to it, which can make poetry enjoyable to read. Perhaps the best thing about poetry is that the message is largely up to the reader's interpretation. Being able to take what one wants away from the poem is empowering, however it can also be viewed as confusing and since it's not always right to the point, many people don't read it.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason some people don’t like reading poetry is because it is more open for interpretation as it’s up to the reader to notice some of the figurative language and what it could mean, and this might scare people away or confuse them.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poetry to gain a deeper understanding of a topic and also as an escape. Poetry can provide a completely different point of view on a topic. It has a way of transporting you through the story it tells. A poem has a lot of meaning that can change your views.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason many people don't read poems is because they can seem intimidating to unpack. They aren't as straightforward as people are used to with TV and movies today. In contrast, many people DO read poetry to gain a new perspective and to really put thought into a topic or idea.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion people read poems for many reasons, whether to understand an idea or simply for entertainment. But as for not reading them, I think it is that there is an idea of poetry being confusing, or sometimes uninteresting or boring, which can be true, but is likely more a matter of not finding the poems that appeal to one's own personal taste.
ReplyDeleteI think people read poems because it lightens up their mood, and opens up their mind with new metaphors and explanations. I also think that every poem can have a connection to the reader, and makes the reader want to compare themselves to the poem. Those are my reasons to why people like reading them.
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