Introduction to ‘Don’t Read Poetry’
‘Don’t Read Poetry’, is a book written by John Simmons and published in 2019, intended to be a guide to help readers better understand reading poems. The author aims to provide readers with an understanding of the history and purpose of poetry, as well as tools and techniques to be effectively and appreciatively read.
Background and History of Poetry
The earliest forms of poetry have been found in ancient civilizations, such as those in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Poetry has been passed down for generations, transcending time and taking on more intricate forms. From oral traditions to books, poetry can be found in many forms. Through its development, poetry has become a universal language, appealing to diverse cultures and societies around the world.
In his book, ‘Don’t Read Poetry’, John Simmons dives deep into the history and origins of Poetry, exploring its different forms and its development from ancient times until present day.
Understanding and Interpreting Poetry
Poems can often be confusing, abstract services of words and imagery, leaving many readers with difficulty fully understanding their context and purpose. In ‘Don’t Read Poetry’, Simmons provides readers with tools to understand and interpret the poems they’re trying to read. This includes approaches to reading that are suitable for first-time or experienced readers, helping them to meaningfully engage and appreciate poetry.
As well as understanding the literal meaning of words, Simmons encourages readers to draw upon their emotional connection to a poem, its accompanying images and atmospheres, as well as the cultural and social contexts from which the poem is drawn from.
Different Forms of Poetry
Through ‘Don’t Read Poetry’, readers can deepen their understanding of how to effectively read poetry. From sonnets to haiku and ghazals to ballads, Simmons has compiled an extensive list of the various forms of poetry, and how they should be read to gain the most appreciation of the poem.
By exploring different forms, readers of ‘Don’t Read Poetry’ can begin to develop an understanding of the building blocks of poems. This includes understanding the conventions of each form, and the specific guidelines each style demands.
Development of Poetic Language
Simmons also dives deeper into understanding the mechanics and linguistic elements of poetry, such as the concepts of metre and rhythm, as well as rhyme and assonance. All these can help the reader to more deeply appreciate poetry and better understand each poem’s structure, style, sound and purpose.
By exploring these elements, Simmons encourages readers to gain greater exposure of the craft of writing, which can in turn lead to them becoming more engaged and confident when reading poetry.
The Art of Reading Poetry
In ‘Don’t Read Poetry’, Simmons encourages the reader to be an active reader and an open-minded listener. Through this, the reader can give themselves the opportunity to find their own interpretation and meaning of a poem, therefore allowing them to gain a deeper connection with it, and appreciate its universality.
Simmons has also provided readers of ‘Don’t Read Poetry’ with suggested poems to read, accompanied by tips and exercises which can help them to become more engaged readers of poetry.
Elements of Poetry
In ‘Don’t Read Poetry’, readers can explore the basic structure of a poem, such as the use of stanzas, imagery, figures of speech, assonance and alliteration. Through this, Simmons aims for readers to become more aware of each element, helping them to gain understanding and appreciate the poetic language used.
Alongside this, Simmons’ book provides further specific tools to help readers build an appreciation of the language of poetry, such as employing onomatopoeia, metaphor and personification. All these elements can be used to engage the reader in the poem, sparking the imagination and creative engagement.
Metaphorical Power of Poetry
In ‘Don’t Read Poetry’, Simmons emphasises the power of metaphor found within poems, and how it can be used to interpret and connect with a poem in a different way. Through metaphor, readers can draw connections between the poem’s literal meaning and its accompanying imagery, deepening their understanding of the poem itself.
By using metaphors, Simmons encourages the reader to mine for meaning beneath the surface of the poem’s words, helping the reader to better uncover the emotion behind the structure of the poem.
Analysis of Poetry
Simmons explains the essentials of poetry analysis, such as the importance of context and how words can have different levels of meaning. In his book, he also focuses on developing an understanding of the poet, and their personal, political and cultural context, to help enhance the appreciation of the poem.
Ultimately, through ‘Don’t Read Poetry’, Simmons hopes to inspire readers to explore the beauty of poetry. He provides an extensive set of tools and techniques that can help the reader to effectively appreciate poetry, both on its surface level, and on a deeper level of analysis and emotion.
