Etymology of the Word
The word “poetry” has had a lot of different meanings through the centuries. Its roots trace back to the Ancient Greek term poiētikḗ, which derived from the verb poiē (meaning to “make”). By the Middle Ages, the term was used to refer to “the making of words and their arrangement in verse.” Even older definitions of the term referred to a “skill in making or inventing anything.” Over time, the word poetry took on a more abstract meaning related to verbal composition and its emotional impact. As University of Wisconsin-Madison professor David Cashman notes, “It came to mean a particular kind of verbal art, and people began to talk about the ‘poetry’ of language and the ‘poetry’ of imagery in visual art.”
Defining Poetry
What makes a work of writing a poem and how does one spell poetry? According to poet and literary theorist Paul Muldoon, “A poem is a set of words which, within a defined structure, is meant to convey beauty, emotion, or both.” This definition suggests that poetry is characterized by an aesthetic form that includes both artful language and a specific arrangement, or structure.
At its most basic, the term poetry uses the same spelling as the activity or form of writing it describes: poe-tree. While variations of the spelling, such as poa-tree or po-tree, occur, the traditional spelling is poe-tree, which comes out as “poe-tri” when spoken aloud. The etymology of the word also helps inform its spelling: the suffix “-try” denotes “a thing made,” perfect for a form of language so closely linked to “making” words.
Exploring the Benefits of Poetry
In addition to providing pleasure and insight, poetry can also offer a unique way to explore the human condition. Through metaphors and images, poetry helps create connection and foster understanding within and across cultures. According to Allen Curnow, a renowned New Zealand poet, the purpose of poetry is “to give some sense of the shape of life, to extend our knowledge of ourselves and the world around us, to show us in what ways we are connected with each other, and to sharpen our awareness of the many potentialities of life.”
By gaining access to new perspectives and fresh insights, we can gain an enhanced understanding of our own lives as well as the lives of others. Reading and writing poetry can offer an important opportunity to reflect on our own experiences and explore alternative ways of understanding the world.
Learning Poetry Through Different Practices
If you want to learn more about poetry, there are many ways to do it. For one, you can attend a course, seminar, or workshop. You can also read books about poetry—from how-to guides to anthologies of classic and contemporary works.
Alternatively, you can explore experimentation with poetry. You don’t have to adhere to existing rules and conventions—instead, try writing poetry with your own voice. Experiment with different forms, rhythms, and topics. Have fun and use poetry as an opportunity to explore and express yourself.
Business of Poetry: Technology and Markets
The concept and practice of poetry has also evolved with technologies and markets. Technology has enabled poets to amplify their writing on a global scale, while new markets in the form of poetry books and festivals have emerged, enabling poets to monetize their work.
More recently, social media and apps have become popular platforms for poets to interact and engage with a wider range of readers. The availability of technology has made it easier for poets to make their work accessible to a global community.
Spoken Word
The latest trend in poetry has been spoken word, a form of performance poetry that combines the use of words, emotions, and body language. Spoken word uses an artful mix of words to tell stories, express ideas, and engage with audiences. It’s often done in an open mic format, where people take turns to get up on a stage and share their work with a room of people in a spontaneous, improvisational way. It’s also becoming a popular form of entertainment, with poetry slams, rap battles, and other competitions.
Spoken word is a powerful way to spread messages around policy, society, and culture. It can be used as a tool for social justice movements, creating change through positive vibrations and new narratives. Some poets travel the world to speak at events where they can collaborate, network, and learn from like-minded individuals.
Unconventional Forms of Poetry
In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of other, less conventional forms of poetry including haikus, found poetry, blackout poetry, and erasure poetry. By challenging the traditional forms of poetry, these nontraditional styles can help poets explore different ways of expressing themselves and their thoughts.
Haikus, for example, offer a way to compress emotion and experience into just three lines. Found poetry uses words and phrases found in custom texts to create something new. Blackout poetry allows poets to take existing texts, such as books, newspaper articles, and magazines, and highlight words or phrases to create a poem. Erasure poetry is another way to liberate literature by removing words to reveal a different narrative.
Political and Activism Movements
Through their use of words, poets have the power to bring awareness and attention to particular issues. Political and activism movements have used poetry as a way to protest injustice, as well as to bring attention to particular causes. In addition to providing an important platform for expression, reading and sharing poetry is also a way for people to build solidarity and community.
Poetry has a long history of being a powerful and effective tool for grief and healing, both for individuals and the wider community. Through meaningful and creative expression, poetry can help to create a powerful shape for language to bring about change.
Creativity, Imagination, and Inspiration
At the end of the day, the spellings of any word are usually up to the speaker or writer’s preference. Creative license is a privilege that can be exercised while writing, so while poe-tree will typically be accepted, imaginative versions such as poe-tea, pow-tree, and puh-tree can be used to provide a different perspective.
Ultimately, spelling and the shape of words are only part of the equation—it’s what we do with those words that have the most impact on our lives. Poetry is a timeless art form, and it continues to inspire us and move us in profound ways. Thoughtfully crafted words can have the power to call us to action, rearrange our perspectives, and open us up to our own creativity, imagination, and inspiration.
