Today, October 8th is National Poetry Day in the UK; an annual celebration of poetry in all its forms and styles. It is a celebration of the richness, complexity and pure beauty of the written word, and a reminder of the power and passion behind the creation process of each poem. Though it is an event primarily celebrated in the United Kingdom, National Poetry day can be celebrated anywhere in the world. It is the perfect opportunity to explore wonderful new worlds of poetry and to find one’s own voice and method to express their feelings and emotions.
In recent years, the importance of poetry and creative writing has been increasingly highlighted, especially in the education and psychological sectors. Writing is increasingly seen as a powerful tool for self-exploration, mindfulness, and trauma healing. Furthermore, education experts have suggested a few reasons to why poetry is so important for young students. According to Dr Ken Rigby, a developmental psychologist and educational assessor, research has shown that writing poetry can help with developing the language skills and creativity of young people and can also help to increase their self-esteem. Therefore, it is easy to see why poetry can be very important for children and young adults, as it can be used as a way for them to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe and refreshing manner.
While many love reading and reciting poetry, often, many find it difficult to compose their own work. Fortunately, there are initiatives like National Poetry day which can help people to begin writing as it reinforces the certainty that anyone has the potential and ability to express their ideas and thoughts in the form of a poem. The website for National Poetry day even provides helpful tips and advice to those who wish to start writing.
When it comes to National Poetry day, there are a few fun and creative ideas to help people celebrate and enjoy the day. One suggestion is to host a poetry slam, a competition between poets in which they typically perform their own work, which can often be humorous or urge others to think critically. Additionally, people can choose to write and share their own poems, or even make it a group activity, much like a creative writing group, to share and discuss their work.
Those who do not feel comfortable in writing have the option of exploring the work of their favorite poets and reading their works out-loud. This can be a great way to feel inspired and to learn more about various different poetic styles and techniques. Alternatively, people can listen to inspiring talks from well-known poets or even watch poetry performances online.
National Poetry day is not just about poetry, for it is ultimately about celebrating creativity, inspiring each other, and finding unity through shared appreciation of the written-word. This day is the perfect opportunity to seize the day and to creatively explore new poetic realms to share with others.
Exploring Different Poetic Techniques and Styles
When exploring the world of poetry, it is important to understand the various techniques and styles of writing poems. By understanding different techniques and styles, one can begin to create more meaningful and powerful poems.
The most common poetic techniques are rhythm and meter, rhyme, enjambment, caesura, and assonance. Rhythm and meter is when a poem has a noticeable and recognizable beat or meter which is often demonstrated through the use of syllables or stressed and unstressed syllables. For example, in German poetry, Meter is often referred to as “Binnenreime” which includes practices such as alliterations and rhyming couplets. Whereas in the English language, Meter is known as “Blank Verse” which consists of unrhymed lines in iambic pentameter.
Rhyme is the repetition of similar sound and is one of the most widely used techniques used in poetry, often to create emotional resonance with readers. An example of rhyme is in the children’s poem – Humpty Dumpty which states “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall” with the same vowel pronunciation being used at the end of each sentence.
Enjambment is the running on of ideas without any definite breaks between lines, often creating a rush of energy or motion. A classical example of enjambment is from the sonnet “My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like The Sun” by William Shakespeare, which states “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;/Coral is far more red than her lips’ red”.
Caesura is the intentional pause or hesitation that is inserted within a line of poetry to create an impactful effect. This is often done to provoke a certain emotion and enthusiasm in the reader. An example of caesura is seen in the poem “Ah Sunflower” by William Blake which states “Ah Sunflower! weary of time,/Who countest the steps of the Sun”, where the line “Who countest the steps of the Sun” is paused between the two pauses.
Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound within multiple words. This can be used to create a soothing and beautiful setting within the poet’s writing. An example of assonance can be seen in the poem “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe, “For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams/ Of the beautiful Annabel Lee”.
Learning Through Poetry
Learning through poetry is an effective way for children to engage with language and to enhance their reading and writing skills. Poetry teaches children important lessons about the power of words and the value of the writing process. There are numerous ways in which children can engage with poetry, from writing and reciting their own poems, to listening to the works of classic poets. This can be especially helpful for young children, as engaging with poetry can be a great way to encourage them to explore and to develop their reading, writing and language skills.
Teachers can help reinforce these ideas by introducing classic poems into their lessons and holding poetry competitions or quizzes. This can not only encourage students to learn more about the language and technique used, but it can help to develop children’s interest in reading and writing poetry. Furthermore, poetry can help to increase pupil understanding of the complexities of language such as rhyme, alliteration, rhythm and meter. Poetry can also be used to introduce and reinforce language skills such as grammar, spelling and punctuation.
By incorporating poetry into learning, children can explore different languages, cultures, and times in history. This can be especially important in primary schools as it allows young children to engage with language and culture in a fun and visual way. Poetry can often make the stories of classic writers and poets more accessible to younger children, allowing them to explore their work in a more meaningful way.
In addition, poetry can be used to discover the cultural and social history of a place or a time. This can be done by analyzing existing poems or by writing personal experiences as a poem. For example, through poetry, children can learn more about the various cultures, political ideologies, and religions of past civilisations and societies. Moreover, this can help to increase children’s understanding of the influence of language on culture and the potential impact of their own words and experiences.
The Power of Poetry in Important Social Movements
Throughout history, poets have used their art to empower, inspire, and motivate protestors during important social movements and civil rights battles. Poetry can be used to bring together people from different backgrounds and to provide a sense of commonality and understanding.
In recent years, poetry has been used to express the sentiments felt by members of minority communities to show the injustices and struggles faced by so many individuals worldwide. This can be seen in the works of Uyghur poet, Rahile Dawut, whose poetry recognised the struggles of her people, and her works have moved and encouraged many to advocate for Uyghur rights and independence.
Additionally, poetry has often been used to empower the voices of women. As the poet June Jordan wrote “we are the ones we have been waiting for”, the words of women poets have helped to emphasise the importance of a woman’s voice and to encourage women to take a stand and fight for their rights. Poetry is often used as a vehicle to express the pain of marginalised communities and to provide a space for people to connect and to feel supported by one another.
Poets often use their work to reflect on the pressing issues of the time, such as racism, homophobia, and transphobia. This can be seen in the works of Maya Angelou who wrote “Still I Rise” and Audre Lorde who wrote “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action”. These works have been used to encourage young activists to break the silence and to fight for a better equality for all.
Poetry is not only used to empower and inspire those who are affected by social injustice and inequality, it is also used to spread awareness and encourage conversations that reveal the underlying causes and effects of pressing issues in society. By reading, performing and discussing poetry by social activists, people can become better educated and more aware of the struggles faced by so many, and learn how their own words, beliefs, and ideas can make a difference.
The Role of Technology in Poetry
In recent years, technology has played a major role in the sharing, writing, and accessibility of poetry. Through the help of technology, poems can now be written and shared more easily than ever before. There are now various websites, apps, and software that can help aspiring poets with their writing process, from writing ideas and structure, to stylistic techniques and methods of self-publishing.
For example, writeahead.com is a website that encourages poets to “write yeah” and to create their own work. This website has numerous resources, tips, and tools for poets to help them create powerful, engaging, and important works. Additionally, there are numerous other websites and apps such as poetrysoup.com and rhetorique.app which offer similar resources and assistance to writers.
Harnessing the potential of technology is also helpful for poets who want to share their work and to connect with fellow poets and potential fans. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube can be used to reach wider audiences and to gain attention for their works. This is especially important for emerging poets and those who want to increase their fan base and find new ways to engage readers.
Furthermore, technology can also be beneficial for existing poets, as it can provide a platform for them to adapt their work and to reach new audiences. Whereas, for those who are more experienced and confident in their writing, technology can be a great way to experiment with genre, techniques, and structure. Additionally, through the help of technology, poets can now produce digital and interactive works such as podcasts, videos, and audios.
Conclusion
National Poetry Day is the perfect day to celebrate the power and beauty of language through the wonderful art of poetry. It is the perfect opportunity to explore different poetic techniques, styles, and ideas and to empower each other through the magic of words.
