Poetry is one of the most ancient forms of communication, used to convey meaning, emotion and insight. It should come as no surprise that within this creative and expressive form lies latent lessons; taught by the rhythm, the rhyme and the crafted and deliberate use of language.
Poetry offers an opportunity to investigate what it means to be human, to expand one’s self-expression and understanding. Through reading and writing poetry we gain a greater insight into how certain words and phrases can hold more meaning, their multiple interpretations allowing for more meaningful communication.
According to Dr. Leta Doolom, a psychotherapist and college professor, poetry has the power to “open and stir our emotions.” For many, being able to express emotions, find understanding and explore new avenues of thought, can be of immense help for self-discovery and self-expression.
Dr. Doolom explains that by writing poems, people “use language to represent and explore aspects of themselves that can be difficult to express any other way.” This can lead to a better understanding of not just ourselves but of our feelings towards others, as well as the world or events around us.
In addition to being a window into the soul, poetry can be used to explore and learn about larger societal issues. Social problems, injustice and other concerns can be raised in a way that encourages introspection and empathy. Poems can offer a way to interpret and interpret the current state of our societies and communities.
There is a unique power in the way poetic lines wrap around each other to make interconnections with the human condition and its significance. Poetry has its origins in oral tradition, from which it has an ability to bring people together, either through reciting in a room or reading online.
Poet William Blake wrote about the importance of poetry as “the passionate expression of the imagination”, a view echoed by poet Sylvia Plath, who declared, “I feel some way towards making poetry a vital force again.”
Storytelling
Poetry is also a powerful storytelling tool, one that can be used to express stories and memories from the past, through to vivid images and imaginative scenes from the future. Through imagery, narrative and simile, stories can be transported and shared across generations. In this way, the stories become alive and more meaningful, as the reader follows the poet’s journey.
Haikus, for example, have a specific structure that enables the poet to create unexpected images and moments – something that not only encourages contemplation but can also spark curiosity and imagination. And by using poetry to tell stories, writers can offer a unique interpretation of the world that can influence others’ outlooks and help to impart deeply held truths and feelings that would not be possible with other forms of literature.
Using stories to explore our experiences and the way in which we interact with the world makes the sentiment conveyed more real, connecting it to the reader’s experience at a much deeper level.
Another way poetry has evolved over time is through slam poetry and spoken word. This form of poetry is an expression of identity, belonging and knowledge. Slam poetry allows poets to express themselves, to show their world and how they see and experience it, as well as how they want to portray themselves to a large audience.
Drama
Drama is another important aspect of poetry. By using language, characters, situations and narrative, poets can create powerful emotions, scenes and situations that cannot be created in any other form. Through this, poems become a powerful tool for teaching and examining morality and difficult concepts in ways that appeal to the emotions and intellect of the reader.
Perhaps one of the most captivating aspects of poetry is its use of rhythm, a key factor in engaging the reader. The repetition and complex structure of poems are integral to their impact and power. Poems can become the vehicle of knowledge, and by exploring these, we can often understand the world and ourselves better.
In their unique form, poets can create multidimensional art, a combination of captivating language, layered meaning, captivating rhythm and raw emotion. This is the ultimate aim of the poet – to engage and enthrall the reader into wanting to learn, explore and discover even more.
Metaphor
One of the most potent tools in the poet’s arsenal is the use of metaphor, a way to express a thought, feeling or idea without having to explain it directly. Because of its powerful imagery and precise language, metaphor can become a tool for communication and expression, creating vivid pictures and associations that are impossible to create through other forms of art.
By using metaphors, poets can bring the subject matter to life and make it easier to comprehend complex ideas. Through the judicious application of metaphor, basic language can become an insight into the heart, beyond the veil of the everyday and mundane.
One of the most powerful ways that poems can be used to teach is to open up a wealth of possibilities and interpretations. In this way, poetry can be used to explore many ideas and topics – offering a great tool for education and learning.
Education
Poems can be used to teach a variety of topics, from the abstract metaphysics of love to the physical mathematics of calculating distances and velocity. Through the imaginative use of words and imagery, these seemingly disparate topics can be woven together and explored in an engaging, compelling and captivating way.
As Dr. Doolom explains, “poetry is a great way to engage students in learning and exploring new ideas and concepts. Through its visuals, rhythm, and imagery, it can easily draw in students, engrossing them and encouraging them to study and think deeply about something.”
By exploring and dissecting poetry, students can come to a greater understanding of language and communication, the English language and its nuances, as well as grammar and syntax. Poetry offers a way to think about words and their power, the parts of speech and their roles, and the way syntax can be used to create meaning and emotion.
In addition to teaching students the grammatical conventions of language, poetry can also be used to examine and engage with literature, including classic and modernist works, or contemporary titles. Through the writing and reading of poetry, students can expand their understanding and appreciation of literature and the books they read.
Confidence
Through the practice of reading and writing poetry, people can become more confident in their written expression. This heightened confidence can help to tackle a wide range of other expressive tasks, such as crafting e-mails, creating presentations, or even writing resumes.
Writing and reading poems can also help to expand our understanding of language and its power. Through poetry, we can become better able to communicate and express ourselves, both verbally and in written form. Through the application of imagination, creativity and emotion, we can become powerful communicators and advocates, not just for ourselves, but for those around us as well.
Moreover, by sharing our work with others, we can learn about ourselves in more fearless and valuable ways, allowing for more meaningful interaction with people and the world around us.
Creativity
The practice of reading and writing poetry can also help to spark creativity in all areas of life. By learning and mastering various forms of poetry, as well as understanding their various applications, poets can become more inventive and imaginative when it comes to tackling day-to-day issues.
By considering his or her own understanding in the context of larger questions, the poet can become better equipped to think outside the box and explore new pathways. Likewise, the creative freedom that comes with poetry can open the poet to the possibility of becoming more adventurous, taking risks and making brave decisions.
Poetry also has a powerful transformative effect, enabling poets to make sense of their own experiences, as well as external events and interests. Through poetry, our life stories can become less daunting and more meaningful, stemming from both within and outside of ourselves.
Transformation
Most crucially, poetry allows us to reflect, process and understand our thoughts and beliefs. By using metaphors and exploring our own life stories, the process of writing a poem can allow us to transform our ideas and journey through life in a more meaningful way.
By practicing yoga, meditation, reading poetry and writing, people have been able to use the written word as a liberating force for self-reflection as a form of self-discovery, taking on new perspectives, breaking apart preconceptions and learning to view events from different angles.
By exploring and investigating our thoughts and ideas on paper, we can learn to check in with ourselves, our feelings and our goals in life, become more reflective and creative, offering a form of resilience and understanding.
Poetry, then, is an ever-evolving field of knowledge and skill, offering an avenue in which to explore and express the self, build confidence and creativity, educate and engage, and ultimately, transform our lives.
