Ancient Times
Poetry has been around since ancient times. The origins of written poetry are believed to have been first crafted by the Ancient Sumerians in Mesopotamia around 2000 BC. From the invention of cuneiform writing, Sumerian poetry was discovered on clay tablets in the form of lyrical love poems. The poetry of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an early and important collection of Sumerian Mythology, is widely regarded as the first recorded epic poem and is known for its themes of courage, friendship, and mortality.
In ancient Greece, the use of poetry was seen as an important cultural and spiritual pursuit. The Greek leader, Homer, is credited with creating a pair of the most significant pieces of poetry, the Iliad, and the Odyssey. His works explored the concept of heroism, morality, and government.
In the years that followed, the Roman and Assyrian Empires saw a surge in poetic production. Virgil, Gallus, and Ovid are famously known for using the works of their predecessors as an inspirational source. Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, even held a competition to reward his favorite poets.
Renaissance to the 19th Century
In the 15th century, poetry spread to Europe and the Renaissance period saw a rise in the production of literary works. During this time, William Shakespeare and other Renaissance poets such as Sir Thomas Wyatt, Sir Philip Sidney, and many more found innovative and creative ways to use poetic forms.
The period from the 18th to the 19th century marked the beginning of the Romantic period, with works from Goethe, Wordsworth, and Coleridge leading the way in exploring themes of nature, love, and freedom.
The Romantics often used traditional poetic forms such as the sonnet, but some poets experimented with form, creating a new language and conventions, and wrote with an intensity of emotion and imaginative intensity.
The 19th century saw the emergence of Realism in art and literature and saw the emergence of prominent figures such as Pushkin, Baudelaire and Gogol. At the same time, poets such as Shelley and Keats reacted to the literary conventions of their predecessors.
20th Century and Beyond
The 20th century marked a new era in poetry with its experimentation in techniques and forms. Ezra Pound and T.S Eliot became two of the key figures of Modernist poetry, creating works that incorporated languages from many other cultures and rejected traditional rhyme schemes. To explore this new development in poetry, the Anglo-Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, combined words in prose-like expressions to create something utterly unique and modern.
In the postwar period, there has been a renewed interest in traditional poetic forms such as the sonnet and haiku. At the same time, poets from different cultures, genders and backgrounds, have been expanding the scope of the genre, challenging the traditional boundaries and conventions. Maya Angelou, June Jordan, and Adrienne Rich are examples of female poets who have pushed the boundaries while celebrating their identities.
African-American poets, such as Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Audre Lorde, and other significant poets of colour, have helped broaden the scope of poetry by exploring themes of oppression, black identity, and social injustice. These poets have made an indelible mark in the minds of readers and inspired a generation of writers.
Modern Poetry Movements
Over the years, a number of distinct poetic movements have emerged, further enriching the poetic landscape. With the rise of popular culture, spoken-word poetry has become a popular form of expression. Arising from spoken-word performances, Slam Poetry is a competitive form in which the poets battle each other through their words. It has become a space for creating awareness and discussing public issues.
Postmodernism in poetry has been characterized by its fragmentation and lack of definition, echoing the chaos and confusion of the age. We can see this in the works of Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and Mina Loy. At the same time, the internet age has seen an exponential rise in the use of poetry as blog posts, tweets, and Instagram captions.
Today, poetry has become a tool for expression, creativity, and dissent. It is used to explore a variety of topics from politics, feminism, and identity to race, religion, and more, signaling a new wave of poetry that is pushing the boundaries and forging new paths.
Technology Driven Change
Technology has also revolutionized access to and publication of poetry in the modern era. Social media platforms, like Twitter and Instagram, have made it easier to connect with people and gain an audience. With the advent of blogging, many poets have been able to voice their opinions to the public at large. Apps and websites dedicated to poetry, such as Typecast, Allpoesy, and Verse Daily, are creating platforms to connect with a larger audience.
We can also see an increasing number of books dedicated to featuring and showcasing poets. New anthologies, such as The Best American Poetry and Poetry Magazine, are becoming popular and helping to introduce new ways of reading and understanding poetry.
Finally, the increasing availability of online and print resources, have made it easier for poetry-lovers to explore different types of poetry. Websites such as Poetry Foundation, Poetry International, and Poets.org are helping to spread appreciation of the genre through their programs, publications and resources.
New Genres and Creative Influences
Nowadays, we are seeing a new wave of poets breaking out of the conventions of the traditional poem and exploring new genres. With technology and mass media, more poetic forms and more creative interpretations of traditional styles are being developed. From rap music to graphic novels, poets are pushing the boundaries and creating new and experimental works.
In recent times, themes such as identity and diversity have been explored, with poets like Ocean Vuong, Rupi Kaur, and Warsan Shire writing about minority groups and their struggles. We are also seeing an increasing number of poets from non-western cultures gaining recognition.
In addition, poets from the Caribbean and African diaspora, such as Kamau Brathwaite, Derek Walcott, and Lorna Goodison, have made important contributions to the genre.
Through their works, these poets have explored the experiences, legacy, and identity of people of colour as well as challenged dominant narratives and explored the issues of colonialism, race, and globalization.
Power of Poetry
Many poets now use their words to create change and to question the status quo. From the performance of slam poetry to the use of their words in political protest, these poets have found a way to use their creativity to make a difference.
The power of poetry is that it transcends all cultures and languages. Poems are able to express feelings and ideas in a universal language, which is why it is still being embraced today. Consequently, poetry has lost none of its relevance, its influence, or its beauty and continues to shape our understanding of the world and our place in it.
