Homer, Rumi, Dante, Shakespeare, the Romantic poets and others shaped literature into what today we understand for poems and novels. Could it be that –like these authors–, poetry, is on the verge of extinction?
“Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary.”
Khalil Gibran
Old Poetry
Poetry was regarded as one of the most beautiful art forms. Not only helped us to express our thoughts and emotions, but it also allowed us to forge our languages and lexicon. Turn them into what today permits us to maintain a conversation (whether formal or informal).
But somehow, over time, we took it from its pedestal. And now, if someone says that reads and writes poetry, we may look at that person with questionable and somewhat awe expressions (as if they were a totally different human species).
In school, they used to teach about the great philosophers of history: Aristotle, Plato, Kant, and Descartes. However, we didn't like being taught about them (or at least I didn't like it). I used to see them as pretty boring people that raved on and on about everyday topics. I couldn't understand how, –by chance of fate–, they invented/created ideologies that are still relevant in today's society.
You may ask yourself why I'm talking and combining philosophy with poetry. I do it because they are almost one and the same. Both contemplate the whole ocean of beauty around us, but also, the imperfection and injustice we live with.
For a while, when I was younger, I fell in love with poetry. Used to read poems all the time and even wrote a few poems. Poetry enabled me to express my feelings. To say things I didn't dare to say out loud. Poetry was my escape route alongside reading fantasy books. And even as I grew up, it left a mark on me.
I get the feeling that when someone hears the word 'poetry' they immediately think of Shakespeare and his long sonnets or in another poet with his long verses and his complex language to read and understand.
My opinion
In 1997 17% of the U.S. population used to read poetry books, but in 2012 only 7% said them. In part, I blame our forms of entertainment. Since they are getting louder, bolder, and more intrusive. The content we are receiving is overwhelming. On the other hand, the immediacy with which we are living is not allowing us to stop. To read things carefully and to be able to do an introspection. Today's poetry was reduced to have small quotes copy-pasted as Instagram captions (myself included).
Robert Polito, President of the Poetry Foundation from 2013 to 2015, said: "Through reading poems, you really can learn how to think. If you can read a poem, you can read a film, read a painting, read a political speech."
Having social media, the way we have expressed our feelings and ideas has changed. Nowadays, we may not need an amphitheater full of people, as with a single 'click' we can share something with millions of people. Take as an example a Rupi Kaur, poet, illustrator, and actress who rose to fame when she published Milk and Honey and The Sun and her Flowers. Or R. M. Drake. He started writing his beautiful poems through Instagram and has touched so many people with his words that can represent moments of life through which several of us have passed. Poetry is one more way to connect and empathize with each other.
But poetry is so much more than a few phrases that rhyme. You could say we live in poetry. It is the way we see, hear and feel the world around us. They are the songs that make us sing at the top of our lungs and move to the rhythm of it. It is the chocolate cake that we bake, and we happily eat a piece. It is the painting or sculpture that we finished and of which we are proud.
Yes, poetry can be a sonnet or a written verse that can be recited. But the way I see it, it could be so many things. So no, I don't think poetry is a dying art form. On the contrary, I feel it's essential to human life. It is an art form that is constantly evolving, in a continuous struggle to represent our feelings in the thousands of expression forms that exist.
Some Poems I Adore
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda (specially number 2)
Don't Give Up by Mario Benedetti
Traveler, There Is No Path by Antonio Machado
Sunflower by Rupi Kaur
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