I wrote some poetry recently. Never done it before It happened because I was reading something on the subject where they defined poetry as, making the familiar unfamiliar and the unfamiliar familiar. I don't know if that is true or even a good definition of poetry, but I liked it and I thought I'd give it a go.
Of course I've no intention of subjecting you to it up here, that wasn't the point. But I did discover something useful.
Usually when I have to write something, the number of words aren't too important and so I can ramble on a bit, even when I write to a short(ish) word count. Stuff like this.
Poetry is something different in that each and every word counts. And counts massively. You really have to think about it's value, you really have to search for the exact words. It's fucking tough. It's not like polishing a draft or rewriting something to make it flow better, poetry only works when you give each and every word complete consideration.
And so I'm going to write some more, not because I want to be a poet, not because I'm any good, not even because I enjoy it, but because I think I will be a better writer for it, I think I will respect words more.
I really do recommend you give it a go
Poeta nascitur, non fit, as they say. I have to say I agree; I think I've been born without the poetry-appreciation gene. Either that or I'm just a cynical fuck.
Posted by: Karl | 26 October 2009 at 09:34 AM