Poetry isn't a medium I think about very often, because I am more drawn to manuscripts and screenplays, but poetry is fascinating in its own right. I am excited to host Jessica Freeman, who chats about how modern-day poetry remains relevant today.
New Ways to Treat
Modern Poetry
by Jessica Freeman
For those who appreciate genuine inspiration as
the initial point for creating poetry, the presentation of poetry through books
is simply… not enough. Yes, you can publish a collection of poems and allow
your readers to respond after processing the poetry through their own filter of
emotions. However, the modern era gives you many other ways to express poetry.
It would be a shame to limit yourself to print.
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| Courtesy of Jessica Freeman |
Why isn’t modern poetry suitable for paper? What
makes it so different?
Unlike traditional poetry, which was
characterized by fixed forms and meters, the modern poetry is recognizable for
its open form and free verse. Rather than being emotional, it’s predominantly
intellectual. It is impersonal and anti-romantic, so the method ‘read until you
feel something’ doesn’t really work with these poets. They need a different
treatment.
The Challenge: Can Poetry Be
Popular Today?
The modern readers want drama. We want action. We
need strong characters. Where does poetry fit in?
There seems to be a general belief that poetry is
an undervalued genre in literature. With Bob Dylan winning the Nobel Prize of
Literature in 2016 for “having
created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”,
I think it’s safe to say that poetry still stands strong. Let’s compare Bob
Dylan to other poets who’ve won the Prize: T. S. Eliot, W. B. Yeats,
Rabindranath Tagore, Pablo Neruda, and others. Where’s the biggest difference? Performance. Treatment.
Every poem you write presents a big challenge:
how will you treat it? How will you share it with the world?
The Rise of Performance
Poetry
Performance poetry has its roots in the 1980s,
when Hedwig Gorski became famous through her audio recordings. Today, poets are
gathering live audiences that the poets of the past could only dream of.
Performance poetry is more than reading. It’s giving appreciation to your own
work through the spoken word. With this method, the stage is the page.
Contemporary performance poetry is much different
from the structured sonnets we used to memorize at school. This style doesn’t
have a formal rhyme scheme, so you’re free to explore experimental rhythms that
would create a unique listening experience for the audience. You can encompass
a wide range of themes through performance poetry, but it seems like social and
political critiques inspire the most powerful reactions.
Have you watched Sarah Kay perform? This is
not simple reading. You see symbolism, emotions, creativity, and power. You
hear and see everything you imagine
poetry should be like.
Today, poets can be stars. They vividly perform
their poetry on stages, in cafes, and in clubs. The audience has an opportunity
to listen to poetic words. The way a modern poet performs is not much different
from the classic role of the poets from the past. They used to recite
perceptions, emotions, and happenings. They were treated like rock stars. Now,
we are going back to that treatment.
Poetry is still popular. It will always be popular. The themes and forms
may have changed, but it still has a special place in our culture. Today, you
won’t encounter poetry in mainstream magazines. A published poet is lucky to
sell 5,000 copies of an edition. It may be fashionable to say that poetry is
dead, but there’s evidence that defies that statement. We’re not talking only
about Bob Dylan. All performance poets deserve credit for bringing poetry back
to life.
Who is your favorite poet?
How relevant do YOU think poetry is today?
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| Jessica Freeman |
Jessica Freeman is a passionate content
writer. She also writes for AustralianWritings. Jessica focuses her attention on education, literature, and
inspiration topics. You can follow her on Facebook and Google+.
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