Poetry Is…15

                Poetry is a pleasant surprise that can improve your outlook on the world. Poets design their poems to be read aloud. People chant it, sing it, and recite it all around the world. Speaking and singing poetry has been around for 5,000 years in all cultures. Reading poetry aloud allows you to experience the whole poem. If you read poetry aloud, you will understand it and remember more about the context of the poem. Always keep a dictionary handy when reading poetry to help with any new words that come up. Before you read it out loud, read it first in your head to scope out the poem. Then, try reading it out loud following the punctuation, and pausing at the end of each line. Don’t shout or whisper. Your tone should be conversational and engaged. Read at a moderate, deliberate pace. Enunciate and pronounce the words clearly. Enjoy the richness of poetry!

Poetry Is….14

                The tone of the poem is the attitude you feel in it. Tone can be playful, funny, regretful, angry etc. Almost all poetry has messages that can be as diverse as stars. The poem has certain beauties in sound and meaning. The attitude a poet has towards his/her audience and the thing, or subject that is being talked about gives you the general emotional tone of the poem. Verbal Irony is saying one thing while meaning another. To understate is to say less than is meant, while to overstate means to exaggerate with the words. Two things to consider when reading poetry is what’s being discussed and what the poet thinks about it. Explore the poem. Every poem has a speaker. Like a regular story there is also a setting, a situation, a plot, and a main character. There is also an atmosphere about each poem that inspires emotion in the reader.

 Poetry is the basis for many famous Christmas poems (Example: Twas The Night before Christmas), and many famous Christmas songs (Example: The First Noel, Silent Night). Even on the radio today’s singers are coming out with new Christmas songs. Songs actually start as poetry. We managed to find a number of Christmas poems on the internet and have had fun writing some poems too.

Poetry Is….13

                Poems have form. They have a theme, a plot, characters, and are full of metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech. A poem can have literal meaning, or an implied meaning. The subject and tone of the poem is the emotional atmosphere, or poet’s feelings and attitudes. Irony, which is sarcasm or dark humor is common. Stay alert for symbols, images, and other elements of interpretation. Comprehension and reaction from the reader is what makes reading poetry fun and entertaining. Poetry covers many countries and eras including: Sumeria, Hebrew, Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, Italian, and English. We have poetry going back 50 centuries. To read older poetry, it is good to have an encyclopedia, a dictionary, a good mythology book, and a book of biographies, in order to understand where the poets are coming from. The language can be a challenge, as the words may be obsolete or changed into a different form or meaning in today’s lingo.

Challenge: Pick one poet. Research and write a little biographical history about them. Be sure to include one or two short poems that they have written.

Gas from Mash

He made sure he lashed

His big stash of cash

To his sash,

Before he passed gas

And got a rash

From last nite’s bash,

Where he had mashed

Breakfast hash.

This is a reminder that different people have different food sensitivities and preferences. With this in mind, we should be accommodating and understanding of different opinions. This goes for everything, from the tastebuds, to smells, to the visual. And opinions differ about other, more complex issues. Having a respectful conversation amongst ourselves, opens the door to maturity and open-mindedness. It is important to have our own opinions, but also be willing to learn new ideas from others. This makes our psychological make-up complete as we quest for the truth. And my truth is not your truth, but somehow we live in harmony through the similarities we share. Don’t let yourself be brainwashed by allowing another person to tell you what to believe in. Have your own truth, but be open to new concepts. Take what resonates and toss the rest. Enjoy what you like but realize that others may feel differently, just like that food you like that your friend can’t stand. We make exceptions for those we love.