Comments on: Poetry is Ordinary, Prose is Sublime

By: netta

netta — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:03:32 +0000

I agree that poetry needs to tell a story. I have not been a big fan of poetry – I have developed a passion for flash fiction, which to me, is very similar to poetry. Word placement on the page is important, and I think a lot of flash authors forget this.

My favorite poet is Frost. And you hit it right on the head with the reference to King's Gunslinger. It's the rhythm of the words coupled with story and vision – that's what makes any piece of writing memorable.

By: David G Shrock

David G Shrock — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:19:54 +0000

Nearly forgotten Lord Byron. Thanks to @KateSherrod for reminding me. Note to future me: Review.

By: David G Shrock

David G Shrock — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:24:45 +0000

Thanks for your input.

Mark makes two interesting points. "Poetry isn't science" and many modern poets don't bother with stories.

Amy's points: "Little stories" and feeling.

Is there science in poetry?

Why don't more modern poets include stories? Even "little stories." I suspect poets of older generations also practiced poetry without narrative.

By: David G Shrock

David G Shrock — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:24:45 +0000

By: David G Shrock

David G Shrock — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:06:40 +0000

Thanks. Yes, another debate. Some enjoy slice-of-life writing. I think it makes for a great exercise, focusing on the events, getting it just right.

By: David G Shrock

David G Shrock — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:56:13 +0000

More specific: "household name" status of prior decades no longer exists due to increase in media. Mickey Mouse may stand alone. We must look at recognizability relative to others. If we extrapolate since 1950s, it is fair to say that these authors and their best known works follow the recognizability curve. Terms like "Milton" or "Paradise Lost" still show up often in movies, TV, secondary schools, and casual conversations.

I chose these authors, because I recognized them years before I started reading any literature. These names are recognizable among non-readers.

If someone wants to argue these names aren't highly recognizable...

At iRoSF, Rusch in "What's Louder than Noise" makes the point that it's now impossible for any writer to become a household name.

By: marcnash

marcnash — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:48:33 +0000

I'm caught between the two, even though I don't actually read any poetry. My prose shares poetry's approach to metaphor, precise language splicing and rhythm. It's not overly concerned with telling stories. Does prose have to tell a story? That's a whole other debate.

By: Amy J Taylor

Amy J Taylor — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:34:36 +0000

The moments (or little 'life commentaries') themselves, if you wish to see them that way, are both tiny 'stories' and parts of much larger 'stories' (or lives!). And you don't need to fully understand the 'big story' in order to share the little experience…because, as a poet, I'm just trying to 'affect' you with an instance.

For me, that's what makes a poem great – did you FEEL when you read it? Did you read it over, because you wanted to FEEL THAT SAME FEELING AGAIN? Then it was a 'great' poem! I don't care if what you felt was the 'correct' thing to feel, just that you did!

So, you're welcome; poke all you like! The best thing about poetry is that all interpretations/opinions differ…& look at the result of those differences – discussion, debate, thought, inspiration, and hopefully, growth as writers. Isn't that what it's all about?

By: markkerstetter

markkerstetter — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:01:17 +0000

I was speaking of my own approach to poetry. Yes, the poets you mention tell stories, and certainly the stories they tell are a part of what makes them good. Some of my favorite poems tell stories. But there's a whole world of poetry produced in the modern era that does all sorts of things other than narrative.

The question 'what makes a poem great?' - wholly apart from subjective experience - is difficult for me to answer, my brain just doesn't work that way. I can justify my preferences, but in the end that's all they are. Poetry isn't science.

I doubt the writers you mention are quite the household names you suggest, and if you asked someone why they like Milton the answer you're likely to get will be, "huh?"

I take your point that anything done well is constant attention to the world. I'm with you all the way there. By the same token, any activity, including poetry, can be done poorly and thus blindly.

By: David G Shrock

David G Shrock — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:47:53 +0000

Fantastic response! Yes, before writing verse, rhyme, rhythm allowed easier passing of knowledge. Although, my memory doesn't work that way. I remember better by seeing it.

Can moments- 'life commentary' -tell stories?

Thanks Amy, and for letting me poke at your poem.