I have always wanted to ask what I am about to write but I never had the forum. This look like a great place to start. So, here it is: I don't "get" poetry. I have read the great works but they leave me cold. I have never had a "wow" experience reading poems. (I read a lot of them in college, and after.) My experience has been more of the "ho hum" variety. I don't see what is so great about this art form. So poets help me to understand! :dunce:

You're not alone.
Poetry is alot like Classical Music. In order to "get it" you have to experience it. Like myself, for example, if the poetry is something I've never been through, it's void to me. I used to hate Classical music until I heard a certain movement. At the time I was young and ignorant and nobody could tell me what this piece was called, searched high and low to eventually find out that it was called "O Fortuna" by Carl Orff. A story about how life seems to be governed by a spinning wheel which ascends you and throws you to the ground in one fell swoop. I've lived that, and so I perceive it to be a truth for me.
I've found I prefer my own poetry to others in general, and aside from myself, the only other poet I listen to vigorously is that of James Herbert Keenan, or as is he moreso known Maynard James Keenan.

All it is is finding poetry that reflects or infers your identity and station in life.

Originally posted by o3parietal
Like myself, for example, if the poetry is something I've never been through, it's void to me.

Your absolutly right parietal.
I sometimes write lines of poetry when I am in a mode; any mode.

Thanks for the information guys. Anyone else out there with a comment that might help me?

Thanks for the information guys. Anyone else out there with a comment that might help me?

CG, have you ever read or studied any of Shakespeare's plays. One particularly I have in mind is his historical play "King Henry the Fifth". King Henry 5 was a christian King, and it is believed he was one of Shakespeare's favourite character. I truly believe the majesty and splendour and energy of most of this king's speeches would get your creative juices flowing and instill you with some kind of passion for poetry! Especially if you are familiar with that type of English.

Great Demos

CG, have you ever read or studied any of Shakespeare's plays. One particularly I have in mind is his historical play "King Henry the Fifth". King Henry 5 was a christian King, and it is believed he was one of Shakespeare's favourite character. I truly believe the majesty and splendour and energy of most of this king's speeches would get your creative juices flowing and instill you with some kind of passion for poetry! Especially if you are familiar with that type of English.

Great Demos

I have read Shakespeare, even his sonnets. I acted in a few Shakespearean plays (in my acting days!) But I got paid for that acting. I still never understood. Acting is one thing, understanding another. Passion never happened.

Poetry still leaves me cold. What am I missing?

Hey there Guys! Ok, this is not anything near Shakespeare but I hope that you won't be offended by me posting one of my poems here.

I have heard the rain is God crying over some poor lost soul.
After the rain has died away, the Rainbow soon unfolds.
As the darkness fades away, light shines through the hues.
Miraculous shades of purple, reds, greens, yellows, and blues.

Why do people admire these things that have no use at all?
If I were granted one wish I would relieve you from this downfall.
Must you run and hide inside whenever you hear the sound?
You get upset and frustrated when water is on the ground.

And, when it stops, you lift your head to glance at the sky,
Then the sight of it makes you forget why you went inside.
One day I took the time to think of how the rain must feel,
When it sacrifices her 'blood' for you and gains no appeal.

Without the rain you would have nothing you need to live.
The rainbow may have beauty but what more can it give?
Can it help you breathe? Does it give you new life?
Yet, you hold it higher than the rain and smile at it's sight.

Do not shun the rain for in darkness life it does provide.
Next time you hear or see it coming please don't run and hide.
Thank it for the life it gives and try to stay just awhile.
Listen to the story it tells, your presence makes it smile.

At one point in time, I related the rain to all my sorrows.
It appeared to restrict sunlight from shining on tomorrow.
When I realized the rain was all I needed to get through,
I focused on the good that came from the pains of me and you.

No longer do I pray to God and wish the rain to stray.
I understand the purpose which is to bring a greener day.
All the pains you have withstood, and, all has helped you grow.
Your tribulations had made you strong, I just wanted to let you know.

I have read Shakespeare, even his sonnets. I acted in a few Shakespearean plays (in my acting days!) But I got paid for that acting. I still never understood. Acting is one thing, understanding another. Passion never happened.

Poetry still leaves me cold. What am I missing?

Well CG, all I could say, you probably do not particularly lile poetry, or your talent lies elsewhere. You write pretty well, so maybe you have talent for writing prose.

Puts me in mind of when I tried to study music years ago. My eldest brother is a great musician, especially with the guitar. I used to like listening to nothing more than a nice female voice singing being accompanied by soft guitar music. That was a passion of mine. I wasted about 3 years of my life trying to learn how to play the guitar, under a master teacher who charged me nothing. I just couldn't get it! Then one day my teacher told me to stop wasting my time. "I don't know where your talent lies, but it's sure not for music", he finally told me.

It' usually difficult for us to determine our own talents!

Great Demos

Well CG, all I could say, you probably do not particularly lile poetry, or your talent lies elsewhere. You write pretty well, so maybe you have talent for writing prose.

Puts me in mind of when I tried to study music years ago. My eldest brother is a great musician, especially with the guitar. I used to like listening to nothing more than a nice female voice singing being accompanied by soft guitar music. That was a passion of mine. I wasted about 3 years of my life trying to learn how to play the guitar, under a master teacher who charged me nothing. I just couldn't get it! Then one day my teacher told me to stop wasting my time. "I don't know where your talent lies, but it's sure not for music", he finally told me.

It' usually difficult for us to determine our own talents!

Great Demos

Could be you are right! Peoms are just not my thing.