...Defend Poetry

IN THESE STONES HORIZONS SING...oh hey poetry.

 Rather too many people have a negative perception and attitude to poetry. I've heard it described as boring, pointless, trite and pretentious. And at its worst it can be all those things. But then, so can't a bad film, book or play? It's easy to dismiss the whole genre through one bad experience because, unlike those others i just mentioned, our exposure to poetry is minimal. It's seen as the preserve of academics, lovestruck adolescents and wannabe poets, with the majority only coming into contact with it (outside education) during the occasional rom-com funeral. When was the last time you read a poem? (Voluntarily?) Its just not done really. Imagine you've been chatting to a friend about a novel you've just enjoyed. How likely is it that they'd reply: 'Oh I'm reading a fabulous poetry anthology at the moment. Its so moving, but surprisingly raunchy.' How many of you would do a double take? Or laugh? Part of the problem is association. Even the word 'poetry' sounds up itself, with its e where it has no business to be and the way it is a blanket cover for so many different things. But that shouldn't be daunting, try thinking of the world like this: everything is potential poetry. That tree over there; poetry. That dead bird? Poetry. In an exam, that clock ticking away seconds of your life, that's poetry. A good kiss? Poetry. A bad kiss? Poetry all the same. Do you think this is funny? Laughing, that's...well, you get the idea. Poetry can be made from anything, it should be the most diverse and accessible thing in the world. It's universal. But, wonderfully, its also intensely personal. It is what all psychologists dream of; a glimpse into the mind of another. The possibilities, as they say are endless. 

Okay, so we've established its an art. So why, is it perceived as an elite rather than a popular form of culture? Well, part of the problem is the flipping ridiculous prices of books of poetry. I looked at one once, a slender volume of poems about an eighth of the size of the average paperback book; £10.99. I don't expect a bigger book, but at least a more reasonable price. I appreciate it's a vicious circle that no one buys hence the prices, but really, there has to be some sort of compromise. If we all had poetry in our houses for kids to borrow off the shelves I guarantee it'd be a lot more beloved. 

Finally, and the biggest cause for lots of people, is the exposure to the 'wrong' poems. Now, I'm not trying to say some art has more value than others (now THERE'S an argument for a rainy day) BUT some is more to the taste of a certain audience. Poetry is still largely associated with literary movements such as the Romantics and therefore the typical idea of a 'poem' is high brow, pastoral, with dense subject matter and vocabulary. Or a superlativarific ode to love. To those who like that sort of thing, great, you're probably a fan of poetry anyway. To the rest of you; if you'd like an insight into real human (flawed!) relationships, try Shakespeare's sonnet sequence or Rapture by Carol Ann Duffy. For an all too relatable account of mother-daughter relationships try Catrin by Gillian Clarke. Ted Hughes' Lovestory is a shockingly visceral description of the difficult bonds of love, inspired by his own feelings regarding his wife Sylvia Plath, whose style may not be to everyone's taste but is certainly full of some amazing poetry about life. Those who like the raw, darker stuff, check out the infamous H.O.W.L. by the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg; it'll take your breath away. Go on, read a poem. I dare you.
If half the books and films in the world were as experimental and exciting as these poems we'd all be walking around in a permanent state of awe.
Also...if you STILL say you don't like poetry...you're a liar. So all your favourite songs are instrumental?