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 Pulsating
Poetry Permeates Passionate People
By Chuck
Gallozzi
Does the title
of this article seem to have a rhythmical beat? So does life and the
cosmos. Everything vibrates, from the beating of your heart to the
humming of our planet (which vibrates at 7.83 Hz).
What
better way to express life’s significance than by poetry? For like
our heart, our planet, and our universe, it carries its message
rhythmically. But our universe can not only be heard, it can be seen
as well. In fact, the sight of it is far more spectacular than its
songs. The same can be said for poetry. Its rhythm is merely the
background accompanying imposing imagery painted by words.
This article is neither about poetry nor a call for poetry
appreciation. Rather, it is a call for poetry creation. Yes, that’s
right, if you’re not already doing so, I suggest you consider
writing poetry. Let’s look at some of the reasons for doing so.
1. Although art, literature, and music may not be necessary for
existence, they almost certainly are for life. For as French
scientist and philosopher Gaston Bachelard (1884 -1962) wrote, “To
feel most beautifully alive means to be reading something beautiful,
ready always to apprehend in the flow of language the sudden flash
of poetry.” You see, not to experience poetry is, in a sense, not to
feel and be aware of life.
2. Consider for a moment, the many
levels there are in enjoying music. You can enjoy it at home. Yet,
you will enjoy it more in the concert hall. And you would enjoy it
even more if you were a member of the orchestra in the concert hall,
still more if you were the conductor of the orchestra, and most of
all if you were the composer conducting the orchestra. So it is with
poetry. You enjoy it most when you are the composer or creator. So,
poetry is worth writing for the sheer pleasure it will bring.
3. Poetry is magic, for it unveils and reveals the beauty in our
surroundings and experiences. Here’s how Jean Cocteau (1889 ~ 1963)
describes it: “Such is the role of poetry. It unveils, in the strict
sense of the word. It lays bare, under a light which shakes off
torpor, the surprising things which surround us and which our senses
record mechanically.” Another magical aspect of poetry is it distils
life, much as Haiku (Japanese poetry) distils the moment. So, as a
poet, you will share insights, reveal hidden beauty, and illuminate
others with your sparkling revelations. Poetry, then, is an
opportunity for you to express the inexpressible.
4. As a
poet, you will grow increasingly aware of your surroundings,
relishing the moment. For you will “Take a commonplace, clean it and
polish it, light it so that it produces the same effect of youth and
freshness and originality and spontaneity as it did originally...”
(Jean Cocteau) In a word, you will restore to life “what is lost in
translation.” (Robert Frost, 1874 - 1963)
5. Poetry is a
venue for you to express your emotions. Just as when the stings of
the Stradivarius are stroked, they resonate and fill the room with
music, your poetry will cause your soul to resonate, filling the
hearts of your readers with the melody of life. Your poetry will
allow you to share, contribute, move, and inspire. What’s more, you
will learn that your poetry doesn't belong to you, but to those who
need it.
6. Another reason to write is for the challenge.
Writing poetry is no easy task, for as Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967)
wrote, “Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land,
wanting to fly in the sky.”
7. Following the path of poetry
leads to growing more attuned with your inner life. It allows you to
discover your hidden resources and become your own best friend. Once
your heart ignites with passion, you will be able to pass the torch
to others. People need to hear your message, for as Dame Edith
Sitwell (1887 - 1964) wrote, “The poet speaks to all men of that
other life of theirs that they have smothered and forgotten.”
Similarly, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832) said, “A man
should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine
picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not
obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the
human soul.”
8. Is something disturbing you? Are you going
through a painful experience? What better way to get it out of your
system than by writing poetry? Poetry is cathartic. It allows you to
transfer the pain from your mind to a sheet of paper. And as you
focus on the rhyme, rhythm, and resonance of the poem you are
creating, all thoughts of pain recede, much like the ebb tide. Pain
has given birth to some of the finest works of art and is a perfect
example of how we can extract something positive from even the most
negative circumstance.
Does becoming a poet, such as the one
I describe, appear to be beyond your reach? Well, the ability to
write poetry is innate. That is, it is as natural as walking. True,
those who spend time practising can walk more gracefully, but most
of us can walk with little or no effort. The same is true for
poetry. We can write it if we try. However, a little guidance will
make our efforts much more fruitful. Here are some books that can
help:
1. The Art & Craft of Poetry by Michael J. Bugeja,
Writer’s Digest Books, 1994.
2. How to Write Poetry by Nancy
Bogen, 1998
3. Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry by Nikki
Moustaki, 2001
4. The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises From
Poets Who Teach by Robin Behn, 1992
5. In the Palm of Your Hand:
The Poet's Portable Workshop by Steve Kowit, 1995
With
the start of a new Rotary year, this is the perfect time to embark
on a new adventure, so why not seriously consider writing poetry and
sharing it with others.
Don't mistakenly
believe you have nothing to add to the world of poetry because
everything has already been said. Has every wave struck the rocks?
Of course not. You see, your poetry can be, as Ralph Waldo Emerson
(1803 - 1882) said,
“...as new as foam and as old as the rock.” So, write it. Share it,
and enjoy it.
Chuck
Gallozzi
http://www.personal-development.com/chuck
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