Why Do You Write Poetry?

[vampiredust]

Why do you write poetry? I thought this would be an interesting question for discussion.

Poetry, for me, is a form of release. When I write, I let go of my emotions and let them flood out.

How about you guys?

 

[flyguy69]

Why do you write poetry? I thought this would be an interesting question for discussion.

Poetry, for me, is a form of release. When I write, I let go of my emotions and let them flood out.

How about you guys?

Poetry allows me, no, forces me, to think about my feelings and observations in ways that prose does not. Prose allows me to simply recount what I think or see; poetry requires that I examine them carefully for those elements that distinguish them as unique.

 

[Guest]

I agree with the fly. Writing poetry makes me think about how I'm expressing my feelings, a moment in time or a memory. I also enjoy the challenge of form.

 

[bogusbrig]

It's a sickness. I wouldn't do it if I could stop myself. It's easier to stop smoking, drinking and having sex and we all know how difficult it is to stop those addictions are.

 

[flyguy69]

It's a sickness. I wouldn't do it if I could stop myself. It's easier to stop smoking, drinking and having sex and we all know how difficult it is to stop those addictions are.

Have you tried all four at once?

 

[Angeline]

I can't seem to not write poetry. I think I agree with flyguy and Tess. I often can't clarify how I feel about something until I put it in a poem. Also, words and wordplay fascinate me--always have. I write form and free verse, but the form poems are the equivalent of doing a crossword puzzle for me--fun with words.

 

[Liar]

I write poetry because it's a pretty interresting and effective way to explore the power and dynamics of language. I don't need to have a feeling to express or a story to tell (although that is also a frequent reason), I can just poemize for the fun of it.

 

[flyguy69]

...
I can just poemize for the fun of it.

Does this qualify for your recent "new word" list?

 

[wildsweetone]

Why do you write poetry? I thought this would be an interesting question for discussion.

Poetry, for me, is a form of release. When I write, I let go of my emotions and let them flood out.

How about you guys?

actually i'm a girl. Tess is too. but Fly, well, that's something that needs further discussion.


Why do I write poetry?

i write because if i don't, i'll climb the walls.

i write poetry because i know that i will get across to others the feelings i have about certain things, events, sights, etc. once i have learnt the skills to help me.

i write poetry because i feel there is a specific and distinct ability with a small amount of words to convey a great amount of meaning. every word in a poem must exist for a purpose.

 

[TheRainMan]

I Write Poetry to See If I'm You


I write poetry because we're always absurd,
no matter what. I write poetry
rather than carry antlers through the street.
I have no gun and no knife anyway.
I write poetry to keep the labyrinthian sound
of my own echo in the roads of my head
from swallowing me. I write poetry
because the old oratorical rhythms of words
in the howling wind
make me feel more powerful.
I write poetry because shakti-birds fly
from my fingers when I point at the moon,
a lifter of fingers to cloud-heavens.
A wise wilderness taoist once taught me
to fly himself; He was my own "I"
and I write poetry to imitate his language.

—Walker Brents

 

[anniebug's man]

When I feel it approach, which is not always, probably less often than not, I can't help it.

am

 

[rollintumblin]

Why do you write poetry? I thought this would be an interesting question for discussion.

Poetry, for me, is a form of release. When I write, I let go of my emotions and let them flood out.

How about you guys?

I don't know I could say that I decide to write poetry, sometimes poetry just has to emerge.

 

[WickedEve]

It's a sickness. I wouldn't do it if I could stop myself. It's easier to stop smoking, drinking and having sex and we all know how difficult it is to stop those addictions are.

I agree. It's like breathing, eating, staring at someone with 13 fingers. It just happens. Sometimes it's annoying. I take a walk every day. Every day for over 4 years. In the middle of some walks, a poem--2 poems, 3 poems--pop into my head, and I have to run back home to write them down. This happens about a third of the time. It happened 2 days ago. I was walking the mile back, repeating 3 new poems out load, trying desperately to remember them so I could write them down. At first, I tried to stop thinking about them so no other lines would come into my head. I bet I have some neurological disorder! Oh god! Some sort of poetry tourette's syndrome. Poetry brain spasms! This is freaking me out man.

 

[wildsweetone]

I agree. It's like breathing, eating, staring at someone with 13 fingers. It just happens. Sometimes it's annoying. I take a walk every day. Every day for over 4 years. In the middle of some walks, a poem--2 poems, 3 poems--pop into my head, and I have to run back home to write them down. This happens about a third of the time. It happened 2 days ago. I was walking the mile back, repeating 3 new poems out load, trying desperately to remember them so I could write them down. At first, I tried to stop thinking about them so no other lines would come into my head. I bet I have some neurological disorder! Oh god! Some sort of poetry tourette's syndrome. Poetry brain spasms! This is freaking me out man.

Eve, why don't you take some form of recording device with you? my mobile phone has a recorder. i always take pen and paper no matter where i'm going. or is it that this is part of your 'process'?

 

[TheRainMan]

Why do you write poetry?

It adds helium to my head.

 

[4degrees]

i don't know. it just happens.

 

[annaswirls]

I do it for the money.

 

[4degrees]

oh wait, i do it cause i'm in love.

 

[WickedEve]

Eve, why don't you take some form of recording device with you? my mobile phone has a recorder. i always take pen and paper no matter where i'm going. or is it that this is part of your 'process'?

a recording device? never thought of that! good idea. I can't really take pen and paper on my walks. I walk fast and far for exercise, so I can't really stop to write a poem.

 

[Angeline]

a recording device? never thought of that! good idea. I can't really take pen and paper on my walks. I walk fast and far for exercise, so I can't really stop to write a poem.

So you'll be walking fast and far and reciting into a little machine? And you think your neighbors find you odd now? Heeheehee.

What is it about mindless activity and the urge to create art? Is that when one's subconscious spills into awareness? Like meditation? I used to have a long, boring commute to work and I'd spend most days on the drive composing poems in my mind. Not trying at all either; they'd just pop into my thoughts.

 

[Guest]

a recording device? never thought of that! good idea. I can't really take pen and paper on my walks. I walk fast and far for exercise, so I can't really stop to write a poem.

I use this.


http://www.magnifiers.com/catalog/images/catalog/RECM0002.jpg

I keep it by my bed because I dream poetry too and it's gone pouff in the a.m. without this little doohickey. It's a sickness I tellya.

 

[flyguy69]

I use this.


http://www.magnifiers.com/catalog/images/catalog/RECM0002.jpg

I keep it by my bed because I dream poetry too and it's gone pouff in the a.m. without this little doohickey. It's a sickness I tellya.

No wonder you keep extra batteries in the nightstand.

 

[Tzara]

Why do you write poetry?

Because I can't write music.

 

[WickedEve]

I use this.


http://www.magnifiers.com/catalog/images/catalog/RECM0002.jpg

I keep it by my bed because I dream poetry too and it's gone pouff in the a.m. without this little doohickey. It's a sickness I tellya.

I've lost many night poems.
I'll check walmart or radioshack. I really need something like that. Oh, and in the car, too.

 

[SeattleRain]

I've lost many night poems.
I'll check walmart or radioshack. I really need something like that. Oh, and in the car, too.

invention for you:

I just ordered a keychain that doubles as a tape recorder. Well not really a tape recorder, more of a microchip recorder.

It if only vibrated...