13 replies to this topic

[Carol the Fool]

I believe it's safe to say that all of us are writers to some degree. I know that not all writers think the same writings or styles of writing are good though, as it should be. I was wondering what you guys think of poets and/or poetry, of any form.

[Yggdrasil]

I'm a novelist myself, I don't dwindle in poetry, but I will say that I'm kinda love/hate with it. it really depends on the poet. Surprisingly, Tupac(yes the rapper) is actually a VERY good poet. for a breif stint, his book of poetry was required reading at several colleges. Besides him though, I can never remember the names of poets mainly because I don't read alot of poetry, that is excluding poets such as Poe.

Of course i must ask you, what form of poetry are you talking about? Epics or general poems that the average high schooler thinks they can write (lol)?

[Redcoat]

If you can write poems, and they're good, and don't suck, and have some kind of meaning, then I think you're a genius. This is because I can't write poetry worth a damn.

[Carol the Fool]

I was thinking more like the kind of poetry they teach people how to write in school. So, yeah, the second one.

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Can't write *good* poetry very well at all.


...Or bad poetry.

I prefer to write stories. Not poems. I just don't do all that rhyming and rhythm-ing.

[8-bit]

Poetry doesn't have to rhyme unless you're going for a lyric-y or more traditional form of a poem.

Honestly, I think I'm okay at writing free-verse poetry. I don't do it often, but when I have to I'd like to think I keep my subjects varied and my poems at a decent length. I avoid the 'personal diary' type of poetry where everything is a metaphor for my life or the dark, angsty poetry because that's not me--not to mention it scares off other listeners/readers and (at least in my opinion) bogs down poetry society as a whole. Now, I can understand a darker theme of poetry (Poe, as someone mentioned before, is someone I can legitimately enjoy reading), so long as there's a reason behind it besides "I have so much pain in my heart, this wound will never heal, I will tear out my heart with my bare hands until blood runs down my slit wriiiiists" bullcrap.

I took a beginning poetry class sophomore year and let me tell you, it was god-awful because of all the freshman who thought they could write poetry just by throwing a few choice words in like 'blood', 'tears' and 'crimson'. Never again.

Edited by 8-bit, 01 February 2012 - 06:16 AM.

[Carol the Fool]

Sadly, the angsty poets are the ones everyone thinks of when they hear poetry. The real poets (in my opinion at least) are the ones that can use whit, charm, and passion to show an idea that they personally want to share. I took a beginning poetry class where we DID have people like this, and it was AMAZUNG. That kind of poetry is the kind that people should hear.

[Lyon]

@ 8-bit: You must be referring to those people. They were the reason I stopped taking poetry class, and yet they still caught up to me in the end...

[Durandal]

I've never dabbled in poetry, honestly. The few times I have attempted writing poetry it read awfully, but that's only my perspective.

As for poetry itself, I reserve judgement. My experiences with poety primarily consist of dull English assignments and Egdar Allen Poe. As long as you can write up something worth reading, I'm game.

[Chef]

Angsty poetry is, indeed, annoying. It's so prevalent, too.

Personally, I'm not that into poetry. I'm terrible at writing it and not the best at analyzing it. Reading it straight from a page is actually pretty dull for me. If I actually hear a poetry reading it is a bit more entertaining and meaningful, but otherwise I'm not a big fan of it.

With the exception of music, of course. That's the best kind of poetry.


But I will be honest: it takes a true genius to be a great poet. Masters of poetry are some of the most self-aware people on this planet.

Edited by Chef, 01 February 2012 - 06:58 PM.

[Nowe]

Most of the time, it's DO NOT WANT. However, I make an exception for Edgar Allen Poe and one of the german poets (cba to remember his name atm).

[Shoottokill]

I'm not the best poet...like most people. but i like to read it, so long as it's not angsty or love poems, because it's easy for me  to give it meaning.

[Lyon]

I try to avoid including poetry when I'm writing simply because, if you're not really good at it, it sounds bloody terrible. (see: Eragon)

[Just Joe]

I personally love poetry, specifically lyrical poetry. I'm not hugely into rap though. More along the lines of some of Bob Dylans songs ('It's alright, ma' specifically), because they can be entertaining on their own just reading them.