April, The celebration of poetry!
Happy National Poetry Month!
Poetry all year has its own celebrations. But in April it’s especially cherished. Since the oldest work of poetry dated back to 18th century B.C., The Epic of Gilgamesh, poetry has been a source of education and entertainment. It has also evolved in major ways, often representing the most important ideas of a country or language. It may be impossible to summarize (western) poetry in one paragraph, but it seems that each era finds a way to play with creativity and structure. By the Victorian era (nineteenth century), poets began to break away from these structures and developed “free verse” poems. And now we can say we have broken the boundaries of always being delicate and beautiful, and integrated it into our music and lifestyles.
As technology has advanced it has opened more room for poets to share their ideas, opinions, and perspective. And yet the question remains: Does poetry still matter? Opinions differ. From an activism standpoint, using your voice in any way is good and pushes topics that need to be discussed. I've watched many poems recited at marches that pushed for change and addressed matters that needed to be addressed. In fact I remember hearing my first spoken word poem taking place at a women's march. I was in awe. It helped me to understand the pressing issues in the world, and indicated a change that I wanted to be a part of creating. If an art form can do that, I argue it has the power to make a change.
Writing for some people is therapeutic as well. I've found it can help bring a sense of confidence, dignity and gratitude. If that itself changes someone's own world, the question of poetry’s importance is answered.
Now in some cases people aren't listening to the purpose of the poem. How it’s conveyed, use of metaphors, references, and so on If so, is it the poet not doing the matter justice? Or the listener? A debatable subject depending on the piece and the crowd. although nowadays literature is not as appreciated by younger generations which yes, does beg the question of its purpose. Personally I was that kid that would rather watch movies and TV shows that may at times push for a change. But when I did take my time to listen to poetry, it made me think more than that TV show ever could.
In honor of national poetry month I asked some of my classmates if they had a piece they would like to share as well as questions. I asked about their experience with poetry and their perception of it. I asked each person the same questions, including: Why do you write poetry? What styles of poetry do you find yourself writing most? Do you think poetry and art in general can change our world? Lastly, is there a poet you could recommend?
Here's what they had to say.
Zorah Cohen (ninth grade)
sasquatch
again we crave,
our hands pressed together, soft then hard
breaking//mending
no different from prey
a bug here, hiding
I just fall over // forgetting you
slipping farther
into myself,
decomposing my bones for purpose, my skin
easily peeled, my skin
flesh split into segments.
loose skin
wrinkled, mottled skin
my vesicle filled with juice;
squeeze,
gulp,
part of a complete breakfast.
What do you write poetry?
it SLAPS
Do you think poetry and art in general can change our world?
Heck yeah
What styles of poetry do you write most
prose poems
Is there a poet you could recommend
Mira Gonzalez
Jada White (ninth grade)
Danaye Jones was one of my many brothers.
He was hung up on a tree like a pinata nothing but 4 months ago.
Humiliated, even in death. He was buried in oxygen like a witch.
Even then, those souls were innocent.
The only sin he beared was Living While Black.
Nia Wilson was on of my many faces.
Her sister was one of my many eyes.
She watched as her blood was spilt on the Macarthur bart station.
Black bodies are used as sidewalk warmers.
Again and again, they are stepped over.
I am Tamir Rice.
I was twelve, I barely graced double digits.
My play gun was no match for their real one.
I guess now, my skull, that lies in my casket, resembles theirs.
I guess now that my blackness is no longer present, my death will finally get justice.
I was living while black, now i'm dying while young.
I was living while black, now I'm dying while young.
Why do you write poetry?
Its a form of expression
Do you think poetry and art in general can change our world?
Yeah, if you try hard enough
What styles of poetry do you find yourself gravitating to most
Pros
Do you have a purpose for writing poetry
No
Is there a poet that you could recommend?
Jacqueline Woodson
Edrisina Sklar (tenth grade)
the bay area sinks her teeth into summer like
sugar into coffee
like
toes in cold water
sweat clinging to hair
clinging to iced tea and softly
intertwined fingers with gentle elegance
we wait
our legs growing longer
eyes growing older
shoulders spotted with goosebumps
patiently cradling the clouds
Why do you write poetry?
I don't know, I think when I can get something onto paper I can understand it better like when I write it I understand it better. And I write a lot about life experiences like personal experiences and I can understand How I feel about them a lot better and I can process them a lot better for myself if I get them on paper. And I also just enjoy the process
Do you think poetry and art in general can change our world?
Yes I think, Yes yes I do I think that there needs to be better access to it, but I think that if there was better access to it then I think it has the power to change things yeah
What styles of poetry do you write most
Free form, I feel like my ideas don't flow the way I want them to when i'm stuck in a poetic form like rhyme schemes or sillybals.
Is there a poet that you could recommend?
Maya Angelou's really good. But a lot of my inspiration comes from writing that isn't even poetry I get a lot of inspirations, there's this one, Ray Bradbury's books that aren't the science fiction ones. The other ones. His writing is so amazing I get a lot of my style inspiration from those books