Tag: imagery

Categories
A Pinch of Poetry

Poet Snapshot: Langston Hughes

I fell in love with Langston Hughes’ poetry when only a teenager in high school. Still today, I enjoy reading and re-reading his beautiful word pictures. This talented African-American poet’s work contributed greatly to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s.

One thing I admire about his work is that he wrote in simple, everyday language. Yet his poetry exhibits creativity and beauty that examines the struggles of everyday life, especially of black Americans. Although his poems are usually easy to understand (and some are quite short) the complexity is between the layers of figurative language he uses.

I connect with his poetry personally because the themes touch on our common experiences: disappointments, love, sorrow, hopes, etc…

As you read through five of my favorite poems below, note his simple, elegant style and the depth of his messages. We can learn from this poet that powerful imagery, figurative language and themes are more important than word count.

[bctt tweet=”Powerful imagery, figurative language and themes are more important than word count. #poetry #poets”]

“Dreams,” probably one his shortest poems, examines the effect of disappointment. Take a look at the metaphors and the imagery. Did you also notice the sound devices of alliteration and rhyme?

“Theme for English B” addresses the issue of race on the surface. Underneath it reveals the power of poetry to break the barriers between people and find common ground. Yet even with the complex theme, he still uses simple language and imagery to communicate his message.

“Mother to Son” is a brilliant poem in which he takes on the persona of a mother encouraging her son. He reveals the darkness we encounter in life but leaves us with encouragement to press on. The extended metaphor of the broken down staircase paints a detailed picture of the speaker’s struggles. Each attribute of the staircase can symbolize a different kind of difficulty.

“Dream Deferred” is another short poem that paints a distinct image of disappointment through the use of metaphor. The message poignantly comes through his use of rather disgusting images. His technique shows that it’s not the number of words you use for the effect, but it’s how you use them.

“Dream Keeper” is probably my top favorite Langston Hughes poem. In a succinct way, the poet describes the delicate nature of dreams. His metaphors of “heart melodies” and “blue cloud-cloth” are such unique, amazing images that leave a deep impression on the reader.

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed reading just a few of the many poems Langston Hughes penned. If you want to read more poetry by this poet, click here.

Did any of these poems resonate with you? Tell me below.

Categories
A Pinch of Poetry

Understanding Poetry: 5 Questions to Ask

Many people are discouraged from enjoying poetry because they claim it’s too difficult. Trust me. I’ve had those moments when faced with an enigma of words on the page.

One way I hope to lessen the fear of reading poetry is to show you how to read it—especially for more complex poems. These five questions will help you crack the code of many poems you might come across.

What is the imagery in the poem?

Understanding poetry begins with visualizing the central images in the poem. What do you see, taste, smell, hear, and feel?

Then figure out what those images have in common. For instance, in Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son” the imagery centers around a broken down staircase and reflects personal brokenness and hardship.

What is the mood of the poem? (Or How does it make me feel?)

The imagery can help you determine whether the mood or feeling of the poem is positive or negative. In the poem above, the negative imagery conveys a negative, or somber mood. Yet the speaker shows her determination to overcome life’s hardships by saying things such as “For I’se still going honey” which in turn allows the poem to end on a more positive note rather than desperation.

Who is the speaker of the poem?

The speaker is the voice of the poem, and it’s not necessarily the poet. In Hughes’ poem, the speaker is a mother speaking to her son, while the poet is a man. You should identify the speaker by describing him or her as “someone who…” and fill in the blank. Does the person admire nature? Or does she have a message for someone? Maybe the speaker is complaining about something or questioning his life. In this poem, the speaker is a mother who is encouraging her son not to give up just because life is difficult.

What structural or stylistic techniques does the poet use?

Notice the punctuation, informal language and repetition in the poem.

Usually poets use structure and style to emphasize the message or reflect the meaning of the poem. In Hughes’ poem, the repeated line “And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair” is a big key to the message he’s trying to convey. Also, the poem is written in dialect which makes it sound more like we’re overhearing part of a conversation. This makes it more personal.

What is the message of the poem?

All of the above questions point to the message the poet wants to convey. Consider the negative imagery that represents the hardships of life and the negative mood that contrasts with the speaker’s words of encouragement. Her words emphasize that she’s not given up and kept going despite the hardships. So we can guess the message the poet means to share is to persevere through hard times no matter what.

Now I know you’re probably thinking that was too easy. And yes, for teaching purposes I picked a simpler poem. However, if you get in the habit of looking for these things when reading any level of poetry, you will find it much more understandable and enjoyable.

[bctt tweet=”Crack the code of poetry with just 5 questions! #poets #poetry”]

Do you have a special technique you use to uncover the messages in the poetry you read? Tell me below.

 

Categories
A Pinch of Poetry

5 Ways to Keep Your Poetry Simple

Simplicity is extremely valuable when it comes to communicating through poetry. I’ve always wanted my poems to positively impact the reader rather than turn them away.

From my experience, here are five things to keep in mind as you craft your own poems that will allow readers to appreciate them fully.

1: Relatable Subject

First, choose a recognizable subject that will resonate with your audience. If the reader can relate to the subject, he or she will appreciate the poem that much more. Many poets, if not all, write from the unique inspirations of everyday life. Example

2 : Simple Language

You might be tempted to use academic words or jargon in poetry, but I recommend that you do this sparingly and only for a certain effect, such as humor or reverence. Your ideas can still be complex, and you should use unique words and phrases. Just make sure your poem on the whole is decipherable. Example

3: Comprehensible Message

What meaning do you want to convey through your poetry? Whatever it is, try to make sure that it fits our common experience. People understand themes such as beauty, death, joy and disappointment. Choosing a simple message will make sure that the reader “gets it.” Example

4: Clear Imagery

Every poet should use figurative language and poetic devices to create imagery and mood in their poetry. That’s where the true complexity and skill comes into play. Whatever techniques you use should create easily visualized images that touch one or more of the five senses. Example

5: Familiar References

Allusion is a powerful poetic tool, but it can often leave the reader confused. If you make references, try to allude to people, places, events, etc… for which most of your readers will have some knowledge. If you make an obscure reference, the readers might miss the entire point. Example

Knowing Your Audience

Most of these suggestions have to do with knowing your audience. As you consider these ideas, also keep in mind your readers. If they will understand academic vocabulary, obscure subjects and references and extraordinary topics, then by all means use them.

Warning: Simplicity Doesn’t Mean Easy

[bctt tweet=”If it’s too easy to write, then you probably didn’t try hard enough. #writers #poets”]

I want to be very clear about what I mean by keeping poetry simple.

When writing poetry using my suggestions, you may be tempted to simplify the techniques. For example, forcing rhyme in a poem at the expense of your diction (word choice). Or using clichés instead of coming up with original similes, metaphors, etc…

Be reminded that writing poetry shouldn’t be an easy task for you, the poet. It takes much skill to craft a commendable poem that resonates with a reader. If it’s too easy to write, then you probably didn’t try hard enough.

Just saying.

Because poetry is an art, we want it to be worthy of appreciation as well as accessible to the world. We want our readers to understand it, but not oversimplify it so it loses its aesthetic value.

And I’m not suggesting that you should never write poems that have mystery and depth—both add value to poetry.

I simply believe that the complexity should mostly challenge the poet rather than the reader.

Do you have any other suggestions for writing understandable poetry? Tell me below.

[bctt tweet=”Let the complexity of poetry challenge the poet rather than the reader. #poets #poetry “]

Categories
A Pinch of Poetry

Keeping Poetry Simple

One of my goals as a poet is to make poetry practical and less intimidating for writers while respecting it as an art form. Maybe that’s why I get a little irritable when I see poets going to great lengths to make their poetry enigmatic.

I’m not saying that we should write greeting card poetry or Mother Goose poems. And I’m not implying that poetry should be an easy craft.

What I mean is that in the very act of writing a poem, an artist is trying to convey a message to a reader. If the reader walks away baffled and frustrated, what purpose has been accomplished?

Complexity and mystery have a crucial role in crafting the poem, but they shouldn’t be the reason people avoid it.

Of course, part of the enjoyment of poetry is figuring out the artistic secrets hidden within the words. But it shouldn’t take a doctorate in linguistics to excavate the meaning.

Because poetic trends come and go kind of like the style and color of jeans that’s in for the year, I have a proposition.

Let’s make poetry simple again.[bctt tweet=”Let’s make poetry simple again. #poets #poetry”]

Yes, I’m swimming against the complicated wave that contemporary poetry seems to be surfing. Maybe I’m kind of like my hero William Wordsworth when he started writing British poetry that everyday people could understand to rebel against the sophisticated language and concepts of his predecessors.

I, too, believe poets need to write so that people can experience it and understand it at the same time.

Poetry should always push your writing and creativity to its limits. Since poetry is an art, we have to keep in mind that it should be approached with respect and effort.

Consider William Carlos Williams “The Red Wheelbarrow.”  This  unusually short poem is recognized as a brilliant work of poetic art.

Isn’t the simple beautiful?

The poet intricately paints the image of a rain-glazed, red wheelbarrow, sitting near some chickens. The first words “so much depends” along with the imagery of rain creates a solemn mood so you know someone’s very life is affected by this simple everyday object.

Williams’ renowned piece proves that a uncomplicated poem can create a powerful image and mood.

Another one of my favorites is John Updike’s “January.”

In four succinctly crafted stanzas, the poem captures the beauty of a snowy winter day. Everyone can relate to the short gray days of winter when the sun seems distant.  The poet’s language invites us to imagine the artifacts of winter, such as the lacey, barren trees and a frozen landscape.

What I’d really like writers to realize about poetry is that a simple poem can be just as moving as a more complicated one.  Complexity definitely has it’s place in structuring the poem and creating powerful imagery and mood, but it shouldn’t rise through the surface to create confusion.

Just remember that simplistic poetry–like a piece of art– can still radiate with sophistication if you use your words and techniques effectively.

Disclaimer: you might not get a book contract by taking my advice on keeping your poetry simple. But maybe together we can turn the tide.

I’d love to hear your opinion. Do you prefer complexity or simplicity when it comes to poetry? Tell me below.

[bctt tweet=”Simple poetry–like art–can radiate with sophistication if you use words and techniques effectively. #poetry”]