What is poetry? Here’s the definition I found on dictionary.com.
“poetry
[poh-i-tree]
noun
the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful,
imaginative, or elevated thoughts.
literary work in metrical form; verse.
prose with poetic qualities.
poetic qualities however manifested: the poetry of simple acts and things.
poetic spirit or feeling: The pianist played the prelude with poetry.
something suggestive of or likened to poetry: the pure poetry of a beautiful view on a clear day.”
Poetry’s origin isn’t clear. It’s believed to have been around for thousands of years in different forms. Over time it has grown and changed. Now, there are over 50 types of poetry, including Haikus, Lyrical, Dramatic, Cinquains, Epic/Ballads, Sonnets, Couplet, Narrative, Limerick, and Free Verse. For most of these, there’s structure, and rules including lines, stanza, metering (measuring), and rhyming (patterns).
I found my love of poetry when I enrolled in a poetry class in college. I tackled metering, rhyming, played with syllable emphasis, presentation, sound, images, and many other elements of poetry. Free verse became my favorite to work with. It gave me room to express myself fully. I didn’t have to worry about the rules that went along with more traditional poetry.
I still use some of the basic parts of poetry in my free verse. One of my favorites is alliteration or same first letter. Images can be brought forth through similes or metaphors. Sometimes rhyming takes over giving the poem flow, like a gentle creek. This type of writing has a strange side effect on me, though. For the rest of the day, I find myself rhyming everything. This also happens when I read Dr. Seuss books, but it doesn’t stop me from reading or writing it.
“Just Her Poetry” is the product of the last two years of my life, with the addition of fan favorites from “No Fairy Tale.” I love expressing this “Word Art-Form” through nature as in the first half of the book. Certain emotions needed to be expressed differently, which is why there is a second half. Many venting poems didn’t make the cut, but I did feel better after writing them.
In sharing my first poetry book, I hope you will take a moment to join me on the back of a Harley, the beach, the forest…or at my desk wondering about life.
JUST HER POETRY PRE-ORDER LINK
Note: The photo of the ocean was my first choice to be the book cover. No matter what we did with the title, it didn’t look right. So, we tried other pictures and the forest won. I still love the picture of the ocean, but I’m very happy with this cover.
Watch for a special edition blog this week!
Sorry I haven’t been around on social media. I’m recovering from a nasty virus. I’m getting there but have to pace myself.
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D.L. Finn
Sources:
dictionary.com
https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/a-brief-history-of-poetry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_poetry
Poetry is so much more diverse–and rich–than I considered it back in high school. What a great communication tool.
I had the same misconceptions of it , too, Jacqui in high school. I thought it was all Shakespeare (although I enjoy that too.) It is a great way to communicate feelings and insights:)
I came to my love of poetry at a dark time in my life. The visual vista’s and the words shared within the poetry helped me to understand that there was another world waiting patiently for me to arrive. It also showed me clearly that there were others out there experiencing the same emotions I was. Poetry made me feel less alone. I’m sorry you have been so ill, Denise. Sending gentle hugs and best wishes for a speedy recovery. 🦋
What a beautiful way to put it that poetry shows us another world waiting for us to arrive. I agree it does connect to each other and makes us feel less alone in our feelings. Thank you Soooz. It’s just a bug, but its been a while. Thanks for the gentle hugs sending them right back.
Hugs accepted with gratitude. Those bugs can leave you feeling weak and depleted. Be gentle with yourself, my friend,🐨
Thanks Soooz:) Yes they do and I know I might take a bit longer to get there!
Best wishes, Denise.
Thanks John:)
😊
A huge congratulations, Denise!! I can’t wait to take a peek inside!
Thank you, Jan:) I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
Congratulations, Denise. I just pre-ordered and am so excited for you!
Thank you Gwen:) I appreciate that and can’t wait to hear what you think about it.
Congratulations on your new release, Denise! I wasn’t sure if I had congratulated you yet. I have always loved poetry but the prospect of writing it intimidated me. A few years ago, inspired by some very talented poets on the no longer existing Google+ I began to write poetry and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve improved so much through the years but I’m not where I want to be yet (I’m really hard on myself). When I read a great poem I feel the same way I do when I look at an amazing art piece or listen to a beautiful song––elated and inspired. Poems are written art and songs without music. I wish you all the best with your new book! <3 xo
Thank you Vashti:) I’m glad you started writing poetry. I look forward to reading yours every Friday. It is an artform that you’ve captured beautifully. I don’t put much thought into it , it comes from my heart. It is the song without the music but not incomplete.
Congratulations Denise on your new book and I love the cover and think it is perfect. I admire anyone who can create poetry and song. It is such an expression of the heart.
Thank you Julie:) this has been my favorite cover to date. I’ve never been able to create music and I’m in awe of that, but I’m happy working with words and it always comes from my heart.
I used to write a lot of poetry. Even had a couple published. But a miserable experience with an arrogant professor turned me off reading and writing it for a long time. I still use some of the principles you discussed in my fiction, though. Particularly alliteration and assonance. Something about both of those really resonates with me, and I find them in my stories quite often. Maybe you can’t quite take the poet out of me.
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
I’m sad to hear that an arrogant professor stopped you from writing and reading poetry. I had an experience a while back where I almost quit writing poetry a comment that was arrogant as well. I hope you are writing and reading poetry again:) Arrogance has no place in the creative world of poetry!
I use a bit of poetry in my writing, too. I think it gives a nice flow. I always appreciate it when I’m reading:) I will look for it when I’m reading your books.
Thank you Staci.
I’m sad to say I haven’t gotten back into it. The closest you’ll find me writing it now is the occasional beautiful line in my fiction. Oh, I guess technically I wrote one for the Medici Protectorate series. It’s a sonnet, but I don’t usually count it because it was a prophecy (just in sonnet form).
I’m sorry you had to undergo a similar experience. Kudos to you for rising above it.
I’m encouraged by the sonnet and hopeful there will be more someday:) I had a teacher in high school that gave me an F for what she claimed was copying work that I couldn’t have possibility done. It was a teenage survey that I did do myself. She had been a teacher to both my parents and I guess didn’t think much of our family’s writing skills. I think of her once in a while as I write today. Sometimes it keeps me going always proving I can. I’d say we both haven risen above it:)
I really like the photo of the ocean, but I think the forest photo makes a stunning and more evocative book cover.
I used to write a lot of poetry in my younger days. It’s an excellent way of expressing feelings and connecting with nature. You do that extremely well. I look forward to your poems, and hope you’re feeling better soon. Take care of yourself!
Thanks Mae:) I love the path to the ocean and wanted to convey that as a cover, but you are right the forest did that better.
I hope to see more of your poetry someday. I remember your blog talking about it and reading some of it. Fingers crossed.
Poetry lets me combine two of my favorite things words and nature.
I am pacing myself, thanks:)
I’m in to specific types of poetry, the kind that rhyme as well as express deep thoughts. And there are those poems that just touch me deeply. Then there are those I don’t like at all because I don’t understand them.
I’m looking to be moved or shown a point of view in poetry Shirley. I feel like there was a period where poetry was meant to confuse on purpose. Now, its more honest now and reaches us so we do understand. Maybe I finally understand, I’m not sure. I’m with you if I don’t get it or at least feel it, I move on.
Well DL, that clears up a lot. I thought it was just me. Thank you. 🤯🤯
Why read something we don’t enjoy, right? With poetry there is something for everyone, like books. It varied.
I had chosen the picture of ocean and sunset for my debut book, as both sun, sky and the depth of ocean symbolise life in many ways. They are the best images. Nature in all her forms breathes poetry. The cover of your poetry book is looking fantastic Denise. I am looking forward to read it.
Thank you Balroop:) i agree that nature and poetry seem to go together. I can see the ocean at sunset as a perfect cover. I’m looking foreard to reading your poetry, too!
Congratulations, Denise. I also developed an interest in poetry as a child. It’s a mystery and a passion. Thanks for your post.
Thanks you Robery:) I think the mystery and passion are direct links to our hearts. I know it helps me connect.
Yes. When the words come easily it’s like a deep and exhilarating meditation.
Poetry can be so comforting. I wrote my share during my high school years, while riding all those emotional waves we go through during our teen years. Nature poetry is my personal favorite! Good luck with the book–I can’t wait to read it!
Hi Julie:) I couldn’t think of a better way to express the teenage condition than through poetry! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it, thanks!
Fabulous. I have pre-ordered. I do enjoy poetry.
Thank you. You added a smile to my day:) I look forward to hearing what you think!