because poems are the language of metaphor;
because metaphor explodes our thinking;
because divergent thinking allows us to look at old problems in new ways, and explore new problems in creative ways;
because creativity makes way for empathy;
because empathy reduces our fear and judgment of others;
because when freed from judgment, we can express ourselves more precisely;
because precision with [...]
Archive for the ‘how to read a poem’ Category
invitation
I like a lot of space: larger rooms, open doors and windows, white space on a page. This desire for space includes metaphoric space. A good poem invites the reader into its roomy world. Its words, tone, and pacing need to say, as Robert Frost said, “you come too.” A poem that does not make room [...]
music, or, how to read a poem
Music does the work of poetry, not words. Like music, a poem should be an aural experience. When reading a poem silently, we should read it using our auditory imagination, as if we’re reading it aloud.
So, when first reading a poem, look for and listen to its music. What are some of the elements [...]
