A Poets View ~ Series of Perspectives V

What Makes Poetry 'Good' to Me?
By Elise

For me personally, poetry is good when it tweaks the imagination, or when two people can read it and see different things. Also, when one's eyes are opened to something new each time it is read. I enjoy poetry that paints a picture or invokes a thought. It doesn't have to be neo or Beat to touch me. In fact, some of that is way over my head! It can be of the 'Bulls-eye, rhyming variety' as well.

I love the sweeping emotion the Romantic English poets create. Poems of the Lord Byron and Christopher Marlowe variety. They swell the heart, and do not leave much to the imagination. Also, I enjoy the simplistic style of Emily Dickinson. Few words to say much. What a talent! I also love ballads of any kind. How clever to tell a story through poetry! Political poetry also interests me and stirs feelings of patriotism, or indignation. Then there are those who impart wisdom, such as Kahlil Gabran... invokingprofound thought.

I greatly respect creativity in poetry. Clever use of words, similes, and metaphors to create images intrigue me. Some of the best I have seen are from our 'Splash Poets'.

The bottom line for me is this: If a poem can touch my heart or my mind and stimulate it in a special way, then to me it is good. Whether Neo, Beat, or Traditional styles.. in the end, it's the use of vocabulary that counts.
~

Wannabe Poet

Gliding sidelong
across
the
page
This wannabe poet
with rhymes in her head
Struggling to grasp
the neo-poet's view
Obliquely stating
what new light is shed

Veering past
bull's eye rhetoric
Rose-colored glasses
and singsongy verse
Profundity protruding
comprehension eluding;
Perplexed and bemused
is this true rhymer's curse.

© 2004 elise

Elise is a Senior SplashHost at SplashHall Poetry.