Learning about poetry

[Lillian J]

My mouth dropped open within the first few moments of a talk/workshop I attended yesterday by David Richo, whose books on many subjects I've been devouring. The appearance had to do with his latest book - on one of his favorite subjects, poetry. This page has some wonderful excerpts - from Being True to Life - Poetic Paths to Personal Growth.

What jumped out at me yesterday was the thought with which he began: "Remember that the ultimate goal is not to find out what a poem means or what question it answers. The purpose is to let something in the experience of reading the poem come into focus for you, not only mentally but in an embodied way." Wow. If only poetry were introduced in that way more often - it would be something a lot more people would embrace and make part of their lives. I hadn't expected to actually write anything during the workshop, but we wrote several things, and I was surprised to get deep and surprising personal insights from some of what I found myself writing. I bought the book and haven't read it yet, but the parts I have read are very powerful. Lillian

[St. Margaret]

Very cool, thank you. Added this to my book list.

[LauraLoo]

That is great. And really, shouldn't quite a few disciplines be introduced this way?

Also adding book to my very long wish list!

[LoMaH]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

What jumped out at me yesterday was the thought with which he began: "Remember that the ultimate goal is not to find out what a poem means or what question it answers. The purpose is to let something in the experience of reading the poem come into focus for you, not only mentally but in an embodied way." Wow. If only poetry were introduced in that way more often - it would be something a lot more people would embrace and make part of their lives.

Lillian
Your post reminded me of the movie "Dead Poet's Society." Specifically, this scene, from 2:02- 7:48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiKM6...eature=related
Mr. Keating: We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?

If you've never watched it, do so when you get the chance. Even though the setting is in a private school, I think you'll appreciate Mr. Keating's efforts of encouraging his students to think outside of the box.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo

That is great. And really, shouldn't quite a few disciplines be introduced this way?

Isn't that the truth!

LoMaH, thanks so much for the movie tip - I missed that one, but I'm going to put it at the top of my NetFlix lineup.

You know, the funny thing is that I used to write an occasional bit of poetry, but haven't thought of myself as someone who can ordinarily come up with much of anything - until now! There was something he said just as we were about to write - I don't even recall what it was - that somehow gave me permission to just go into the part of my brain I paint with, not planning or controlling or having expectations about. And suddenly it all came bursting out - and it instantly explained the symbology of some characters in a painting I did months ago and have been wondering about since. So I'm now seeing the potential that opens up when we can just let go and access that part of ourselves with words. Lillian