What even is poetry?

Hi everyone! How are you doing? ❤️ This post is the result of a load of haphazard scribbles on a page in my blogging notebook thinking back to an experience I had that has led me to question: what even is poetry?

I was once asked to write a piece of poetry for a site so I did (it would be oh so nice if the story ended there but instead it goes on…I’m making a post out of this thing 😂). Excitement welled up inside of me as I took this opportunity and I was uplifted but on the day it was published I fell back down to earth (what a mood and a half). By use of simple words that degraded my writing before trying to lighten the load: “it is not the most advanced poem as it comes to grammer…” This comment really made me question why some people seem to think there is only one way of writing poetry.

Poetry means different things to different people and I think just because something doesn’t rhyme it doesn’t mean it’s not a poem. It in no way has to be grammatical if it doesn’t naturally come out that way, it doesn’t even have to be about life on this planet as long as it makes you feel.

The emotions that comment instilled in me have been held onto until this day no matter how hard I try to force them down. It’s something that many people probably wouldn’t have even batted an eyelid at because it could have been worse but that still doesn’t mean that it didn’t hurt.

When I read poetry written by others I’m not judging it and looking for errors, I’m enjoying it for what it is and the way the writer wanted it to be. In my opinion, the category of poetry falls under many subcategories and there are new ones being created every single day much to the fascination of those who would rather stay hidden behind one type.

I believe there is a poem (or a billion 😂) in everyone and for that to be true, no two can be the same. It’s the uniqueness that binds them underneath the word: poetry. Their differences that bring them together and allow them to live in harmony only to be attacked by narrow mindedness as and when it sees fit.

The message for those that believe there is only one way of doing things should be to remain open or you’ll miss out. Don’t become trapped in a humdrum routine where something you don’t understand is surely wrong (I’m beginning to think this can be applied to many things in life). It’s never too late to change your view.

Poetry doesn’t have to be happy, it doesn’t have to be sad. It can be full of words or it can be short. Whatever it is, let it be. Wouldn’t the world be a boring place if everything was the way that you expected? Sometimes the mould has to be broken in order to make room for variety and that’s not only okay, it’s actually pretty amazing when you realize how many possibilities there are.

Thank you for reading! 😊 What are your thoughts on the matter? Let me know and have a great day 💖

If you have time to spare, please check out my what are your assumptions about me? post and contribute by getting in touch! I would love to hear from you and it would mean so much 😄

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