An Introduction To The Art Form Of Poetry

It’s time to give poetry a reintroduction. A unique and highly versatile art form, poetry has captivated us for thousands of years. However, it often carries a somewhat lackluster reputation. This may be due to how it’s taught in school — your memories of learning about poetry likely contain a lot of analysis and trying to get an “answer” out of the poem. Consequently, poetry can sometimes seem inaccessible and antiqued or like a formula that needs to be deciphered. In reality, poetry is a living, breathing medium that has no black-and-white interpretation.

What Is Poetry?

This, of course, begs the question: what makes something poetry? Encyclopedia Britannica defines it as writing that provokes

“an emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.”

Essentially, it’s a type of writing that functions outside of traditional prose conventions and aims to use language experimentally. Poetry might not be for everyone, and that’s totally fine — but don’t knock it till you try it! Over the past century, poetry has become recognized as a verbal form as much as it is a written form. You don’t need to read poetry to appreciate the experience it offers.

The Various Styles

In fact, you’re probably already enjoying poetry without even realizing it.

Rap

The ever-evolving rap genre has completely transformed the way we think about poetry. Since the birth of modern rap in African American communities in 1970s New York, it has made its way to the forefront of the music industry. Today, it is one of the most popular genres. While song lyrics across all genres are inherently poetic, rap experiments with sound and rhythm in an artistically innovative way that utilizes poetic techniques. The intricate layers of wordplay, rhyme, and metaphor emphasize the power of music in self-expression.

That being said, there is still a perceived barrier between rap and “traditional” poetry. But regardless of this attempted gatekeeping of poetry, rap occupies a vitally important seat at the table. Rap’s value as an art form is tremendous, and its popularity plays a key role in showing listeners how effective poetry is when trying to bring about change or speak one’s mind. There has always been an urgency and immediacy to rap music, and many rappers incorporate political statements into their lyrics. Rap is a cultural movement that has empowered people across the country and the world to make their voices heard.

Some rappers you may already know are Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Drake, Logic, Queen Latifah, Tyler the Creator, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Eminem. To take a look at some of the most highly acclaimed rap verses that are widely acknowledged as poetry, check out this article.

Beat Poetry

The Beat Generation was a one-of-a-kind literary movement that took the twentieth century by storm. Spanning throughout the 1950s and 60s, beat poetry was a manifestation of American political and cultural upheaval. The poetry that emerged from those involved was unlike any that came before. Beat poetry embraces a wild and sporadic side of language — highly experimental and stream-of-consciousness in structure; it challenges traditional narrative conventions.

One of the best-known beat poets was Allan Ginsberg, whose famous poem “Howl” both awed and scandalized his contemporaries. It is considered by many to be a sort of manifesto. Ginsberg’s angry and sometimes vulgar language incited a lawsuit claiming that the piece was obscene, but the case concluded in Ginsberg’s favor. Beat poetry explores the freedom and ferocity of the poetic form and taps into the immense power of language. Although beat poetry is separate from rap, it is sometimes known to incorporate musical elements. If you find older classical poetry to be stuffy or disengaged, beat poetry will flip that perception on its head.

Spoken Word Poetry

One of our most powerful vehicles is the spoken word. So, it should be no surprise that spoken word poetry has been skyrocketing in popularity. Unlike rap and beat poetry, spoken word relies on a theatrical recitation of poetry unaccompanied by music. Spoken word poetry often conveys deeply personal emotions and is performed like a speech. Spoken word entered the national spotlight when Amanda Gorman delivered her rousing poem “The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s inauguration. Watching her passionate delivery inspired millions of Americans and sparked a new wave of appreciation for the poetic form.

Poets who became known for their written work have also entered the spoken word arena. For instance, Rupi Kaur, author of the bestselling collection Milk and Honey, is known for her powerful poetry readings at sold-out performances. Spoken word poetry is commonly performed at cafes and smaller venues, but it can also be done in a competitive setting. For people who enjoy theatre or prefer audiobooks over physical copies, spoken word poetry can be a fantastic way into the poetry world.

Where Should Poetry Lovers Look Next?

Poetry has deeply ingrained itself into our society, and its influence affects us whether we are aware of it or not. After familiarizing yourself with rap, beat poetry, and spoken word, you may find that poetry isn’t quite what you thought it was. It is not archaic and outdated but is in fact more relevant than ever. Poetry is an incredibly freeing medium that provides a tremendous emotional outlet –its ability to lift up marginalized voices and be a platform for oppressed voices is critically important, and it can convey ideas that regular prose cannot.

The Poetry Foundation is a fantastic resource to discover your next favorite poem. It features a vast collection of both written and recited poems, and it is frequently updated with fresh new work. To keep up to speed with rap, websites like rap.com writes about all the latest songs and posts interviews with the rappers themselves. There are also many blogs that analyze rap lyrics and review albums. You can also learn about poetry through the medium of television and film. Shows like Dickinson, Shakespeare in Love, and The Man Who Invented Christmas offer highly engaging (and dramatized) explorations of the lives of famous poets. However you choose to interact with poetry, there is no doubt that there is something extraordinary about it — there is something unique that no other type of writing can quite capture. No matter what form it takes, poetry is the language of the soul.