| Author | Message | ||
| Tori Bednar
New member Username: deadly_love Post Number: 27 Registered: 12-2006 |
Let me start by saying that I am a diehard classic poetry fan. I like poems with a meter, a certain cadence that allows the words to flow smoothly through the mind. Rhyme isn't a must, but it definitely adds to the enjoyment I get from reading these types of poems. Now for the real purpose of this post. Recently in English we have started learning and reading about more modern poets. Think e. e. cummings and such. I'm finding that I don't dislike it as much as I used to, and I am especially drawn to the themes that Modernism emphasizes (loss of god, dwindling individuality, a sense of alienation from the world, failure of communication, ect.) What I really am curious (and aprehensive) to try is the experimentation with form that is quintessintial to Modernistic poetry. I realize that the way a person breaks up the lines and creates a new message within the original by doing so is a very individual process, but I was curious if I could get some tips or starting points on how to get to that place. Any advice on how to leave my beloved meter, rhyme and cadence behind would be greatly appreciated. Also, please recommend any Modern poets/poetry that you enjoy and that might help me to discover a new tye of poetry and feeling within myself. Thanks. (Message edited by Deadly_Love on January 20, 2009) | ||
| Jeffrey S. Lange
Advanced Member Username: runatyr Post Number: 1148 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hi Tori, Intriguing post! I believe, and I am sure I will be corrected if I am not correct, that contemporary poetry is separated from what we call "Modernism", which is generally seen as the poetry of the first half of the 20th century, ushered in by such luminaries as T.S. Eliot. Some time in the 50's poetry took on a new cast, and the Beat era came storming onto the scene in the U.S. Today's contemporary poetry is in an as-yet-not-categorized phase currently referred to as "Post-Modernism"... it may hold onto that moniker or it may be changed depending on the way future generations view the work of this era, one supposes. It is, however, certainly a period of experimentation of form, as you point out. The terminology is semantics, but thought I'd mention it. I think the best tip regarding your beloved meter, rhyme, and cadence is to remember NOT to leave it behind... by which I mean that it is important to remember that we still see all of those aspects of traditional poetry applied to contemporary poetry; they are simply applied in different ways. Meter is often irregular, but it is still a meter the poet is aware of. Rhyme is generally not end-rhyme, but a contemporary poem is often peppered with internal rhyme and slant rhymes. And cadence can still help you figure out where to end a line... perhaps even more so in contemporary poetry than in form poetry, where line breaks are pre-determined by the form. Generally, end lines on strong words -- not conjunctions or articles. And complete an image or a thought before breaking, unless you are specifically going for fragmentation with a purpose in mind. But most of all, play around and don't worry too much about how to do it. It is an age of experimentation, after all. And while I love traditional poetry and still believe it has immense value for any poet, I also love contemporary poetry, and I write as a contemporary poet. It is the poetry that speaks in the language of my day and age. Have fun, and I'll look forward to seeing what bubbles up! Jeff | ||
| Tori Bednar
New member Username: deadly_love Post Number: 28 Registered: 12-2006 |
Thanks Jeff, your advice is actually quite reassuring. So far, the only example of contemporary poetry is a small collection by e. e. cummings that we have been studying in class. Hence my worries about the rhyme, meter, and cadence. The advice on how to end, especially, will be a huge help. Tori | ||
| Patricia A. Marsh
Member Username: patricia Post Number: 92 Registered: 12-2007 |
Why worry, Tori?! Today, e e cummings' poetry is historical rather than contemporary. However, what you'll learn from studying more than a small collection of cummings' poetry, is that he mastered meter and rhyme before he began experimenting. Also: FWIW, you can find a list of the twenty most popular contemporary poets at the following URL: . . . . . http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/58 All best! | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 5350 Registered: 05-2006 |
Tory, I can say this without reservation: I have never truly enjoyed reading a poem by e.e. cummings, whose cleverness (IMHO) enormously outweighs the depth/insight/profundity of his writing. I have also felt that using cummings as the high-school and college "gateway poet" to modern and/or post-modern poetry does a terrible disservice to the huge and wonderful body of what I call "contemporary poetry." Here are a few poets who I think you would strongly benefit from reading: (1) Sharon Olds (2) Philip Levine (3) Billy Collins (4) Kim Addonizio (5) Denise Duhamel (6) Mary Oliver (7) Thomas Lux (8) Robert Bly (9) Sylvia Plath (deceased) (10) Pablo Neruda (deceased) Best, Fred From Bambi: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." From me: "Even consciousness, a pastiche of recycled cans." | ||
| Jeffrey S. Lange
Advanced Member Username: runatyr Post Number: 1152 Registered: 10-2005 |
Great lists of poets from the both of ye. Simic, Oliver, Plath, and Neruda are my favorites from the two lists. Especially Simic. Reading Robert Hass now, as I mentioned on another thread. Absorbed. I recommend him as well. | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 32960 Registered: 11-1998 |
I would second Freddie's list, Tori, and most likely throw quite a few others on it as well (too many to list here). Two web sites I highly recommend for information on modern/contemporary poets are: Poetry Foundation Poets.org I hope they prove useful in your studies. Best, M | ||
| Tori Ann
New member Username: deadly_love Post Number: 29 Registered: 12-2006 |
Thanks so much,the poets and sources you all provided are quite enriching. And I have to agree with you Fred, I find some of e.e. cummings work to lack depth. It's more like a puzzle in which the only purpose is to find the sentence. I'll make sure to delve into the works of the poets you all recommended, and hopefully post a few of my own soon. Tori | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Moderator Username: garydawg Post Number: 26995 Registered: 07-2001 |
Williams Carlos Williams HD Bill Strafford Roethke and although hardly modern - Walt Whitman. Good luck. Smiles. Gary Celebrate Walt with Gary: http://www.poetrykit.org/pkl/tw10/tw4conte.htm | ||
| Dan Tompsett
Valued Member Username: db_tompsett Post Number: 270 Registered: 07-2007 |
Great reading selections above. Dylan Thomas is a favorite of mine, and a lot of his stuff rhymes. If you read some Dylan Thomas be sure to listen to the great sound of his work. Here's one he wrote about writing poetry: In My Craft or Sullen Art In my craft or sullen art Exercised in the still night When only the moon rages And the lovers lie abed With all their griefs in their arms I labour by singing light Not for ambition or bread Or the strut and trade of charms On the ivory stages But for the common wages Of their most secret heart. Not for the proud man apart From the raging moon I write On these spindrift pages Nor for the towering dead With their nightingales and psalms But for the lovers, their arms Round the griefs of the ages, Who pay no praise or wages Nor heed my craft or art. Dylan Thomas "People who believe a lot of crap are better off." Charles Bukowski | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 5352 Registered: 05-2006 |
I need to say this before Ron shows up. Kooser is god. Fred From Bambi: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." From me: "Even consciousness, a pastiche of recycled cans." | ||
| Ron. Lavalette
Advanced Member Username: dellfarmer Post Number: 1412 Registered: 05-2007 |
Thank you Mr Longworth. I was getting there. Tori: Lawrence Ferlinghetti--esp earlier works, like A Coney Island Of The Mind --Ron. Eggs Over Tokyo | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Moderator Username: kathy Post Number: 10727 Registered: 12-2003 |
I'll add: Jane Kenyon Gregory Orr Louise Gluck Dorrianne Laux LiPo Wang Wei Kathy You're invited to: Wild Flowers Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.~Robert Frost | ||
| Andrew Dufresne
Advanced Member Username: beachdreamer Post Number: 2012 Registered: 01-2006 |
I would add: Frederick Seidel Robert Creeley Elizabeth Bishop Robert Lowell Gregory Corso Galway Kinnell Philip Larkin Denise Levertov as long as we're making lists. ad | ||
| Will Eastland
Intermediate Member Username: dwillo Post Number: 911 Registered: 07-2006 |
Or get your hands on and read as many anthologies printed from 1960 onward. You will get a heavy dose of all of the above and much, much more. Though I would add Hayden Carruth to any of those lists. . . Walk carefully-- your shoe is what you shine your shadow with. ~Jessica Goodfellow | ||
| Tori Ann
New member Username: deadly_love Post Number: 32 Registered: 12-2006 |
So many poets! All of them helpful so far too. Especially LiPo, Kathy, his work is enthralling. With all of the reading I've been doing, Poe and Shakespeare are drifting to the back of my mind. It's refreshing to read contemporary works. I feel inspired all over again. (and that's a wonderful thing) The websites you suggested, M, are now bookmarked in my favorites for future referencing, they've already been a huge help. |
