Welcome to the World of Poetry

Embarking on the journey to explore great poems can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you're new to poetry or simply adding to your collection of literary delights, this guide will help you navigate a vast array of works, from classic to contemporary, ensuring you find the poetry that resonates with you. Let’s dive into the journey together!

Getting Started with Great Poets

For beginners, the world of poetry can feel daunting. However, with the right resources and mindset, the process can be delightful and enlightening. Here are a few tips to help you start:

Visit Top Poetry Websites

There are numerous online platforms dedicated to providing high-quality poetry. Some of the best include the Poetry Foundation and the Academy of American Poets. These sites not only offer a wide range of poems but also provide insightful analyses and background information on poets.

Once you've picked up a few anthologies, you can explore poets who appeal to you. Even better, you can find excellent poetry websites that are top-notch, such as:

Poetry Foundation Academy of American Poets

Reading Aloud—Not Always Necessary

While reading poetry aloud can be a beautiful experience, it might not be the best choice for everyone. As the saying goes: Hear the music is sweet, but unheard music is sweeter. The audience and the means of transmitting poetry have evolved significantly over the past 5,000 years. You can certainly read poems aloud, but it doesn't have to be a requirement.

Some renowned poets, such as Walt Whitman ("Song of Myself"), Keats, Richard Hugo, Philip Larkin, and Seamus Heaney, ask you to read their works silently. So, don't move your lips!

Recommended Poets for Beginners

If you're just beginning, you might want to start with poets like Dylan Thomas and William Butler Yeats. They both have unique styles and can help you get a feel for the rhythm and emotion of poetry. Gone are the days when reading poetry aloud is a must; the modern approach allows you to enjoy the nuances of language in your own way.

Classifying Poetry for Your Journey

No matter where you are in your poetic journey, it can be helpful to classify poetry into different categories. Understanding these categories can enhance your appreciation and engagement with the poems you read. Here are the three main categories:

Ancient Poetry

Classical poetry often includes works by poets like Shakespeare, Lord Byron, and Walt Whitman. These poets use a rich vocabulary and structured verses, which might be familiar from your school days. For instance, the famous opening lines of O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman:

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel bbraving hemlock, But O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Exposite, and haughty deck, look on! (Pause)

You can also find Tom Hiddleston's rendition on YouTube.

Old but New Poetry

This category includes poets whose works, while older in style, resonate with freshness and simplicity. Think of poets like Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath. Here’s a piece from Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of her work:

I'm Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too? Then there's a pair of us! Don't tell! They'd advertise – you know! How dreary – to be – Somebody! To tell one's name the livelong June, To an admiring Bog!

Broken Poetry

This is my favorite category. Broken poetry often defies conventions, with a structure that may be unconventional and words that run in strange order. The ultimate master of this form is E.E. Cummings. Here's an excerpt from one of his poems:

I have found what you are like the rain who feathers frightened fields with the superiour dust-of-sleep. wields easily the pale club of the wind and swirled justly souls of flower strike the air in utterable coolness deeds of green thrilling light with thinned new fragile yellows lurch in the woods which stutter and sing

New Generation Poetry or Slam Poetry

For contemporary poetry, especially in the realms of new generation and slam poetry, consider listening on platforms like YouTube. These poets often use performances to convey their messages, making them more engaging audio experiences:

Listen to Amanda Gorman’s On the Run Watch Billy Collins read Introduction to Poetry

Conclusion

Exploring great poems is a journey that requires patience and an open mind. Start with the classics, then move to less structured poems, and finally dive into the vibrant world of contemporary poetry. With the right resources and a bit of curiosity, you'll find the poetry that moves you. Happy reading!