Thursday, April 1, 2010

Poetry, like bread...

is for everyone.
It fills the deepest pit
of the stomach
and quells the ache
of sensual starvation.
Poetry gives word
to the wordless
and definition
to the unexplainable.
Poetry is power,
depth, anguish, and love.
Poetry is life.
--April 1, Melissa

“Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.” Leonard Cohen

Happy April Fools Day and welcome to National Poetry Month!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've given myself an extra challenge this month to write all of my posts in poetry, or to at least include a poem each day. I'm not promising earth-shattering lines, here. Just wordplay.

And speaking of poetry, I heard a great story on NPR this morning. Check this out: "Arab Idol: Veiled Woman Rises in TV Poetry Contest". Just plain awesome! But it brings up a disappointing thought...I doubt a reality show/game show about poetry would ever make enough ratings to stay on the air in the U.S., which says something about our society.

It's also sad, because Poetry, in a way, can save the world. Poetry gives a voice to the voiceless. It can be subversive and revolutionary. It can be a catalyst. It can lead to catharsis. It can be bread...for the mind and heart.

I am reminded of a quote that one of my friends uses in her email signature line...which I will leave you with:

"I wish you would read a little poetry sometimes. Your ignorance cramps my conversation."
Anthony Hope (1863 - 1933)
Source: The Dolly Dialogues

And another, just for fun:

"Good literature continually read for pleasure must, let us hope, do some good to the reader: must quicken his perception though dull, and sharpen his discrimination though blunt, and mellow the rawness of his personal opinions."
Alfred Edward Housman : English classical scholar & poet
A.E. Housman (1859 - 1936)
Source: The Name and Nature of Poetry

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