Poetry Reflection

Matt Ambrosino

Poetry reflection

           

            My time in Poetry class has definitely changed me as a reader, writer, and even listener of poetry. It opened up a whole new world of poetry to me that before taking the class was hidden. Whether it was famous poets like Shakespeare, lesser known poets like those we saw in the poetry slam movie, or modern-day poetry superstars like Harry Baker, I have now been exposed to all different types, styles, and themes of poetry. Not only have I read or listened to this variety of poetry, but even practiced some of it myself. These are the things that have allowed me to grow and change as a poet and reader.

            Before taking Poetry, I was a classic case of a poem-pessimist. I didn’t really enjoy poetry at all. Unless it was a Dr. Seuss-style poem, with a fast pace and tons of rhyming, I found poetry to be quite boring. This boredom stemmed from my ignorance in the inner workings of a poem.  If something didn’t have a satisfying rhyme scheme I never understood what made it a poem. I just looked at it as a collection of short, sometimes incomplete and confusing sentences, creating some sort of hidden message that I could never seem to find. I didn’t know what Iambic Pentameter is, and I certainly didn’t know how hard it is to write. I didn’t know about the intricacy and challenge of a 39-line sestina. It just looked like repeating words being used a cop-out to writing and actual poem. I wrote poetry the same way. I looked back through an old poetry notebook from probably fifth grade. Every poem written in it rhymed. While you can’t expect much more from a fifth grader, it is a good example of how I viewed poetry for a long time.

            Since taking the class, everything has changed for me. My understanding of poetry is infinitely higher than it was in previous years. I now know what really goes into poems. I know how difficult it is to write in the Iambic Pentameter, especially if you actually want to write a good poem. This knowledge has given me a new respect for poetry. I understand that even though a poem may seem uneventful at face value, the immense effort put into the construction of that poem, while still delivering a message is remarkable. The important part, though, is the deliverance of a message- another part of poetry I struggled with. Every poem analysis we have done this semester has involved a part about literary devices. From connotation, to allusion, to tone, we have studied tons of different devices. With our knowledge of these devices we have torn into various poems and ripped out the parts that give the poem it’s meaning. This had allowed me to discover the message of a poem by careful analysis, as opposed to simply reading the words for what they are and trying to guess at the message. Once again, this has given me a new appreciation for poetry.

            I will probably not continue to write poetry.  I sometimes find it hard to enjoy writing poetry, as sometimes I feel constricted. Whether it is following a certain rhyme scheme, or a format, I sometimes struggle to find the fun in writing. However, I want it to be clear that this did not take away from the class. I will continue to read and appreciate the poetry of others, with a newfound sense of understanding and enjoyment. Although I didn’t discover a new skill in Poetry Class, I unlocked a new hobby and a new way to find enjoyment. To me, this is as important if not more so than being able to write myself. Whether it’s in school, on the SAT’s, or in a book, I see poetry everywhere. It comforts me to know that when I do come across it, I’ll be able to enjoy and understand it.