A Simple Definition
on poetry and other uncomplicated things
Easily understood or done; uncomplicated.
That’s what simple means. Not sure that can ever be used to describe what poetry is.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica (quick tangent: not sure why they would be the ones tasked to give a simple definition of anything. I mean “encyclopedia” and “simple” don’t really go together in my mind any more than “poetry” and “simple” go together), their simple definition of poetry is literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.
See what I mean? Encyclopedia and simple don’t mix.
Literature that evokes…written words that give rise to
a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience…an awareness of intense inspired perception
Written words that give rise to an awareness of intense inspired perception or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.
Okay, so my attempts to simplify someone else’s attempts to simplify didn’t really work.
Words strung together in a way that bring life and light to the heart, soul, and mind.
That’s as uncomplicated as I can make it.
Easily understood or done…not so much.
I guess that’s why we have things like National Poetry Month and Haiku Day. To help us pay attention just long enough to give the simple beauty and truth that can be found in poetry a chance. Maybe even have the audacity to think we could string together words in ways that bring life and light to the heart, soul, and mind.
I guess that’s one way poetry and simple belong together.
To simply try.
Until next time,
Becky
speaking of poetry and simply trying…
One of the Holy Week poems I shared with you was published at Awake Our Hearts. So thankful for the opportunity to share my words.
Not sure why Poetry Day isn’t part of Poetry Month, but here’s something I shared in honor of World Poetry Day:
And speaking of poetry and haikus…
Sheer simplicity.
I guess we’ve come full circle.
from the archives
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