WORLD POETRY DAY

I dont know how to write a poem. So many failed attempt, I always look out for rhythm when composing such that I have repeatedly abandoned most of my half baked works. I think I'm not on this alone or am I? Composing a poem is not an easy task which makes me happy knowing  that a day has been set aside on the calender to celebrate poets and even poetry. I analyse poems and I appreciate poetry, its a beautiful work of art that shouldn't be sidelined. So much is invested in those lines and people can derive thousands of meaning to the same poem.Two days ago I posted on PHENOMENAL WOMAN BY MAYA ANGEOLU and I keep saying that poem keeps resonating in my mind.

World Poetry Day is a time to appreciate and support poets and poetry around the world. It is held on March 21 each year and is an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stating: “poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals, everywhere in the world, share the same questions and feelings.”

As part of its objective for World Poetry Day, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), published the following statement; “The Observance of World Poetry Day is meant to encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, to promote the teaching of poetry, to restore a dialogue between poetry and the other Arts such as Theatre, Dance, Music and Painting and to support small publishers and create an attractive image of poetry in the media, so that the art of poetry will no longer be considered an outdated form of Art, but one which enables society as a whole to regain and assert its identity.”

There are over #40000 poets accross the globe, take out time and enjoy their works.

I hope you will be celebrating with some reading and writing. To all intending poets out there, here are five elements of poetry you have to look out for when writing;

1.Imagery
The only thing that will make your poetry powerful and enticing is great imagery. This goes along with the line you always hear “show don’t tell.” Only with poetry, it’s ALL show and NO tell. For the love of God, don’t just say that love hurts, give us a metaphor. Show us a weapon, maybe draw some blood. Make it appeal to the five senses.

2.Density
Density is what sets poetry apart from prose (normal speech patterns/ the way fiction and nonfiction books are written) Density is how much is said in how little of space. The ability to use metaphors, not conform to traditional grammar styles, and incorporate sounds and rhythms is unique to poetry. All of these allow for greater density.

3. Line
In poetry, the line is like one sentence. And since poetry doesn’t conform to grammar rules, and no one is obliged to use a period, the end of a line is like a period would be in pros. It creates a natural pause, making a break in the flow. This is a tool you can use to control the rhythm of your poetry. So keeping the way you break your lines up in mind is crucial to writing great poems.

4.Sound
The rhythm of a poem goes along with the general sound of it as well as making it easier to remember. There are two sound patterns to know here. One is soft and harmonious, I like to think of it like the sound of angels humming. This is euphony.

5. Rhythm
There are other ways to make a poem rhythmic without rhyme. Stringing words with similar sounds together in a line works very well.
(this is an example of assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words)
Simultaneous hate came with the pain
(this is an example of consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds at the end or middle of words)
the same rhymes are momentously timed.

However you choose to celebrate, enjoy and spread the word.Happy World Poetry Day.