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Philosophy 101
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Are You A Poet?
| Philosophy 101 |
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Are You A Poet? |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan 
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. Now who here if at all has described themselves as that and not been edged way from or not looked at as an odd cat that had walked into the room? It really seems a cheap trick by an otherwise dull mind. . |
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| © Copyright 2007 John Pawlik - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Don't mind me John, I'm no poet. Just the slow kid in yer class. Not to worry. I'll send myself to the office.  |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
I'm a human. Head Cheese & Chicken Feet |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
Meh.... I am an illiterate poet  . I don't mind having people think I am weird or foolish, but it is who I am. Poetry is my love and I am willing to be called a fool than deny my love for poetry. I may not be a good poet, but at least I am a happy, foolish poet.Juju PS: I don't care if this makes me look dumb, I wuv poetry and eventhough I am no "Ed Poe." Its my love. -Juju |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Actually, I have never had anyone back away from me at the mention that I am a poet~ I have found that people want to hear more of why my 'word art' is so inspirational to me and I find that the people I meet are very interested in poetry~ New people that I meet, upon hearing that I am a poet, always want to know if I'm published ... now, I can happily tell them "YES"~ Well, that's my story ... and it's stuck to me~  *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
A king doesn't stop showing himself as king just because some people get intimidated at his presence. Nor should the poet stop showing himself as poet just because his glorious aura is a bit intimidating to the lewd and less artful minded folk. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
quote: Excerpt from "Life of a Poet", http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/books/chap1/lifeofapoet.htm And that works for me. |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
I am Not a Poet. |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
I am.... Juju -Juju |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
*grin* Karen loves Pete.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
But Pete always makes me want to disagree with himself! |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. So what is a "poet" as deserves any particular regard or respect? None to my mind; in fact it's yet another definition of a fool. John . |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
"in fact it's yet another definition of a fool." Ha, yeah right on man. It's about time someone said that. Head Cheese & Chicken Feet |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Then you must not have much appreciation for poets or poetry. Why do you even post at this site? |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
A poet is one who expresses; it may be through many apparent or ELUSIVE depths of writing, social classes, etc. I've read original poetry becomes DEAD after it is placed upon paper for others to interpret. After the poetry has gained its 'permanence' on paper, does it not change, even to its creator, because the moment of creation has passed and circumstance has changed? In essence, all of our poetry has died and is in metamorphis to others' interpretation. At that point, we SENSE what appeals to us and what does not. Strictly, personal choice. This probably depends on background and location, as we all have different speech patterns and pronunciations. Sometimes, the most common words can have the greatest depth, depending on their context, therefore, I can't say that great poetry is dependent upon great vocabulary. Word choice, perhaps, yes. Poetry is food for thought and music to ears. What food may appeal to us one day, may not the next day. If we ate only from the plates of "great poets", we may not perceive life situations, emotions, and images that unacclaimed people of expression leave for us. On some days, I like to read just for the music of poetry, not for the comprehension. The alliteration, assonance, etc. can put me into various time periods, such as the Romantic or Impressionistic. Although I have my favorites, I can honestly say that I can learn something from the beginning expressor, as well as the more "accomplished", which is simply a matter of opinion. I thank you for posing the question! It's a good one! Incidently, Huan Yi, I like your play on words in the first line! To answer the question, according to my definition, I am a poet, but how good can be determined only by the reader, and only at the particular time it is read. If the words or thoughts would linger on beyond the reading, I might consider myself good for that instant. Of the hundreds of poems I've written, only one begs me to read it over and over, soooo, I probably would not consider myself a good poet, but many are unique, having several layers, plays on words or sounds, as well as plays on rhythm. I've never tried to learn the rules or rhythms of poetry or do I care to. I am NOT a 100%er when it comes to any theory of any hobby, but I totally respect those who are. I just don't have the attention span to stay on task. miscellanea [This message has been edited by miscellanea (02-23-2007 06:27 PM).] |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
Ess, I write poetry but I'm not a poet. Are you saying that anybody that works on a car is a car mechanic? Are you saying that anyone who has hung shelves is a carpenter? Anybody that's rowed a boat is a ship captain? "Then you must not have much appreciation for poets or poetry. Why do you even post at this site?" Quit trying to start a fight buddy, it's gettin old. And I'm seriously thinking about not posting on this site anymore so there ya go. Have a nice day. Head Cheese & Chicken Feet |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
"Are you saying that anybody that works on a car is a car mechanic? Are you saying that anyone who has hung shelves is a carpenter? Anybody that's rowed a boat is a ship captain?" No. Where did you get that from? "Quit trying to start a fight buddy, it's gettin old. And I'm seriously thinking about not posting on this site anymore so there ya go." I'm not trying to start a fight. Questioning and arguing things are part of this forum. |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
I'm just saying that you don't have to be a poet to write poetry. You might not be trying to start a fight but your tone is a little off. That's the nice way to put it. |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. The Fool by Padraic Pearse http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Poetry/PadraicPearse.html . |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
I think it is fair to say that anyone who writes poetry is a poet. Now surely what you or I call poetry when we write it may not really be poetry. That certainly does not make us poets then does it? If we write crap then does that make us crappers? |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
Laugh~ Not a Poet~ possibly so, which would be more interesting on a bio, but less impressive to publishers. Who knows? I once told my brilliant and excessively- active-brain-celled professor of biology that I was a poet in introduction, simply because the whole room was full of physic/science/math majors and I the only English major. Incidentally, I received an expected response, which was an eye-jerk-and roll movement in my direction. Every time I answered a question correctly in class, we all chalked one up for the poet. Made things more fun, what the heck. Am I a poet? Yeah, I am. And a crapper as well. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
quote: Can't think of a better response than this one. |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. To be a poet is in some way to acknowledge defeat . |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
Nah, we're just more creative in the ways we pick ourselves up when we fall on our faces. |
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fallenangel219 Junior Member
since 2007-03-05
Posts 10 |
i am a poet |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Personally, I acknowledge to my friends that I like to write. But I don't ever recall identifying myself as a poet. Partly because I have no understanding of any of the technicallity of poetry and partly because by contrast I recognize good poetry when I see it. More challenging to me was the courage it took to attempt prose. But I heard a college professor quoted on NPR radio suggesting that anyone who writes poetry could write prose and that gave me the boost I needed. However, given my weak training in my educational experience with english I am amazed to be writing at all. It doesn't matter to me if I'm considered a poet or not, that's not why I write. And the truth is a lot of the proclaimed professional poets writing is stuff I don't understand anyway. |
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Sphinxen Junior Member
since 2007-03-03
Posts 38U.S. |
I am not a poet by trade. I havent studied any writing techniques. I experiment with different forms, poetry, prose, character sketches of the people I know, and the ones I dont. I write because I have to write, the pen and paper posess me for a moment and I never know what its going to say. Its just something ive done ever since I could put words on paper. I write for the freedom and high of creation. It doesnt matter if its no good, its still a release of the things I cant really say. "No one now dies of fatal truths, there are to many antidotes to them."- Nietzche |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. What easier “art” in the arts is there than poetry to get away with almost anything and still be considered a participant worthy of attention? . |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I think almost every art has a side equivelent to a "freeverse". |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. Which means anyone capable of line breaks or attention deficit in sentences can qualify . |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
haha |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
Yall are Not right. |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
It is easier to prove you wrong |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
Please do so. |
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ChristianSpeaks Member
since 2006-05-18
Posts 396Iowa, USA |
quote: Going with the mechanic/carpenter/captian thing: Not all who sing are singers Not all who dance are dancers Not all who act are actors. When it comes to the arts, there is a certain amount of skill that must be ecrued to ellict a title. I cannot call myself a poet. I have to earn that title. Dane |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
quote: But isn't that the same question simply reworded? Who is to decide what that certain amount of skill is to be? Are you ready to join the poetry police? |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Anyone may judge. Not everyone will agree. But most people will be convinced once someone proves more than just a very momentary desire or practice in the art that he is an "artist" thereof. |
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ChristianSpeaks Member
since 2006-05-18
Posts 396Iowa, USA |
Ron- Good point. I'm not quite ready to suit up. But - is anyone who puts pen to paper a writer? OR is anyone who takes those words and breaks thme in poetic-like places a poet? Dane |
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Angel4aKing Senior Member
since 2006-09-27
Posts 1372USA |
I agree with JuJu and I am a poet too!! Hey I can think of worse things!!!! ~~~kingsangel~~~ |
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Angel4aKing Senior Member
since 2006-09-27
Posts 1372USA |
Poetry is expression, and very spiritual, and noone is claiming (in this discussion) to have a Doctrine on the subject as far as I can tell. I don't mind calling myself a poet, I have heard of worse things to be called!!! ~~~kingsangel~~~ |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
quote: Sounds like you're describing art as a box, or a coin, or a heavenly body that relies on a definitive and ruling force. There is divine merit in being outside of the box, intangible, and completely remote from the artistic applications and ideals of another. Cultures craft and create a history for us that proves there is dignity and integrity in; being found different, straying outside the lines, and turning something over and over until it works for them. Hopefully, people will continue to "spring eternal" with their genius. Otherwise, Picasso wasn't a painter. Jelly Roll Morton wasn't a pianist. And the mightiest possessors of wisdom and philosophy sank into the ocean with Atlantis. quote: Well, let's see: Politics. Quilting. Basket weaving. Finger/painting. Lovemaking. Photography. Sarcasm. Fashion. Marketing. Cooking. Accounting. Sculpting. Public Speaking. just to name a few. quote: Qualify for (what?) President? or for acceptance by the masses as a poet? I can say I’m Elvis reincarnated and demand royalties from all those paintings of me on velvet, but something tells me no one will buy that idea, unless I’m so unbelievably believable it pays off? |
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Aurelian Member
since 2007-03-20
Posts 109TX, USA |
To be a poet is to be a fool - so? I'll be a fool. Everybody is anyway. Like it was said of Socrates - he was the wisest man on earth because he knew that he knew nothing. I'm not that wise yet by a country mile. |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Reg, I mean that the arts have strong traditions that were cultivated by the ages, but today, every art has a side dedicated to revolution and anarchy trying to "free" the art from the seasoned strings of traditions, structures, techniques, attributes, the very means that cultivated and strengthened, and made the arts most familiar to people to begin with and in strong an longlasting ways, for being maintained and cultivated in strong and longlasting ways as much as possible thro the ages. In my opinion this side is far "overrated", and it often leads to reckless extremes that lose the name of respectful and graceful art. |
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Aurelian Member
since 2007-03-20
Posts 109TX, USA |
Amen! |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
"in fact it's yet another definition of a fool." Well, there are fools and there are Holy Fools. And somethings are wholly foolish. |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Naw...I just live in a dream.... I Read The Words Of A Poet, Today I read the words of a poet, today, and saw the world the poet’s way. I saw the death of a poet’s child, husband, wife, I saw the way a poet cried. I saw the pain a poet feels when love goes bad, goes away, or just turns sad. I saw the way a poet sees the sunlit sky, feels the breeze, the grass beneath bare feet, cool water in a brook, all at which the poet looks. I saw the way a poet smiles, the sparkle in the eye, felt the tremble in the chest, the tightness in the throat, the love that swells the soul, the touch of a loved ones hand. I felt the ache of unfound words straining to sing in the poets way. I knew the joy of having written a wonderful piece, of loss of life, undying love, children, friends, God; of knowing I’d done my best, to hell with the rest, this was from me, my heart, my soul, my words, the essence of me and nothing less. I read the words of a poet, today, and saw the world a poets way; and now I lay me down to sleep, to dream the dreams, that poets keep. w. james beard, jr. © November, 2000 |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
"To be a poet is in some way to acknowledge defeat" This is a quite startling little poem, and should make anyone look at what they are doing. I don't know how being a poet acknowledges defeat, but it is a powerful enough thought to give pause. I think I'm a poet because I've been writing poetry for about 50 years, but it has never occured to me to introduce myself to anyone as a "poet." It's just something I do because I do. Over the years, my poems have evolved from the truly dreadful to the passably amusing. I don't know whether I'm capable, or interested, at this point, in writing in a different, though no less serious, form. I don't feel the emotional connotations of defeat. This doesn't seem to be a game you win or lose, just one you continue to play if you are moved to do so. I don't mind being a poet, but I don't have it emblazoned on a T-Shirt either. Jim |
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