What do you want from a poem?

For me the most important thing is approachability. I prefer poems that work on different levels, with at least one level reasonably easy to understand. If a poem is so obscure I can't make head or tale of it after several readings then it's off my reading list. I really don't have a lot of time for poems that assume I have a profound understanding of the arts.

What about you? What do you want?

I like them to have a point. Even if it takes a read or two to get it.

I have no time for poems that are so obscure, they could mean a million things to a million different people.

I don't like smugness and exclusivity, I don't like hi brow, 'if you didn't go to uni, you won't get this,' type poetry and there is a lot of that about. I don't mind looking at a dictionary to look up a word, but if I have to have it open for every line then I'm not likely to bother with said poem.

To me, the 'famous' modern poets are their own worst enemy. They preach about taking poetry to the ordinary man in the street then publish a tome that is guaranteed to get the ordinary man in the street reaching for his copy of the Sun. :)

Poetry is condensed literature in essence, but too many poets want to win the poetic version of the all too obscure, Booker prize than publish something  that would get the masses actually reading it.

I agree with Trevor. A lot of modern poetry is beyond me. I tend to lose patience, reading it, because it's too obscure. I must admit to being a fan of the old classics, Wordsworth, Shelley and Keats are my all time favourites. I could read them all day and not get bored. I  also like amusing rhymes, not sure they can be called poetry in the true sense of the word, but I like something to lift my spirits on occasions.

Emotion set to inner music. Looking at the world through synical eyes and finding the words to redress the balance. That's the beauty of poetry to me. You can do anything you want with it. There are rules, but the option to jump over the fence and break the mould is acceptable too.

Having been inundated with the 'War Poets' Sassoon and Owen for English 'O' levels way back when, I always thought that a poem had to have a certain rhyme and rhythm to it and had to tell a clear story.

Since joining the site, however, my eyes have been opened to many different styles, from poetic prose to free form. I won't pretend to know all the ins and outs of different poetry styles, some I like and some I still don't get, but then poetry is subjective. I like poetry that has a rhythm, reason and or rhyme to it.

Hi there.

      I was interested in being part of the poetry group as I write some poetry and am always seeking to improve on what I do. I agree with the comments about it should be accessible and understandable, but do like things that give me a different point of view that perhaps I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise.

I have two books which helped turn me onto contemporary poetry more and they are ‘Being Alive and Staying Alive’ Anthologies put together by Neil Astley – Bloodaxe Books.

I do like nature based poems, Robert Frost’s ‘Tuft of Flowers’ being a favourite for example and Wendell Berry’s ‘The peace of Wild Things.’ Another poem is below, quite different from the others mentioned. Don’t know if any of you have come across it.

This Poem.

This poem is dangerous; it should not be left

Within reach of children, or even adults

Who might possibly swallow it whole, with possibly

Undesirable side-effects. If you come across

An unattended, unidentified poem

In a public place, do not attempt to tackle it

Yourself. Send it (preferably, in a sealed container)

To the nearest centre of learning, where it will be rendered

Harmless, by experts. Even the simplest poem

May destroy your immunity to human emotions.

All poems must carry a Government warning. Words

Can seriously affect your heart.

                               ELMA MITCHEL,  from Being Alive, edited by Neil Astley.

Wish I’d written that one!

Thank you Shrub for the rhyme schemes, I might have a go at that.

anne-h

I agree with you all, I can't see the point of completely obscure poetry and am sure the fashion for it stops a lot of very good poets getting things published. After all the last poet laureate Andrew Motion wasn't at all like that, I just love his stuff.