Blog #2 Poetry Reflection

The similarity between writing poetry and writing about poetry is the analysis. When writing poetry and writing about poetry, you must read and reread to understand the relationship between the words and the techniques used in the poetry. The difference, however, is understanding this relationship versus cultivating it. While writing about poetry, there is only a sense of spectatorship. While it can be exciting to see and recognize the techniques of a masterful poet, it is still something enjoyed from the sidelines.

On the other hand, writing poetry forces you into the field and gives you a new appreciation for the art form. Like anything, there is only so much you can understand from observation alone. You must eventually begin doing it for yourself and learning how to apply the techniques. Through observation, I might understand how a punch is thrown, but until I try to throw one myself, I won't truly understand the mechanics, the application, the set-up. The more we write about poetry or at the very least read poetry, the more we can understand the techniques. The subtly of certain poets versus the blatancy of others and the reasons for the decisions of each.

The experience of writing and performing poetry was a great proof of concept. One thing I've wanted to do in my classroom is to allow students to share their creative writing with the class. Either get up and read it aloud in front of the class or have a more anonymous option so students can still share their work without risk. But I don't want it to simply be sharing. I'd like it to be a workshop so students brave enough to share can get some constructive feedback and the students listening and reading can practice analyzing the author's techniques. Exposure to amateur writers against professionals will give them a greater appreciation for the skills.