Poetry: A Journey

Todays Post does not have any Poem inside this Piece of writing, Instead this is an article that I wanted to write here for some time. I had struggled on the question of either Posting this Piece or Not. But in the end, this is it! I had wanted to post this piece to cover a few thoughts on Poetry, only from my own view point. It also has my own journey through Poetry and who the Poets are that had influenced me to walk on this Journey of Poetry.

I am not a journalist nor am I anywhere close to that standard of writing, BUT this carries thoughts that I wanted to place here. If folks take something from this, then I would be happy that I completed this Piece. I do hope that Folks understand that these are my thoughts and Views, nor are they words that folks can take as gospel, But simply the views of one Poet. I hope that you enjoy reading this.

---

I wanted to write a piece on my Poetry Journey and provide some pointers on what I believe and learned through my journey in composing Poetry.

What is Poetry

Poetry is a form of Literature written in verse, using a language that seeks to stir a readers imagination or emotions. (On occasions this is often done with both) Poetry is often written through the use of language arrangement for meaning and rhythm. Often to provide a bigger impact as it were.

For me, Poetry is an art and it is a means to find a release in which, to create artistic style using words. This is something that has become important to me and has become something I love to work on with great enjoyment.

I could place many definitions about Poetry, but in my opinion that would over reach what I wished to write here in regards to Poetry. Poetry has always been a form for, entertainment, social, Political or economical reasons. Poets had always written verse for those reasons. But in many ways, Poetry has always been a way to guide a reader through moments that would often help them. Love poetry has been the more popular works in which readers find themselves reading through.

In recent years and in fact since the rise of the era of Music, Written Poetry has become less popular. Or so it would seem to the naked eye! In fact Poetry has always held an important role in many lives within society, often surviving below the lines of Media Knowledge as it were.

---

My Journey with Poetry.

I have been writing Poetry from a time in the late 1980s when I was in my early twenties, The vast majority of this was always been done in secret and any records destroyed, to protect my secret passion for composing poetry.

In my thirties I went back to full time education and completed the education that I avoided in my teenage years. Which resulted in a Single Honours Bachelors Degree in English Literature. This was where I consider to be the foundation stones of my Poetry passion took another step forward.

---

The Poetry and Sonnets of John Donne became a spark that began to burn within me. I was inspired in fact by the beginning and the eventual growth as a Poet in this Poetic genius that was John Donne. Then on the Irish scene of Literature there were Patrick Kavanagh and Thomas Kinsella struck chords within me also, But I decided even then to stay clear of W.B. Yeats, Because too much was mentioned of this great Poet, and I wished to find inspiration to write from outside that field.

But even then my poetry writing was kept pretty much secret and a huge portion of verses were destroyed to keep any trace away from leading to myself being discovered as having written or composed any form of Poetry.

It was not until recent years that I reopened this Blog for use that I swept any dust away from any writings that survived and began placing poetry here on the Blog.

---

It was here (in the Blog), that I found home and found strength and self confidence in Composing Poetry. To a large degree I shy away from any mention or thought of how good or bad my Poetry has become. But It has been a journey and a massive education. It was a final nail in this road of Poetry that I rediscovered an Irish Language Poet Seán “Clárach” Mac Domhnaill” John Mac Donnell Claragh (1691–1754) .

Almost forgotten by the vast majority, this man’s work was never known by me, because I knew next to nothing of The Irish Language. (I have since been learning this language over the past 16 months). His life and times interested me for a couple of primary factors and reasons.

One of those was that, at his time in Ireland, being Roman Catholic was a time of huge ill treatment etc, by the rulers of that time. Sean Clarach Mac Domhnaill Lived just outside of a small town in North County Cork (Ireland), This was the town and place where I was born and also where I grew up and still call home, even though I live a little over an hour away from there. Another rather strange reason for searching through this Poets history, is because at one point while visiting my infant sons gravesite I came upon The grave of this Poet, hidden almost in the centre of the same graveyard.

Also discovering that this man held what is known as “Hedge Schools” during his life. “Hedge Schools” were the sole education many Irish people would have in those days.

All I can say of his poetic work was that a Popular Irish Language song, Mo Guille Mear (My Gallant Hero) was an adaptation of a Poem that found its way into song. It is a lament to the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charles at the battle of Culloden in 1746. This poet was a bardic poet who adapted his writing to suit his own beliefs and works.

Thus this is where my passion for Poetry has grown from, I do not claim to be a good Poet but I would now claim to be a Poet, without hiding that fact and who seeks to continue to grow and learn as I write.

(( The above Photograph was taken from an outside source and posted here with thanks And Copyrite remains with those who carried out such great work))

---

My Beliefs in Poetry:

In this modern time, I believe that Poets have an opportunity to write or inspire peoples from within the lines of their poetry. Indeed many today quote Rap Music as being Poetry, Although I detest Rap Music. I would view rap music as being a form of poetry. Maybe in some ways they could be related in some ways to the Bardic Poetry…

I also hold a belief that a Poet can inspire peoples to eventually visit such places where they as poets have been or live in. Thus becoming a form of tourist promoter. If one writes on Love, the Environment, Political, Social or of Faith and Religion, a Poet has grounds to inspire and in turn leave a mark of their own within this ancient field that is Poetry.

During my writing, I composed poetry using a few different styles, much of this was to find my own home and footing within this field. Through which I believe that I have learned a couple of valuable things (To use) when I compose poetry.

(( The above Photograph was taken from an outside source and posted here with thanks And Copyrite remains with those who carried out such great work))

---

Therefore If I were to advise folks on composing Poetry I would simply say:

1) Find where your Footing is in Poetry.

a) Decide what style of Poetry you wish to write, it may surprise you that some write poetry because they love to do so. Therefore if it is Free Style or Sonnets or any other form? I would say, find where you are set on.

b) Rhyming and Rhythm are important in many styles except for free style, where folks can fit most poetry into this somewhere in my opinion.

c) Be prepared to learn as you write, but not necessary. Although it is a road I decided on for self educational reasons.

2) If seeking to Publish a Poem , most Publishers look for Poetry that were never seen anywhere before and are unpublished. Also it is difficult for many to get published because they prefer to discover those who had been published in some manner prior to that point. Therefore I advise to find any newspaper or other such work where you could gain a published work in. I myself did have what was my most hated poem published in an anthology of love Poetry, with publishers that are no longer available. (nor is the works found for that matter.)

3) If writing / composing Poetry simply for the love of it. Then nothing else should matter but getting that Poem completed and on to the next one. I would say, enjoy the journey..

Anyone writing Poetry who Loves and enjoys the whole journey in creating a Poem. It matters little what others think except that You are happy with the product that you put out there. If you are happy with it, then others will agree with you once they are in the same mindset.

Another Point that I would make is If you are keen on improving or developing your poetry. Then learn from others and find what works for you and what you enjoy working with. For me some types of Poetry takes a lot more work than what it would take normally. Some poetry takes more time, especially when working to complete it as perfect as you could. Once you are happy with your style of writing, then that is a whole lot to move on from.

---

There are areas that I have found to be less enjoyable, especially when it comes to readers. Where a poem that has a lot packed into a little Poem, that leaves little space for other little words or sentences that often tie everything together.

I am guilty of this on a few occasions, For example my last Poem that was published on this blog last time around. That I placed a whole lot of things into the poem that It left no room for what would normally make the poem more enjoyable. In short “Less is More” , If there is a lot to place inside a poem, then either create a second Poem or trim it down to where it fits into what you see as the right poem. I often place too much content into a poem and allow less space for the other little areas that tie the whole package together. I do this at times when I want to create a poem this way and ALWAYS expect it to be much less popular than others.

Another area in which I make mistakes and fail to foresee, are Poetry that I create for Humour.. Or More so Poetry that was geared as Humour poems, BUT I have a strange sense of humour, often what other may never see.. I would advise that any composing a poem for a humour basis, to ensure that all readers know the humour and that the humour of your readers are on the same level as it is with you. In simple terms; What you see or view as funny may Nevr appear that way elsewhere. Humour Poetry may miss its mark in some areas due to how English is understood.

Finally I would like to say, enjoy the journey that is Poetry Wrirting. My Journey is Not finished yet and has a long road to go yet and has been a whole lot of fun.

---

I hope that readers understand what I am trying to state on this post. This has been something I was debating many times with myself, in relation to posting this or NOT. Even though I am not a writer in the sense of placing this in a better form or standard, Yet It holds my thoughts and views.. Thank you and have fun writing.

---

ENDING THOUGHTS:

Thank you for following me on my little journey, that is composing or writing poetry. If Life is a journey which we all walk on and my journey in creating Poetry is a journey of it’s own. Which I still learn much on as I write.

At times I experiment on methods or way how I can improve my poetry, therefore getting feedback is always most welcome for such as these.

When I write poetry, some readers may be offended with something within the poetry. I do not write to offend, But such are written for reasons I outline in the posts. Often I miss typos and mistakes when publishing each poem. BUT I correct the moment I discover such mistakes.

But Poetry is a form of art work that I enjoy and thus using it in a manner to touch or inspire the reader.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Poetry is a learning curve where I always work to improve. A lot of work goes into editing and reediting and then repeating that process on a number of occasions until I am happy with the result. This is how I operate in creating posts to share here.

Please forgive for any such mistakes and for your understanding this.

---

PLEASE SUPPORT ADVERTS:

Any income that helps keep this blog going is most welcome which is why I ask as always that folks click on adverts when possible, the revenue from adverts is not very much but goes a way towards keeping this blog going. Thank you.

Until Next Time Cheers. 

---

Buy Me A COFFEE to Help with upkeep of this Blog!

Would you like to buy me a Coffee? I always welcome someone to come visit and join me for a coffee. Please click on the button to support this page by Buying me a coffee. I love to sit with coffee in hand and compose such poetry as you have read here.

I welcome any Donation that will go towards the upkeep of this blog, I will never ask OR Insist on a Donation, BUT IT does help a whole lot in keeping this blog running. If you decide to donate however Little it is. Thank You. I also ask that you click on the adverts.