Why Poetry Matters: The Aim of Poetry

 

Even if you’re not the most book-smart or widely-read person in the world, you’ve heard plenty of poetry before. Whether it’s someone rapping verses about their woes, or the song lyrics that get stuck in your head after listening to the radio, poetry has pervaded almost every aspect of modern culture and entertainment over the past century. So, why does poetry matter? What exactly is its aim? How does it affect its audience?

 

I've always felt a deep connection to poetry, even before I fully understood its breadth and impact. It's not just about being book-smart or having a library filled with classics; poetry has a way of sneaking into our lives, whether through a heartfelt verse in a song or the rhythmic flow of a rapper detailing their life's struggles. It's woven into the fabric of our culture, touching every corner of our existence. But why? What makes poetry so essential? How does it reach into our souls and alter our perception?

 

Poetry is emotive

 

Poetry helps us to explore, enjoy, and even appreciate how we experience life. Every other art form, be it sculpture or painting or music, relies on some form of emotive expression to survive; in this way, poetry is no different. Even if its objective is merely to paint a pretty picture, there's always some kind of emotion invoked in what you see and experience. In short, poetry matters because it can make us feel alive in ways many other art forms can’t.

 

While poems may seem useless to some, they actually serve many different purposes. Poetry can communicate emotions, preserve history, and teach us lessons to the reader, often all at the same time.

 

Poetry reveals nuances in our language

 

Of course, when people think about poetry, they often think first about what it reveals about language—about how a poet has manipulated words and phrases in order to form new relationships between them. Linguistic insight certainly plays a huge role in poetry; in fact, many poets have actually developed new uses for language through their craft.

 

Still, that’s only a fraction of what makes poetry so meaningful and valuable as an art form. Seeing how others can abstract their ideas into a tangible form for others to perceive and understand in their own way gives poetry a unique perspective into the hearts and minds of our fellow humans.

 

Poetry helps us understand ourselves and others better

 

As one of our most intimate forms of art, poetry allows us to learn about others by hearing their thoughts and feelings. It also allows us to learn about ourselves by showing us how others might perceive us. Through a poet's work, we can come to better understand an individual's unique perspective, sometimes without even knowing it.

 

Poetry matters because it’s an art form that gives us the ability to contemplate big ideas about humanity, existence, and ourselves in ways we may not be able to think about in everyday life. The best poetry puts us in the mind of another person and expands our perspective on what it means to be human. It can teach us something new about ourselves, or someone else, or the world at large.

 

Poetry can be used as a form of therapy

 

We can also use poetry as a form of therapy. Writing and reading can be cathartic, as it helps one to process emotions and deal with a loss or trauma, especially in a supportive environment.  People often approach poetry simply as something that’s meant to be read and admired on a page. But, poetry can also offer a unique way to talk through feelings, work through problems, and make sense of things that otherwise may seem impossible to understand.

 

Turning abstract thoughts into words can give you more power over how you interpret your own emotions. Studies have found people who take poetry workshops are more aware of their emotional health than people who don’t take classes. For people with specific mental health disorders like depression or anxiety, poetry therapy has been shown to help alleviate symptoms or even lead to symptom reduction in some cases.

 

Poetry reminds us we’re not alone

 

When you are going through a hard time, turning to poetry reminds us that we are not alone. When you need some words that can speak to your heart, or find a new way to see something, poetry is there for you. We talk to our friends when we are happy or sad, but sometimes it feels like they just don’t get it. Poetry is able to show us other people’s perspectives, helping us to feel less alone in our troubles. It helps us see things differently and gives a brand new way of looking at life’s problems while allowing ourselves to feel connected with others that may be going through similar things.

 

In my mind, I’ve always believed the aim of poetry is to apply reason, rhythm, and or rhyme to feelings in such a way so that others can relate to them usefully. In other words, poetry can be the best possible form of communication in its purest form. While many people may see poetry as being cryptic, it’s not meant to be. Poetry is written to paint a picture, tell a story, and convey something that in everyday conversational vernacular is not so easy to describe. When put to music, poetry can achieve an even greater effect, and this is how most of us interact with the art of poetry without perhaps even realizing it.

 

Although poetry might not seem like an important thing to be studying in our world, it actually has many benefits for not just students and teachers, but everyone of us in our daily lives. Not only can poetry be used as a way to show affection or mark achievements, but it also can help us all better learn how to use our own creativity and imagination.

 

Poetry isn’t just for academics, nor must you  become a poet yourself to fully appreciate the impact it can have on us. I urge you to find verses that speak to you, that move you, that make you see the world anew.  Whether it comes in the form of written poetry collections or in the lyrics of your favorite songs, poetry is everywhere and it shouldn’t be ignored.

 

 

Closing Thoughts

 

For me, poetry is the heartbeat of art. It allows us to dive deep into the human experience, to feel and appreciate life in a spectrum of emotions. Poetry speaks in the language of emotions. It's about more than just painting a pretty picture with words; it's about making us feel alive, stirring something within us that other forms of art might not reach as directly.

 

Some might dismiss poetry as frivolous, yet I've always seen it as anything but. It's a vessel for emotion, a keeper of history, a teacher of invaluable lessons, all rolled into one. But what's the ultimate goal of poetry? Is it to evoke emotion, provoke thought, impart wisdom? In my eyes, it's all of these and more. Poetry is a bridge between hearts and minds, offering a glimpse into the souls of others and, in turn, ourselves.

 

Understanding ourselves and the world around us is perhaps one of poetry's greatest gifts. It's not just an art form for art's sake; it's a mirror reflecting our humanity, our existence. Through the words of a poet, we can live a thousand lives, feel a thousand emotions, and see the world through a thousand eyes. Poetry expands our understanding, connecting us to the vast tapestry of human experience.

 

Beyond its reflective power, poetry has been a salve for my soul, a therapeutic tool that has helped me navigate the complexities of my emotions. Writing and reading poetry can be a cathartic process, a way to process grief, love, loss, joy, and every shade of feeling in between. It's not just about admiring words on a page; it's about using those words to heal, to understand, to grow.

 

Poetry also opens doors to other worlds, other perspectives. It's a form of art that invites intimacy, allowing us to hear the innermost thoughts and feelings of others and, in doing so, learn about ourselves. The beauty of poetry lies not only in its linguistic craftsmanship but also in its ability to make abstract ideas tangible, to make the personal universal.

 

In moments of loneliness or confusion, poetry has been a beacon of light for me. It reminds me that I'm not alone in my feelings, that others have walked similar paths and faced similar challenges. Poetry offers a different lens through which to view our troubles, providing solace and a sense of connectedness with the broader human experience.

 

I believe the true purpose of poetry is to dress our deepest feelings in reason, rhythm, and rhyme, making them accessible and relatable to others. While some may find poetry cryptic, its intention is clear: to communicate, to tell a story, to convey emotions and ideas that everyday language struggles to capture. Then, when poetry is set to music, its power is magnified, reaching us in ways we might not even realize.

 

Poetry's importance extends beyond academic study. It's a celebration of creativity, imagination, and human connection. You don't need to be a poet to appreciate its value or to feel its impact. Whether through written collections or the lyrics of a beloved song, poetry enriches our lives, broadens our perspectives, and deepens our understanding of ourselves and each other.

 

 

~ Amelia Desertsong