Navigating the Overflow: What Is Poetry in the Modern Age?
Plus Tips to Write Better Poems
Have you ever scrolled through endless lines of verse online, attended an open mic night with 50 performers, or simply pondered the sheer volume of modern poetry?
I often find myself pausing, wondering if we, as a broad community, get lost in a sea of voices, and whether we truly understand what the essence of what poetry is in this contemporary landscape.
And that’s why I made the following YouTube Video:
What is Poetry, Really?
This question sparked my latest video on The Poetry Vessel, and I wanted to share some of those thoughts with you here. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or lost in the sea of contemporary poems. So, I decided to dive deep to help demystify poetry, answer the question “what is poetry?”, clarify some common misconceptions about its definition, and offer my honest take on where we stand today.
Ready to unravel the truth about modern poetry?
Click here to watch the (under 30-minutes) poetry YouTube video: https://youtu.be/iq1sX2cr-Ps (It's under 30 minutes, I promise!)
In this video, we will explore some fundamental questions, including:
What is poetry, really? The answer might surprise you and challenge some of your assumptions about how to define poetry.
The fascinating and often indistinct boundaries between poetry and prose.
A brief journey through the history of poetic forms and the rise of free verse.
It is crucial to understand that line breaks do not make a poem. There's so much more to writing poetry than visual arrangement.
Why craft, intentionality, and transcending purely personal experience are vital ingredients in creating impactful poetry. I even delve into powerful examples from the poets Seamus Heaney and Chibueze Crouch-Anyarogbu to illustrate this.
The often-overlooked but essential distinction between simply writing poetry and the dedicated practice of writing good poetry.
And yes, for all you aspiring writers out there, I share some actionable insights on how to write better poems, focusing on key elements of poetry techniques and poetry-writing tips that you can implement right away.
If you feel a deep connection to poetry, whether you're a seasoned writer, a curious reader navigating the modern poetry scene, or simply someone who wants to understand poetry on a deeper level and improve your writing skills, then this video is for you. It's a chance to gain a fresh perspective and reignite your passion for the art form.
In an age of information overload, true poetry offers a vital space for reflection, connection, and genuine human expression. Let's explore what that truly means together.
Happy watching and happy creating!
- Nathan
