Have you ever felt like there was something you could do that could make people happy? Have you ever felt that you were talented with something and wanted to share it with the world? Poetry is a writing form that is used to make people happy and share important concepts with the world. Many people don’t pay attention to and value the benefits of poetry. After learning about this extraordinary form of writing that lies underneath the shell of everyday stereotypes, anyone can cherish the wonderful experiences that come with writing and reading poetry.

Poetry is a writing form that allows you to express yourself using feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Poems are pieces of writing that are like little windows into the mind of the poet. Unlike prose writing, poetry does not need proper punctuation, grammar, or spelling to be astonishing. In poetry, it's really the thought that counts. To illustrate this, the poem How Billy Collins Writes A Poem by Marjory Wentworth says, “When you first wake up, notice/ how your mother’s voice, calling/ you to breakfast, sounds like a fire alarm.” This can bring back memories, emotions, and expresses childhood, your most content days.

There are so many poems talking about nature or the world around us. Poetry is important because, through it, you will learn to appreciate the world around you. Even poetry about a broken-down shed can make you realize and appreciate things if you think hard enough. For instance, lines from Exultation by Lidy Wilks say, “My petals/ flourished/ day by day,/ growing/ ever larger/ and vibrant,/” In this poem, she describes life from the point of view of a tulip. You can have a great appreciation for just a simple topic. Secondly, poetry is important because it offers a great way to connect with other people. For example, an excerpt from Kid Stuff by Brian A. Bendall says, “Chocolate candy cigarettes/And big bubble gum cigars./Mini Bricks and Red Ball Jets,/Hopscotch and Dinky cars.  This poem talks about childhood and all the happy days and memories. This particular segment talks about popular candies at that time. It has a topic lots of people can relate to, which means that it helps them connect with each other better. To show this, if one person reads a poem about school, they could share it on social media, and many people around the world could comment and like that poem. This is just one way poetry helps people connect, and there are lots of different ways. 

Finally, the last reason why poetry is important is that it helps a person mentally. This could mean that poetry makes people happy, sad, or mad. Poetry could help you cope with stress in your life, and it could bring back memories of loved ones. Poetry can make your everyday life a little more peaceful. To show this, lines from Jazz Jive Jam say, “On Saturday, my mama sang/ a song that sounded blue./ Then daddy made his trumpet cry--/I guess the rent is due. ‘Round Midnight came a band of  neighbors/ swinging soul to soul.” This is an example of a poem that has an emotional effect on your brain. Singing, dancing, and playing an instrument are all ways to express yourself.  Writing poetry can be very therapeutic and de-stressing for some people. Not only does reading poetry help a person, but so does writing.

To sum this up, poetry is a very diverse and expressive writing form. It connects people with each other, helps you appreciate things, and helps people mentally in various different ways.   Right now, poetry is not as valued and respected as it should be. Given the fact that this writing form is very helpful to many individuals, numerous people still tend to lean away from trying this out, thinking that poems are odd, or that it’s a waste of time. Now, with some key principles of poetry under their belt,  people should disregard these false assumptions and consider putting a small amount  of time in their day to really see the eye-opening experience poetry is.

 

 

-Nethra