Writing - Poetic Art

 Having considered poetry in a variety of situations and styles it is perhaps useful to consider it as art. There are close parallels which can be also confused by poetry's political value. If you consider an epic poem like the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner or the Ballad of Reading Gaol aren't they rather like a grand painting such as David's Coronation of Napoleon or the Bayeux Tapestry. I am not going to categorise either here but it is an interesting exercise to examine them as an exercise for your own pleasure (or confusion). 

by Banksy 

I love Banksy's art. The recent deluge of works in London were great fun and showed just how significant and up-to-date art can be and it is the same for poetry. It can be as much fun, politically relevant, poignant or historical as the writer wants it to be. The poetic extract below is a part of my history.

Not my people

 

Shipyard fortnight they called it then,

businesses in town closed for 14 days,

seemed like all the people packed their bags,

and left the town for summer holidays.

 

First there was the preparation,

 finding some place to go and stay,

 then buying khaki shorts, snake belt, t-shirts, new pants, socks, and sandals,

 and mam and dad got summer claes. 

I was feeling a little reflective of my own history when I wrote it and it awakened warm fuzzy memories. It is a snapshot of a number of holidays, what is important is the atmosphere holidaying in the fifties and sixties generated. If I had the talent I could have represented the same sort of nostalgia in a painting. 

The style you choose for your poetry depends on the subject matter and the impact you're trying to achieve on your reader. Using a comic style may not fit a poem describing a disaster, but of course that depends on your sense of humour. 

The message really is to consider your audience if you intend your work to be seen. I say 'consider' but you don't have to, that is down to the reason why you have written a particular piece of work. For myself, at my age, I write what I want and bugger the consequences! 

God Bless