Activating the Poetic Perspective
Peace with (our) Nature through Poetry
Most of us would say that we know what a poem is, but when we actually try to define it, it gets a littler tricker:
Is it writing that rhymes? No. Not all poems rhyme.
Is it written with rhythm? Nope. Not all poems have meter.
Is it metaphoric? No. Many poems are quite literal.
Is it short? Well -that’s relative.
What makes a poem? It’s allusive.
For our purposes in This Wonderful World, I call poetry a perspective: a reflective approach to reality. It’s a way of relating to the world around us through recognizing the reflections that can be found in everything.
Call life a mirror, and it becomes poetry.
In this reflective reality, one of the big ways that life supports us and loves us is through talking to us poetically. When we ask a question, or need inspiration, life responds artfully.
→ Learn more about Unlocking the Poetry of Life
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The Rhyme & Rhyme of Creative Reflection
Even as I define poetry here as a perspective, I have found that poetic devices can be helpful keys to opening the reflective door of meaning.
The living mirror comes alive in rhythm & rhyme.
It’s magic. The music that’s made with rhythmic words creates a gentle hypnosis that opens the door to a waking-dream-state, where the meaning of symbols and metaphors are amplified, where every moment is a conversation with life.
With that in mind, here’s a few terms and devices that can be fun and inspiring to keep in mind. That being said, if these forms get you stuck in your head- break free! Don’t let the math of poetry inhibit the free-flow of meaning. Let the challenge of fitting into a stricter structure forge new ideas and directions without getting caught in how you're “supposed” to do it.
Types of Poems
It helps to have a clear direction and focus. Here’s some possibilities:
Ode: gives tribute to something. Read a few here.
Narrative: tells a story. Read a few here.
Lyric: expresses thoughts and feelings Read a few here.
When Meter Matters:
Meter is the measure of syllables (and how they’re stressed) to create a sense of rhythm or flow. Learn more about different types of meter here.
Here are some classic poetic structures that emphasize the importance of meter:
Blank Verse: has meter but doesn’t rhyme. Read a few here.
Limerick: is a short, singular, and often silly poem with very specific meter and rhyme. Learn to write one here.
Haiku: is a Japanese classic that brings the moment to life through an elegant and short form (without rhyme). Learn more about it here. Learn to write one here.
Sonnet: is a single themed, 14-line poem, divided into 4 groups, typically with 10 syllables per line. Learn to write one here.
When Meter Doesn’t Matter:
Cuz it’s doesn’t always.
Prose Poetry: stays in paragraph form and keeps to the rules of sentence structure even as it incorporates other poetic devices such as metaphors and rhyme. Read a few here.
Free Verse: if you don’t like rules, this is 4 you. do wut you want 🤘😜. Read a few here.
The Rhythm of Repetition
Another way to create a magically musical feeling of rhythm and flow with words is through repetition. Here’s some ways to create rhythm and flow with words and phrases:
Rhyme: repeats the same sounds at the ends of words. Here are some simple examples of rhyme schemes. (note: some poems use the same rhyme scheme throughout the whole poem while some switch it up):
Alternate: ABCB
Enclosed: ABBA
Mono: AAAA
Coupled: AA BB CC
Alliteration: repeats the same sounds at the beginning of words, such as: poems are perfect with precise purpose.
Repeating whole phrases at the beginning or ending of lines or stanzas. Such as:
When I say this again, I start to understand.
When I say this again, it deepens in my hand.
When I say this again, it really sinks in.
When I say this again, the blossom begins.
Though this overview is just scratching the surface of all the fancy poetry stuff that’s available to inspire us, it’s certainly enough to unlock the door to the rich world of meaning and metaphor that exists in every moment. Enjoy!
Read More About the Foundations of Reflective Art with:
The Heart of Reflective Arts: for peace within and all around