The secret to writing better prose? Read poetry.

Whatever language is native to you, poetry can teach you about language. Poetry can teach you how to be concise, which words trigger a particular emotion (“Be quite.” versus “Shut up!), which words have more impact, and help you build your vocabulary. Also, reading poetry from different countries can offer insight into other people’s experience and how they think.

From old English poets such as Percy Bysshe Shelley (Romantic) to more experimental and political (for his time) poets such as Ezra Pound, there is a poet or collection of poetry for you. There is no reason to be intimidated, and it’s best to begin by learning some of the basics. The best way to learn how to write poetry—or write prose—is to read widely and often. So that is the advice I offer here.

There are different forms of poetry: sonnet, ballad, sestina, epic and many others. All of these were designed to evoke a specific feeling from the reader, and strict forms require creativity and concision from the writer.

My favorite poets are Shakespeare (see his work for traditional forms–his sonnets are awesome!!), William Blake (innocent/Christian themes) Gwendolyn Brooks, Phyllis Wheatley, Nikki Giovanni, Countee Cullen, Warsan Shire, and too many more to list here.

Stop by the Prairie State College Library and start your poetry habit today!

National Poetry Month

Read or write a poem during National Poetry Month.  Here is sample of titles available in the library.

Making poems

Every goodbye ain’t gone: an anthology of innovative poetry by African Americans

Poetry of nursing

“Poetry” in Full Bloom

 

“If I look 
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you” – Pablo Neruda

In 1996, the American Academy of Poets began recognizing the month of April as National Poetry Month. This month long initiative was implemented to bring awareness to the “art of poetry”.  The goal of the academy (in part) is to introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry in innovative ways.  This includes making sure that poetry is part of the school curriculum and obtainable to students.  It is also a way for the academy and other writers to recognize the works of famous poets.

As somewhat of a self-proclaimed poet, I am often moved and inspired by beautiful prose and verse.  I grew up reading books by Shel Silverstein and later became inspired to write about the musings of my own soul.  For me, poetry is uncomplicated.  It is a way to visually express ideas using words.  Some of my favorite poets include:  Pablo Neruda, Ntozake Shange, Sonia Sanchez, Maya Angelou, and Langston Hughes.  It is my belief that writing brings beauty to the mind in much the same way that art brings beauty to the eyes.

If poetry is of interest to you, consider celebrating National Poetry Month by checking out a few poetry books at the PSC Library.  The American Academy of Poets compiled a list of 30 things you could do to recognize poetry as an integral part of the American culture.

April is National Poetry Month

There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away,

Nor any Coursers like a Page Of prancing Poetry – 

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of Toll – 

How frugal is the Chariot

That bears a Human soul.

Emily Dickinson

National Poetry Month was started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.  This month long celebration promotes reading, writing and the distribution of poetry.  This genre can often seem intimidating.  Many readers feel they need a higher understanding of meter, rhyme or imagery to enjoy a good poem.  Nothing could be further from the truth. Just as wonderful music can be enjoyed by a listener with no understanding of music theory, reading poetry can be a moving experience for any reader regardless of background.

There are a multitude of ways to participate in National Poetry Month.  Try reading a book of poetry or start with a single poem. Memorize your favorite verse, ask your friends if they have a favorite poet or poem. Print out a copy of your favorite poem and carry it around in your pocket for a day. Have fun!

The Prairie State College Library has a Poetry Display to help readers delve into the exciting world of poetry.  Here are a few highlights:

Literary Criticism

Writing an essay can be a daunting experience. Especially when you don’t understand the literature or the time period that you are writing on. Writing a paper comparing the poems of Edgar Alan Poe and Walt Whitman will be difficult if you don’t know anything about the author, the 19th century, the author’s contemporaries, or the genres of literature the authors composed. When trying to accomplish such a task it is helpful to call on some very useful resources that we have available to you here at the PSC Library.

We have an excellent collection of literary criticism books, located north of the computers, in our reference section. From contemporary criticism to period specific (19th century; 20th century) or genre specific such as poetry, short story, or drama; We have what you need. Whether you are old school and prefer hard text or have a proclivity to use digital resources, again we have what you need.

We offer the database MagillOnLiterature Plus. This resource gives access to many articles written on the author of certain works and also on individual works themselves. In addition Magill provides the Master Plots I&II Series (which include plot summaries in addition to analysis). This resource also offers encyclopedia articles on authors, literary characters, and settings. We also have the database Biography In-context. This database provides over 600,000 entries updated daily with biographical information, newspaper, and journal articles on many individuals. So if the literary essay is what you are writing, check out these resources as well as many others that we carry. If you have trouble locating them ask your Librarian!

National Poetry Month

Poetry daily : 366 poems from the world’s most popular poetry website

Call #: PS617 .P63

Enjoy poetry all year.

National Poetry Display

National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.

So take the time this April to either participate in any of the Academy of American Poets’ 30 Ways to Celebrate Poetry this April or come into the library and check out some of our displays and resources we have on Poets and Poetry.

Poetry? Poetry.

I don’t have stats on this, but I’m willing to bet that the farther you get from high school, the less likely you are to read much poetry. For one, you no longer have an English teacher forcing you to recognize the difference between iambic pentameter and free verse. For two, as you get farther into your twenties you’re probably not going to get as many scribbled love poems or copy and pasted song lyrics declaring undying devotion. It’s just the way things go. And I think that’s ok. There’s a lot to read–from trashy novels, to the daily news, to celebrity bios. All fun and informative and way less complicated (and less cheesy) than those poems you read in high school.

So why am I writing a blog post about poetry? How can I possibly convince you to overlook all the bad experience you might have had with poetry and try again? Take a minute and think of your current favorite song . You know, the one that gets you out of bed in the morning, that you sing in the shower, that is getting you through your break up, that is set as your ringtone. Ok, you know how that song makes you feel every time you hear it? That’s what poetry can do. It can make you feel that way.