Why Poetry?
Jenny is busy this week so I am going to take over Jenny’s Notebook for the next little while. And who am I, you may well ask. I am Lisa, Jenny’s business development consultant and fellow poet.
As you can imagine, Jenny and I have many conversations about poetry. We ask each other questions like: do we create meaning in a poem, or is it already there, what makes a poem beautiful, and does poetry create understanding.
There are of course as many different answers to those questions as there are poets. No matter what questions you ask or what your answer, one thing remains certain - poetry remains an enduring form of communication. As ancient as language itself poems have always told the stories of humans and their relationship to the world around them.
We may not use them to chant genealogies and laws so much these days but we do still use poetry to help those around us understand what it is like to us in our community. A few succinct combinations of words and a thoughtful layout has the capacity to give the reader a good peek behind the curtain.
Being understood is a basic human need, it makes us feel safe and acknowledges our contribution to those around us. We want to be seen. An invisible life may appeal for a time but ultimately it will lead to profound loss and loneliness. Our health deteriorates and our existence becomes untenable.
As someone who has had many challenges with social stability and mental health, I use writing my own poetry as a way to sort through the thoughts that are crowding me. A nice long walk and sound intention to reflect on what is haranguing me and I can almost guarantee to create a poem that captures my confusion and resulting clarity.
I like that I am leaving breadcrumbs of clues about my life and my interpretation of life for future generations. A way for people to get a little insight into my world even if I am no longer here. I like to hope that some of my words will create conversations around difficult topics, and that these conversations will both bring peace to someone who sees themselves reflected in my words, and help create change through the voice of lived experience.
Poetry is a way for me to provide representation. When we see ourselves reflected in the arts: through words, on screens and in dance, we find it easier to accept the parts of ourselves we are tempted to turn away from. We close the gap between shame and acceptance. We carve out a little space for admitting that just maybe, we are okay as we are.
