In May 2005, I started out writing at the behest of a good friend. I don't know what he saw in my writings that he encouraged me to write. I started as a short story writer. Not that I was any good at that time. But I was eager to learn. I don't know how but I slowly gravitated towards poetry writing. Maybe I was too lazy to write prose, maybe poetry was my calling. I can't answer that. Initially I wrote rhymed poems. That was the only way I could write poetry. After a while I started with free verse. I found that it flowed for me. I am very comfortable with writing this form of poetry.
Not that it does not have any rhythm or rhyme or lyrics but it is not binding in the strictest sense. I tried my hands at haikus. The tight structures disciplined my thoughts in a way I had not thought possible.
I have written sonnets, terza-rimas...classic poetry in modern interpretations. Somewhere down the line, I simply gave up on trying to write classic forms. Maybe I found free verse more to my liking. But now I think I must get back to structured poetry. There is so much beauty in those, so much discipline of the mind. I need to do that. One of my main drawback is I am unable to write long poems. My thoughts go awry after a certain point. I can't concentrate enough.
Maybe structured poetry will get my mind in the right track...What do you say?
Gautami:
ReplyDeleteWriting needs to come completely from within. So it needs to be your choice, what you're comfy with.
I think your free poetry rings true for you, allows you more freedom and is the best stuff you write.
But it doesn't always need to be about poetry either...it can just be you writing with a free hand, just thought.
I agree, within without. I am unable to write when my heart is not in it.
ReplyDeleteAny kind of writing...be it prose or poetry...has to come from the inner urge. That's how it is with me. I will stick to free verse but will occasionally try to discipline myself by trying to write structured poetry.
i'm not very competent to comment on this, but i think you should write what you feel works for you.
ReplyDeletei mean, i'm good at short form japanese poetry but don't feel comfortable with anything longer than 5 lines :)
well, i did write a couple of haibun (short prose coupled with haiku) and free verse poems but that was just on very rare occasions...
polona, I know exactly how you feel.
ReplyDeleteLonger poems gives me the hives.
Gautami, I have never been able to write poetry and I am in awe of anyone that can (and means you, young lady!). Believe me, I have tried my hand at the craft, but what comes out sounds like poetry for little kids - I've never been able to write anything deep. You have the gift, use it in the most excellent way you can which essentially means that even while you must write stuff you're comfortable with, there is no harm in pushing yourself farther just to discover what more you are capable of doing. Have fun with your immense talents!
ReplyDeleteGautami, I think that writing (regardless of the form you choose), just the act of writing, the practice of it, increases one's skill. So to my way of thinking, the most important thing is simply to continue writing. An occasional foray into formal poetry sounds like a great way to "flex different muscles" and to give yourself a little variety. I also agree with within without, writing comes from within. (Wow, that makes an odd sentence!! ;-)
ReplyDeletelotus: thanks but I am not as good as you think. I have a long way to go. I need to lear a few things.
ReplyDeleteLearning is a never ending process.
mb: I agree with you. Writing in any form is ok as long as we give in to the inner urge. Mostly I write what simply forms in my mind. A idea comes and then words simply flow. Sometimes I write raw. I seldom polish asI never get around finishing otherwise.
as others have said - follow your heart
ReplyDeletei prefer free verse
but
like to try structured forms now and then to see if i can do it
cheers