4.18.2013

P is for (I don't really like) POETRY

As a rule, I'm not a fan of poetry.  I can hear the writing world shriek(!) at that sentence.  I know there are readers right now who are clicking away, thinking "Good grief, how can she possibly call herself a writer, if she doesn't like poetry?!?"  Apparently, this is a huge deficit.

I just don't get poetry.  I even had an English teacher for a mom, and I still don't get it.   I've read different kinds of poetry, studied it in college English courses, and I always think, why don't they just say what they want to say?  Why all the cryptic symbolism, the mostly non-rhyming words, the blocked off stanzas?  I've tried...and I just don't get it.  I don't have the poetry wire in my brain.

Or, so I thought.  Then I discovered Shel Silverstein, author of many childrens' books.  I present to you now...my favorite poem.  

                             There's too many kids in this tub. 
                         There's too many elbows to scrub.
                         I just washed a behind that I'm sure wasn't mine.
                        There's too many kids in this tub. 

Now, that's a poem.
 

 

21 comments:

grtlyblesd said...

Love Shel Silverstein! We are studying Japan, so we just learned about haiku. Short and simple, unlike the page long poems I used to pen in high school.

Chancelet said...

LOL! Great post. It can be hard for me to read poetry (even though I do write some at times), but I do find some that reach me.

I'm sure every person who reads this post will think, "Just read this poem of mine and see what you think!" I'd love for you to read one of mine. :) If you'd like check this one out: http://nancylarondajohnson.blogspot.com/2012/05/night-sky-poetry.html

Writer’s Mark

Retired Knitter said...

I kind of feel the same way about poetry. Except when it adds to the smile factor. If you wrote out the ideas of the poem you shared in regular text, it wouldn't add to the smile factor like this simple poem.

And as far as being a writer and not liking poems concern? It is like being an oil painter and not liking sculpture. I don't see this as a problem, more like a preference!

Juli said...

I love poetry.

And that one is brilliance.

orneryswife said...

Well, I can't say I love poetry, but I grew up with a cowboy poet. After WWII he worked as a saddlemaker and each week the shop he worked for had a new ad on the radio. He would whip out a rhyme while the copy editor stood there waiting. Some of them were pretty good! He was the person who made me appreciate dictionary reading and writing.

I enjoy Shel Silverstein, but the long epic poems don't do much for me. Happy P day!
tm

Michelle said...

Shel is my favorite poet. Right now, one of his books is sitting on my couch. I got it out because one of my young nephews was visiting...and I've kept it out because I love to read his poems.

Rita said...

I prefer poems that are more like prose and tell a story--like the bathtub dilemma--LOL! :)

Jerralea said...

Mare, you and I are so alike! I don't get poetry either.

I prefer humorous poetry like the Shel Silverstein poem. Or Ogden Nash, I love me some Ogden Nash.

Hey, I gave you a shout out today on my blog when I wrote ... a limerick!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful honest and funny post! loved it :)

Dana Martin said...

Laughing... out... loud!

This was adorable! I love that you freely admit that you don't like poetry. I felt like you, as well, until I took a (read: forced upon me) honors poetry class in college, where the instructor had us (read: forced us) to learn to deconstruct poems. Then, they became like a mystery or a puzzle to me. Now, I actually enjoy them... but I don't seek them out intentionally.

Cute post! Love it!

Dana at Waiter, drink please!

Emmy said...

YEA!! I am right there with you, not a poetry fan either! Unless it rhymes and is fun, which not many poems are.

Love Shel Silverstein!

Unknown said...

I agree with you on all accounts. I do love "fun" poetry!

Marianne said...

Oh, Mare. We are ONE on this. I have TWO English degrees and can't stand most poetry.

But I do love me some Shel.

Jenelle Leanne said...

hahaha, hey, I'm a writer AND an English major, and I just can't stand Charles Dickens... so you're not alone in being a little outside the box.

I do love poetry... particularly song lyrics. I really like poetry to rhyme, most of the time. haha.

I love Shel Silverstein too! and Dr. Seuss!

Elizabeth said...

LOL
I'm afraid you won't like my "Q" post tomorrow.

Elise Fallson said...

LOL! That is a great poem and love the humor in it. Shel Silverstein is so talented.

A-Z participant blogging from Elise Fallson

netablogs said...

Now, THAT'S a good poem! ;) I enjoy poetry as long as it's accessible -- meaning, I 'get it'. This one hits the mark ;)

Unknown said...

Love, Love, LOVE this post. Every single word I'm 100% in agreement on. It's a relief to know I'm not alone.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

I am not a fan of poetry either, liked the poem at the end though

Ann Hinds said...

I have to be in the mood to read poetry. I haven't been in the mood for several years. I do like the one you posted. No brain work involved. I get it.

http://completelycalifornia.blogspot.com/

Christine said...

For the A to Z challenge, I stumbled upon a blog post which included a lengthy poem she liked. At the end she asked about our own poetry and favorite poets. Shel is the only poet I enjoy. Where the Sidewalk Ends is the best book of poetry ever.