po·et·ry
noun
\ˈpō-ə-trē, -i-trē also pȯ(-)i-trē\
i. the writings of a poet : poems
ii. something that is very beautiful or graceful
According
to Merriam Webster Dictionary (2013), poetry is defined as
productions of a poet, in metrical writing (verse) or writings that
formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in
language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response
through meaning, sound, and rhythm. The end product of a poetry
frequently embodies the beauty of expression alongside its deep
intrinsic meaning.
“Poetry
should surprise by a fine excess and not by singularity—it should
strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts, and
appear almost a remembrance.”
- John Keats
The
Greek term 'poeiesis'
on the other hand was comprehended as 'making'
thus
'hemopoiesis' which
concisely understood as “the
making of poetry.” Regarded
as a form of literary art, the construction of poetry utilized a
great amount of aesthetic and rhythm, and not to forget rhetorical
devices such as metaphor and simile. According to Aristotle in
Poetics, “the
greatest thing by far is to be a master of metaphor”.
Elements
What
makes a poem, a poem? Now there are several fundamental elements of a
poetry. These elements are utilized greatly in any construction of
poetry products, siginificantly justifying its identity as 'poetry'.
In
a compact perspective,
these
elements include;
- Stanzas
- Form (lyric, narrative & descriptive)
- Sound patterns (rhyme)
- Rhythm & Meter
- Word sounds (alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, repetition, parallel structure)
- Meaning (concreteness, particularity)
- Denotation and connotation
- Figurative/connotative devices
 |
| Pyramid Reading: Elements of Poetry |
Forms
Poetry,
since its emergence have evolved immeasurably throughout the globe,
establishing various type of forms within many cultures. This
development relies eminently on a set of rules constructed by a
closed, received poetic forms, rhyming scheme, meter and other
various elements. Here below are some of the most notable poetic
forms which survived and existed still;
- Sonnet
- Shi
- Villanelle
- Tanka
- Haiku
- Ode
- Ghazal
Genres
Additionally,
generic forms of poetry are frequently classified or divided by
various genres
and
subgenres.
This
term is used in referrence to tradition/classification of any poetry
products fundamentally relies on style, thematic concept or any
relevant characteristics. A study of genres may provide a perfect
identification of one work to another. Genres of poetry include;
- Narrative
- Epic
- Dramatic
- Lyric
- Elegy
- Verse fable
- Prose
- Speculative
Reflections
Here i include an interesting satirical elegy done by Jonathan Swift, a well known Irish poet of Augustan age. Note on how he satirically constructed the form of elegy, which meant to be sad and mournful.
A Satirical Elegy on the Death of a Late Famous General by Jonathan Swift.
His Grace! impossible! what dead!
Of old age too, and in his bed!
And could that mighty warrior fall?
And so inglorious, after all!
Well, since he’s gone, no matter how,
The last loud trump must wake him now:
And, trust me, as the noise grows stronger,
He’d wish to sleep a little longer.
And could he be indeed so old
As by the newspapers we’re told?
Threescore, I think, is pretty high;
’Twas time in conscience he should die
This world he cumbered long enough;
He burnt his candle to the snuff;
And that’s the reason, some folks think,
He left behind so great a stink.
Behold his funeral appears,
Nor widow’s sighs, nor orphan’s tears,
Wont at such times each heart to pierce,
Attend the progress of his hearse.
But what of that, his friends may say,
He had those honours in his day.
True to his profit and his pride,
He made them weep before he died.
Come hither, all ye empty things,
Ye bubbles raised by breath of kings;
Who float upon the tide of state,
Come hither, and behold your fate.
Let pride be taught by this rebuke,
How very mean a thing’s a Duke;
From all his ill-got honours flung,
Turned to that dirt from whence he sprung.