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Poetry Matters
Poetry Is Meant To Be Accessible
And to be transcendental, but it needs to be understood first.
I came here to be a poet. When I first joined this platform in December 2020, I came to find an audience, and I am grateful for finding that here. But I think it’s time to explain why I came, and just why it is I choose to stay.
It really goes back to the beginning. Just why do we read poetry? And is why we read poetry also related to how we write it? Is poetry meant to be more refined, literary, and exclusive, or more everyday, relatable, and accessible?
In a recent tweet, I asked, “What kind of poetry do you like? I’m really into rhyme and rhythm and wordplay, but if you try to shove too many descriptions in my face, I think it’s “extra”…it’s not a literary essay.”
Then, I added, “Am I the only one who is not a fan of poetry frills? I like my poetry the way I speak and think — not peppered in words I’ve never heard of before.”
While some responded that good poetry is meant to do both, some did say they also appreciate simplicity; whereas others played devil’s advocate and pointed out that it’s never too late to learn a new word.
In addition, there is also the camp that believes that any good poetry will find a way to live and breathe in both circles — literary and more “mainstream” (for lack of a better word). And yet, I still like my poetry raw and vulnerable. Deep and simple. Playful and engaging. Rhyming and rhythmic.
But regardless of what type of poetry you like, the most important part is that you need to know your audience.
And so if you’re writing on a mainstream platform like Instagram, or Medium, then I think it’s safe to say that you need to play to that audience. That’s also why I advocate for more accessible poetry.
On the other hand, if you’re targeting more of a niche audience and readership like a literary journal, then, by all means, I would advocate for getting out that fancy-schmancy dictionary.
Otherwise, I don’t come to Medium for Yeats, or Shakespeare. I come…
