How I fell in love with poetry
When I was in middle school, my mom gave me a book titled One Hundred and One Famous Poems, compiled by Roy J. Cook. It's the most boring-looking book I've ever seen, and actually goes to show that (sometimes) you can't judge a book by its cover.
Before I opened it up, I never really thought much about poetry, but afterward I fell in love with the works of Longfellow, Whitman, Dickinson and especially William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis.
I feel most of the poetry that speaks to me today is accompanied by music. Which makes me wonder what poets a modern anthology would include. Just self-described poets? How about spoken-word artists, rappers, songwriters? What would you include in your own anthology?
Comments
Simon and Garfunkel would have to rank pretty high in my anthology. Their song, "America," is one of the most perfect examples of well-done stream of consciousness writing I've ever seen. And "Kathy's Song,"--please. I could go on for an hour...
Posted by: Erika Robuck | November 10, 2008 9:50 PM
I still love that book Nancy. It's one I take when I expect to be waiting a long time for an appointment or traveling & someone else is driving.
Posted by: Michelle Johnston | November 12, 2008 2:25 PM
Song lyrics and poetry are two different things.
Posted by: Mike | November 13, 2008 4:57 PM
I don't think they're dissimilar, Mike. Many poems are incredibly melodic, including Poe's "The Bells" and Longfellow's "Evangeline." And everyone knows that Homer's epic poems were spoken aloud rather than read. Many of my favorite song lyrics are just as powerful without the accompanying music, and even "The Star-Spangled Banner" began as a poem titled "Defence of Fort McHenry."
I don't think lyrics vs. poetry is that cut and dry.
Posted by: Nancy | November 13, 2008 5:08 PM