There’s something about poetry that stirs the soul. Something about the lyrical course of words that more than paints a picture, more than inspires imagination, that reaches deep within to the root of feeling and plucks upon the strings of emotion.
I will admit to being sadly ill-read when it comes to poetry. I have not spent hours pouring through poetry books nor could I write a half-decent poem to save my life. (I have tried many a time and most attempts ended in woeful failure – though thankfully my life was not upon the line!) But I have recently discovered poetry as yet another form of storytelling – one that I don’t exactly excel at, but one that I can appreciate none the less.
As a fantasy writer, an appreciation of poetry, especially in regards to epic poetry and mythological verse, can be quite useful. I have always loved epics such as Beowulf, or Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, or the snippets of Tolkien’s Lay of Leithian in the Silmarillion. But I intend to expand my poetical palate still further in an attempt to enrich my own writing. So I shall ask you a favor. If you have pursued a life of poetical literacy farther than I have, would you care to share the titles of your favorites in the comments?
Anne Elisabeth Stengl says
I think you, as a fantasy storyteller, would love "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came" by Robert Browning. One of my favorites!
Also, Percy Shelley has some gorgeous pieces. And "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti . . . . So many wonderful poets!
Charley Robson says
BIG fan over here – especially of epic poetry. Here's a wee list of my favourites:
"Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" by Lord Byron – epic adventure, protagonist seeking self improvement, absolutely STUNNING rhyme and language.
In fact, most anything by Alfred Lord Tennyson, but "Ulysses" is my favourite.
Also, Keats, Shelley, Coleridge and Wordsworth. The Romantic poets are, a mon avis, the greatest thing ever to happen to poetry. But that's just me, hee hee.
Enjoy!
Jake says
Robert Frost is fantastic, and Emily Dickinson. They both have collected anthologies of their work. Edgar Allan Poe is excellent – especially the infamous poem "The Raven".
You could look up collected anthologies of poetry if you wanted a smattering of everything. "A Child's Anthology of Poetry" is a good one that I read this year. ^_^
suzannestock.org says
You've hit on a passion of mine, girl! You definitely need to check out all of the above (especially Tennyson)! If you're going to get serious about studying poetry, a few of Shakespeare's sonnets need to be included with the rest mentioned here as well. (Even if it hurts! ;)) I like Sonnet 29 [When in Disgrace with Fortune and Men's Eyes].
I also tend to love modern poetry that plays with sound like John Updike's "Player Piano" or Gerard Manley Hopkins' "God's Grandeur." Langston Hughes' "Harlem" is a must-read also.
Joan Ark says
Keep doing what you're doing!
A Writer's Nakama
http://writing-1234.blogspot.com/
Gillian Adams says
Thanks for the recommendations, I'll be sure to look those up! :)
I grew up reading Shakespeare, so I'm fairly familiar with his sonnets, but I haven't read much beyond that or the occasional Tennyson. I'm excited to check out all these suggestions.