Yes, it's a thing I'd love to read more about, knowing little about poetry. I'd love to hear more on how much the actual formatting plays a role in constructing some poems.
If it’s done well, definitely impactful. And I think this poem is a good example. I think there are many examples where it feels distracting though. Of course what is “well” for one is “distracting” for another, so….
I think that the format of a poem can have a strong impact on the interpretation and the impression it leaves you with. I have written a few essays on poetry if you’re interested.
Ann, If you read these essays, you will notice some repetition of details and for that I apologize. One day I hope to put together a book on writing poetry and when I do there will be EDITING! Here are six essays on writing poetry. I have another one coming out this month.
Nathan, I’m a beginner, too. Like you, my brain has been formed in the sciences. When it comes to poetry, I just know what I like :) I love words and the potency of words. Someone said that poems are the “shapes that thoughts come in.”
The train is a strong image of the way life can line-up behind a single decision. The poet reminds us of how limiting a "one-track mind" can be.
Do you think the formatting leans into this idea, too? A singular line of text running vertically, almost, each so narrow.
Definitely. A train of words. I love the way line breaks and white space can help shape the thoughts inside a poem.
Yes, it's a thing I'd love to read more about, knowing little about poetry. I'd love to hear more on how much the actual formatting plays a role in constructing some poems.
If it’s done well, definitely impactful. And I think this poem is a good example. I think there are many examples where it feels distracting though. Of course what is “well” for one is “distracting” for another, so….
I think that the format of a poem can have a strong impact on the interpretation and the impression it leaves you with. I have written a few essays on poetry if you’re interested.
Yes, please! I’d love to read what you’ve written.
Ann, If you read these essays, you will notice some repetition of details and for that I apologize. One day I hope to put together a book on writing poetry and when I do there will be EDITING! Here are six essays on writing poetry. I have another one coming out this month.
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/on-writing-poetry
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/sunday-essay-on-publishing-and-poetry
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/prose-on-poetry-2
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/essay-on-writing-poetry
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/this-is-an-essay-on-one-aspect-of
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/tantrums-and-editing
Nathan, I’m a beginner, too. Like you, my brain has been formed in the sciences. When it comes to poetry, I just know what I like :) I love words and the potency of words. Someone said that poems are the “shapes that thoughts come in.”
That’s a good poem. Because of our largely unrealized lives I would change the last word to “realized”
Oooh, interesting!