My Thoughts on Poetry

¶ … Sonnet: Shakespeare's Sonnet 129 I selected this sonnet because it is different from typical sonnets in that it is so angry. Shakespeare is writing not about love but about lust and the awful consequences it can bring to one who submits to it. It is also very graphic but in a subtle and elegant way, such as in the line ("the expense of spirit in a waste of shame").

Shakespeare's conclusion about lust is that while it is fun ("the heaven") it is also bad for one's physical and spiritual health ("this hell"). To me, this poem is a big warning sign to keep control of the passions. 1 Sound Poem: Hugo Ball's "Gadji beri bimba" This poem is about how words are just sounds, noise, without meaning. It is a Dada poem. Dada is an art movement that satirized the very concept of art. Thus, Ball writes a poem that is just babble -- baby sounds.

Dada is a good joke, but this should not be considered poetry -- that's demeaning to poetry and real poets. Ball and the Dadaists are jokesters. I only chose this poem because the name Hugo Ball sounded nice. 1 Concrete Poem: George Herbert's "The Altar" I chose this poem because it was older (16th century). It is a poem about the heart being an altar to God. Herbert was an Anglican priest and his spirituality resonates in this poem.

It is a little too country priest-ish for me though and perhaps a little too cute. Considering that England was full of "broken altars" at this time and full of real spilled blood, this poem's cute factor becomes more irritating. Perhaps if it weren't a concrete poem, it might be more tolerable.

1 Poem about Death: Emily Dickenson's "I Heard a Fly Buzz -- When I Died" Emily Dickinson does what Herbert doesn't: she gets to the heart of things in a real, mature, heart-felt way without having to get cute about it. Dickinson explores the topic of death and despair in this poem and anyone can relate to it who has ever had concerns about dying or the afterlife or faith in God or confidence in one's self.

To me, the poem is about the fear of being on the verge of eternity and suddenly being overwhelmed by doubt and losing faith. "I could not see to see" -- this is a powerful line and rings true. Faith is a mystery for sure and Dickinson does not shy away from that fact one bit. 1 Poem about War: Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line This poem is actually a film but film critics have called it a "war poem" so I think I can too.

It sounds like a poem with characters saying things like, "O my soul, let me be in you now" and "If I never meet you in this life, let me feel the lack; a glance from your eyes and my life will be yours." If that's not poetry, I don't know what it is. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite movies and one of my favorite poems. 1 Poem about Love: Old Testament's "Song of Solomon" This is the best love poetry ever written, in my opinion.

It is so sensual.