How to Fall in Love with Poetry: A Beginner’s Guide
How to Read Poetry
Many of us start exploring poetry in school, and for some, it blossoms into a genuine hobby or even a passion. However, reading poetry outside of a structured academic environment can be challenging. How do you read, enjoy, analyze, and remember the poems you love? Should you read ten poems in one evening or just one? Do you need to sit by a fireplace in a velvet robe, surrounded by mahogany bookshelves to be considered “someone who reads poetry”? How do you even begin?
“There is no right way to start,” says Pádraig Ó Tuama, host of a new poetry podcast from the project “On Being.” “Poetry is a vast ocean. No one can know everything about it. So if you’re curious, start where you are.”
How to Choose Poetry for Yourself
Poetry is a personal experience for both the writer and the reader. The world is full of lyrical beauty, but where should a beginner start?
Poetry anthologies are an excellent place to begin. Ó Tuama recommends visiting your local bookstore or exploring websites where poems are categorized by theme and era. To satisfy your craving for new works, you can find local literary journals or subscribe to daily poetry emails here.
Once you find a favorite poet, Ó Tuama suggests exploring the authors who influenced their work: “The internet can help you discover who had a poetic influence on your favorite poet. For example, reading Seamus Heaney might lead you to Patrick Kavanagh. Reading Tracy K. Smith might lead you to Emily Dickinson.”
How to Read Poetry
Visually Assess the Title and Form of the Poem
Before reading a poem, take a look at how much space it occupies on the page. The most appealing ones often fit on a single page and are structured neatly. Next, read the title of the poem—what emotions does it evoke? How does the title relate to the form of the poem? Now, forget your expectations and start reading.
Read the Poem Like Anything Else
Reading poetry doesn’t require a high-efficiency approach; you can read it like any other text. Absorb everything that comes to you at first glance. Explore the feelings that arise as you read.
Reread for Meaning
If a poem captivates you or stirs your emotions, you can uncover more information during a second reading. Look up definitions of unfamiliar words and examine all the footnotes. If there is a historical context or the poem refers to a specific event you’re unfamiliar with, review that information as well. This knowledge adds weight to the poem and makes each reading more respectful.
Read to Hear the Sound
Next, try reading the poem aloud or find a recording of someone reading it online. This is where the music of poetry comes alive, and you can feel the shape of each word and line as you move through it. Find opportunities to read the poem in different ways and at different paces so you can settle into the natural flow of the poem.
Add Context to See the Full Picture
Go back to the beginning. How does the title influence the poem? Does the form of the poem have anything in common with its meaning? Delve into the author’s history; look at the publication date and consider the world around the poem when it was first published.
“I’m always interested in what the poem is about,” says Ó Tuama. “Why did this poem need to be written? What was put into it? What idea were they trying to achieve? Approaching a poem with such curiosity, I draw parts of my own story.”
Remember, each of us is captivated by something unique as we embark on the journey into the world of poetry.
