2 lines stuck out for me in an interview with Tim Seibles published in ODU's student newspaper:
Line 1---"I think we’ve entered a sort of golden age of poetry."
Now, I don't write poetry, but I read it and turn to it often when I am experiencing a strong emotion. Recently, I wrote several senryus (I guess that's the plural form.) that helped me come to terms with a devastating loss. While those short poems (senryu) that are designed to deal with human emotion may never reach an audience, they served as an important conduit for me. I think this golden age that Tim speaks of is reflective of how society sees poetry as healing, (whether you are a writer or reader) as a powerful mode of expression that can be so timely.
Once, I asked celebrated author Jacqueline Woodson how she prepares to write. She said, "I read poetry."
Line 2---
"...the most important thing you can do in service of your art is to READ deeply and widely. There’s so much to learn from other writers, so many ways we might be awakened to what words can do.”
I like Tim's response to the question about what novice writers like me can do to improve our craft.
What if in classrooms we stopped making reading an opportunity to fill in bubbles, and instead we focused on honing our craft? Taking a risk and trying some of the techniques authors use? Putting the focus back on learning to write rather than recite?
I don't know....just a thought.
Line 1---"I think we’ve entered a sort of golden age of poetry."
Now, I don't write poetry, but I read it and turn to it often when I am experiencing a strong emotion. Recently, I wrote several senryus (I guess that's the plural form.) that helped me come to terms with a devastating loss. While those short poems (senryu) that are designed to deal with human emotion may never reach an audience, they served as an important conduit for me. I think this golden age that Tim speaks of is reflective of how society sees poetry as healing, (whether you are a writer or reader) as a powerful mode of expression that can be so timely.
Once, I asked celebrated author Jacqueline Woodson how she prepares to write. She said, "I read poetry."
Line 2---
"...the most important thing you can do in service of your art is to READ deeply and widely. There’s so much to learn from other writers, so many ways we might be awakened to what words can do.”
I like Tim's response to the question about what novice writers like me can do to improve our craft.
What if in classrooms we stopped making reading an opportunity to fill in bubbles, and instead we focused on honing our craft? Taking a risk and trying some of the techniques authors use? Putting the focus back on learning to write rather than recite?
I don't know....just a thought.
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