Should Poetry Aim To Be Profound?
By Onyinyechi U.
Poetry Still Life by kvkirillov from Getty Images Created in Canva
“Should Poetry Aim To Be Profound?” was written by Onyinyechi U. and is being posted due to her being the winner of the creative writing poem contest. In the Creative Writing Club we encourage students to write, and share their writings with their fellow Creative Writers. There are specific channels focused on certain themes of writing. In the future there will be more contests like this, so make sure to check our Creative Writing Club in Microsoft Teams!
Please note that clubs are not yet up for this school year! The StuCo Club Coordinators are working hared to get clubs up as soon as possible! To learn more about the plans for clubs this school year, check out our article on the Club Coordinators here!
Should poetry aim to be profound?
Or should it please through sight and sound?
Some poets write believing they
Will be remembered for the way
Their thoughts were in their rhymes expressed.
Thus they have so much jargon pressed,
Into these lines they hope will be,
A landmark of all poetry.
These days the poet writes an ode,
In several minutes, for his mode
Is to cram whatever he can,
With no outline, sketch, or plan.
The poem’s stiff with symbols, themes,
Motifs, and all the author’s dreams.
Basics are ignored, unused,
Leaving all bored and confused.
No meter, rhythm, rhyme, or tune,
The poems drag along, and soon,
The reader’s apt to trash the book,
Without taking a second look.
Of course, the poem is profound,
It serves the reader to confound!
For those who read it must endure
Abstract thoughts, ideas obscure.
A poem should be plain, concise,
At once attractive and precise.
No lengthy words that just confuse,
But simpler ones that will amuse.
Why make the reader scratch his head,
With all the boring lines he read?
Why should he not instead be brought
Poetry rich and finely wrought?
Poetry first should entertain,
A serious tone it should not feign.
All remember silly rhymes,
Relics of those funny times,
In which poets knew to add
Jests to make the readers glad.
Of meter, rhythm, and all the rest,
They must be used, for thoughts expressed
Need those elements to be,
Sweet and charming poetry.
Should poetry aim to be profound?
Or should it please through sight and sound?
However a poet plies his art,
May he touch the reader’s heart!
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