The Power of Poetry
By Ava F.
text poetry written with a dip pen by nito100 from Getty Images Created in Canva
Let us take a moment to consider how literature has affected our society. It has allowed us to learn and speak out about what we believe to be important. It often reflects events of the time period that it was written in which gives readers a closer look into history through a form other than history books. Literature provides us with the opportunity to read the opinions and perspectives of diverse people through different times and a closer look at the reality of our world during different periods.
We often assume the most impactful literature has come in the form of novels and longer pieces. However, a few sentences can have the same impact as three hundred pages. Writing just a few sentences can be even more impactful as it leaves you to recover from the punch that the precisely and carefully chosen words delivered. Because of this, many writers have used poetry to express their views and thoughts in a concise and impactful way.
Aubry, a student here at NSA, was challenged in one of her classes to write a piece of poetry following the same structure as, “The Golf Links” poem by Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn that addresses a social issue. She chose to write about the Troubles—a religious conflict that lasted for about 30 years from the late 1960s to 1990s between the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. The conflict caused a great deal of violence, and Belfast became a very dangerous city. She found this conflict interesting and was inspired by a film, Belfast, written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh and loosely based on Branagh’s life in Belfast as a young boy during the conflict.
Aubry’s poem (untitled):
“On those peaceful streets so near the city square
In the August of ’69
Protestant boys run in terror and fright
As Catholic men with weapons in hand draw nigh.”
She drew inspiration for the settings in this poem through interviews where Branagh discusses his memory of the Troubles. Aubry said, explaining her poem, “[I]t starts on peaceful streets where families are going about their normal lives, and I decided to put the city square in to show that there are probably tensions there which might interrupt the normalcy on these streets nearby.” The Protestant boys are targeted by the prepared Catholic men. “This conflict caused divisions between the two Christian denominations, and I wanted to show the seriousness of this conflict.”
One of the challenges that Aubry faced was making sure that she did the history of this conflict justice. She said, “Since I have no ancestors from Ireland, I do not have any connection with the conflict, so what I didn't want to do was write something that didn't show what this conflict was.”
Aubry wanted to send the message that we should be at peace with everyone no matter who they are. She pulls from the Bible saying, “In Romans chapter 12, Paul says that we must ‘live at peace with everyone’, and I hope from the poem, it is shown that there is hope for a conflict like this to lead to reconciliation for both conflicting sides.”
Literature was used often in the past to speak out about social issues, but does it still have the same effect today? While style and form may have changed to conform to our society today, literature is absolutely still used as a way for people to speak out. Aubry said, “Unlike some other mediums, literature, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc., has a way of speaking to an audience on a very unique level that is different for everyone.” Words are impactful. When combined, they can be sharp, dull, flamboyant, etc., and when used successfully, can speak out in a unique way. Languages are constantly changing and evolving through time. While literature through language will continue to do the same, we can be confident it will continue to be used to express beliefs and speak out on important matters.
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Ava F. is a senior who has attended NSA for three years and this is her first year on the Navigator. She lives in the Middle East with her parents and younger brother. She loves learning about other cultures and hopes to pursue a career that will allow her to travel or live abroad. In her free time she enjoys horseback riding, boxing, learning Arabic, reading, and painting.