What Even Is a Poet? These Words and Words and Words

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For a wonderful example of the extent to which poetry can reach, refer to Marshall S. Flam’s Wordle Limericks.

What is a poet? That’s always been a question that circulates here and there. Furthermore, what does it mean to be a poet? What does it take to be one? Is it the formal education, or would simple mastery of language do? If one does not have either but has been recognized by others as a figure of poetry–does that count? Perhaps poetry is something that is more ethereal, something more innate? Is poetry inside only a few of us, or does it sit quietly in all of us?

These are the questions that we’d like to ask in this article.

These Words and Words and Words

At its very core, poetry is an art. More specifically, it is the art of language. If there is no language, there is no poetry. Can it be said that if there is no poetry, there is no language, too? Perhaps. Every work of poetry is an act of manipulation. It is the arranging of sequences of words in a particular order to convey a particular emotion or experience. Through poetry, a poet explores the relations of words with themselves and with people. Poetry evokes emotions and inspires thoughts through these investigations and creations.

The poet is a master of language (perhaps languages if they profess to be proficient in others). They are people who have a keen eye for the flow and rhythm of speech and the beauty of the written word.

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What Even Is a Poet? A Man of Vision

The notion of perspective and vision is inherently tied to the craft of poetry and the work that has come out of it. Thus, a poet should be in possession of an insightful pair of eyes. The ability to see the world in a fresh and imaginative way is important for any would-be poet. Without it, one’s poetry is derivative and stale–just another cliché arrangement of words that have been said before and will continue to be said without passion or energy.

Poets are known for their seemingly preternatural and inventive approach to associating one idea with another. Of course, this is not limited to poets, as other creatives and intellectuals have this ability, but poetry does so with a certain flair and panache, most probably because of their command of language and their need to challenge what is conventional and what is normal. In this sense, a poet should also seek the truth. Someone who does not have the will to understand themselves and their world better cannot be a poet. How can one give a unique outlook of reality if they can’t even bring themselves to learn more about it?

_{Photo by Anastasiya Badun}

What Even Is a Poet? A Master of Communication

All form of art is communication. Poetry is nothing different. As a tool for communication, poetry is uniquely powerful since almost everyone is aware of language and has some knowledge of it. Through poetry, what should be difficult emotions, ideas, and experiences to convey becomes actionable and precise. The nuances of the human experience can be easily articulated through poetry.

Poetry also acts as a bridge, as all forms of communication are in a way. Every work of poetry is informed by the poet who poured themselves into its creation. As such, what is made is a culmination of their experiences and their perspectives. These include their cultural backgrounds. A poet who is devoutly faithful will, no doubt, create a poem that is suffused with his devoutness. Similarly, a poet who might be an atheist has poems that are atheistic in essence.

The work of poetry helps people from disparate points of view to connect with one another more deeply, fostering a better understanding of other human perspectives.

There Is a Poet Inside All of Us

While there are certain people who are more intuitively inclined toward poetic expression, the reality is that everyone has the capacity for poetry. We are all humans, and all humans experience emotions, have thoughts, and make observations of the world. These are the true factors that make a poet.

Marshall S. Flam’s Wordle Limericks

is a brilliant anthology of poems, each a work derived from the daily instances of the game Wordle.

This link will take you to the order page.