A case can be made that emotional stimulus is at the root of all poetry, and poems of emotion are all that there are. Whether the subject is life, physical love, spiritual connection with a deity or another human being, or war, people have always tried to immortalize events in words, both spoken or written.
The Bible is full of poetry, as are other books of religious instruction and inspiration. The creation story, with its reiteration of the evenings and the mornings of each succeeding day, sets the tone. The Song of Moses celebrates God's victory at the Red Sea. The Song of Solomon celebrates human love, both physical and spiritual, within the framework of God's p;ans and purposes. David cries out to the Lord in the psalms, which are full of heartfelt praise, repentance, thanksgiving, and promise.
Our literary heritage contains epic poems that were first delivered orally and later recorded. Undoubtedly many more existed but have been lost. Scholars are still trying to record ancient oral traditions from scattered races and tribes. The emotional content and people's connection to their past gives these tales great impact and meaning.
Poetry helps us by making great events or even fleeting things memorable. All of us know some poetry, no matter how hard we try to avoid the subject. Everyone knows that the words 'No man is an island' come from some poem or other; no one would try to pass that phrase off as original. 'To be or not to be' is another phrase that resonates down the ages, whether it is on stage or as a playground joke.
This is why poetry is part of education. We remember important events that have been made the subject of a famous poem, even if we forget dates and other pertinent data. When our emotions are stirred, we remember that Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War or that Paul Revere was an American patriot.
Poetic accounts of great, passionate love resonate with us because we all have our own love stories. New love, enduring love, and lost love are themes that echo down the ages. Although they are not new, poets seem to find a way to bring them into focus over and over in ways that surprise us with their impact and truth. 'How do I love you? Let me count the ways.' These simple words set a tone of intimacy that affects virtually everyone who lets them resonate in their heart and soul. The effect of poetry on us is amazing and undeniable.
For most of human history, man had leisure hours (maybe only because it was too dark or too inclement to work) and poetry helped to pass the time around the fire or on long journeys. Today much of that down time is occupied by television or the internet. Poetry is still being read and written, however, and hopefully it always will be. We need this affirmation and exposition of our emotional nature to be complete.
Poems of emotion - the only kind there are, actually - bring out the best of mankind or help us deal with the worst.
The Bible is full of poetry, as are other books of religious instruction and inspiration. The creation story, with its reiteration of the evenings and the mornings of each succeeding day, sets the tone. The Song of Moses celebrates God's victory at the Red Sea. The Song of Solomon celebrates human love, both physical and spiritual, within the framework of God's p;ans and purposes. David cries out to the Lord in the psalms, which are full of heartfelt praise, repentance, thanksgiving, and promise.
Our literary heritage contains epic poems that were first delivered orally and later recorded. Undoubtedly many more existed but have been lost. Scholars are still trying to record ancient oral traditions from scattered races and tribes. The emotional content and people's connection to their past gives these tales great impact and meaning.
Poetry helps us by making great events or even fleeting things memorable. All of us know some poetry, no matter how hard we try to avoid the subject. Everyone knows that the words 'No man is an island' come from some poem or other; no one would try to pass that phrase off as original. 'To be or not to be' is another phrase that resonates down the ages, whether it is on stage or as a playground joke.
This is why poetry is part of education. We remember important events that have been made the subject of a famous poem, even if we forget dates and other pertinent data. When our emotions are stirred, we remember that Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War or that Paul Revere was an American patriot.
Poetic accounts of great, passionate love resonate with us because we all have our own love stories. New love, enduring love, and lost love are themes that echo down the ages. Although they are not new, poets seem to find a way to bring them into focus over and over in ways that surprise us with their impact and truth. 'How do I love you? Let me count the ways.' These simple words set a tone of intimacy that affects virtually everyone who lets them resonate in their heart and soul. The effect of poetry on us is amazing and undeniable.
For most of human history, man had leisure hours (maybe only because it was too dark or too inclement to work) and poetry helped to pass the time around the fire or on long journeys. Today much of that down time is occupied by television or the internet. Poetry is still being read and written, however, and hopefully it always will be. We need this affirmation and exposition of our emotional nature to be complete.
Poems of emotion - the only kind there are, actually - bring out the best of mankind or help us deal with the worst.
About the Author:
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