Recently I read a poem written by a very well known poet who’s still alive. Frankly, it was horrendous. I don’t need to mention the name of the poet. There’s a lot of bad stuff out there by poets trying to pass it off as “sophisticated” or “real to life.” The fact is it’s drivel. Poetry that is nothing more than lines straight from a condensed essay with random space breaks does not appeal to me. That is not art. True art represents the order present in the universe. Pseudo-art tries to destroy it.
The problem our society faces in regards to poetry is this: poetry is dead, yet we cannot escape it. It’s part of our music, advertising, and tradition. Almost all of us have a favorite poem. Then why is it that we don’t have poets today who write stuff for us that we enjoy? Is it because all the poets are bad? Of course not. It’s because there’s no market for poetry. Poetry is simply too easy to write, and too difficult to sell.
What we need is a revival in poetry. We need the old fashioned fun, easy to memorize fairy tales with new, creative, 21st century twists. We need hope, legend, and humor to come together in a form that is neither mind-numbing nor mindless. What we need is for something ancient to be reborn in a modern context.
That is why I support the return of epic poetry. Epic poetry, well written, can be fun and entertaining, just like an action novel. In fact, if you wanted, it could be an action novel. It could be a romance, suspense, or a murder mystery. The possibilities are endless. Epic poetry can return, and it can do so with lots of power.
Interesting observation! I agree with you. While I do not write the most consumable or understandable poetry I have for years written for the pleasure of family, friends, and importantly myself. There is a pleasure in the meter of poetry that is a reflection of the human spirit. That said I do miss epic poetry. While at a university I had a lead part in Stephen Vincent Benet’s epic poem “John Brown’s Body”. I still remember the verse. I do not find that those who propose a poetic ability today have the same capacity to write the such forceful poetic storytelling. Most of it is self exploratory drivel. Thanks for your post.