The essay written by Edward Hirsch (How to Read a Poem) provided a comprehensive and solid foundation for my understanding of poetry. His descriptions about common pitfalls really resonated with me, as those were things that held me back from genuinely appreciating the craft. Recalling the frustrations of figuring out the literal meaning of the poems. After reading the essay, I know now that poetry should not be rushed, and the words are meant to “felt” more so than read. We don’t have to figure out the literal meaning of the poem in one reading and that’s okay. I figured that’s the point. To write creatively and freely without pressure and to show the reader to allow themselves to get lost in the lines and the imagery. To search for questions or answers and play around. That you don’t have to think too hard but also use your imagination to experience and feel things that can’t be felt directly.
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2 thoughts on “Alex Barrios- Discussion 11”
Alex, I agree that Hirsch article is extremely helpful in demystifying poetry. He seems to understand the strange kind of apprehension many people feel about approaching poetry. I appreciate the idea that one doesn’t have to “crack the code” or completely and totally understand a poem. Sometimes a reader gets a feeling rather than an explanation.
Hi Alex,
I’ve also always had trouble trying to decipher literal meaning in poetry when I should have been thinking of it more figuratively. It seems like a lot of poetry has this tinge of secrecy to them. I think that makes them fun to read, but, it definitely does get frustrating sometimes.