Why Poetry? - Michael Wegman's Blog

As a writer for some 30-years now, I learned a long time ago about the power of the written word, so long as it is coherent, correctly spelled, correctly punctuated, and constructed in a way that logically conveys thoughts and information.  

So why poetry?

For me, poetry capitalizes on something I like to call, "economy of words" (i.e., saying a lot, with a little).  In our cultures across this globe, people are reading far less than ever before in history.  So offering substantive meaning in words that do not take hours or days to construct or deconstruct (read and understand) is a step in the right direction.

Finally, as a novelist, I find writing poetry to be a very tangible activity.  I can sit down and start/finish a poem in one sitting.  Instant gratification.  Poetry requires imagination to write and imagination to read and interpret.

Poetry is a breath of fresh air in my life!

Painted Hunter Date: 3/11/2014 8:00:00 AM Right on... Login to Reply Michael Wegman Date: 3/11/2014 5:49:00 PM Thanks Caleb!

Huberta Van Akkeren Date: 3/11/2014 6:19:00 AM Inspirational words...i couldn't agree more...a breath of fresh air...and most important..."poetry requires imagination to write...and to read and interpret." go Michael Login to Reply Michael Wegman Date: 3/11/2014 5:49:00 PM Many thanks for the encouraging words of affirmation, Huberta!

Roy Jerden Date: 3/10/2014 9:25:00 PM Boy, I wish it was that easy for me. About the only poem I can crank out quickly is a limerick, which for some reason just pops right out. But you are right about the satisfaction of finishing. Isaac Asimov loved the actual act of writing, but he said that most people love "having written". Login to Reply Roy Jerden Date: 3/11/2014 6:32:00 AM If limericks you feel you can tackle/ No need to make it a debacle/ Just throw in a pun/ To make it more fun/ And always try to make the folks cackle Michael Wegman Date: 3/11/2014 6:12:00 AM Roy, I have not et tackled the likes of a LIMERICK...but I intend to. If you can crank out a Limerick like nothing, you have real talent, sir! Thanks for the comments!

Leon Enriquez Date: 3/10/2014 6:22:00 PM Dear Michael: I agree. To me, the point of writing poetry is simple: a deeper need to let the inner soul connect through wordplay. The self-talk process yields a by-product, often of a shared humanity, or a common touch point. The awkwardness, style, language and the mechanics are just ways to go beyond our comfort zone. Poetry writing is a risky process and the fruits uncertain. That's why it feels so liberating -- to do verse, and then observer! A poem reveals your truth the way you feel things. All the best, Leon Login to Reply Leon Enriquez Date: 3/11/2014 11:02:00 PM Michael: You are spot-on! I see that each of via our sex drive must by nature forge our own expression in creative avenues. Some through dance, music, science, exploration. Others through writing and poetry, and so on. Life is a "foreplay" and wordplay a branch. Foreplay is actually the precursor to creative content. This I learn from a work from a psychologist some time ago! Thought I share this with you. So foreplay is good ;), ha-ha-ha. Leon Michael Wegman Date: 3/11/2014 6:10:00 AM Leon, you nailed a concept here I had not considered, and you did so with one word: wordplay! Great point. It is wordplay that keeps me interested. Sort of like...um...foreplay!? Sorry...couldn't resist@

Cyndi Macmillan Date: 3/10/2014 6:02:00 PM I'm a published short story writer and I'm currently working on a novel. Poetry has always been a passion of mine, and I have spent the past three years focused on exploring forms and finding my poetic voice. YES... it is lovely to just "get 'er done," so to speak. It is satisfying to come up with an idea, write a first draft, edit the poem, perhaps rework entire stanzas and then post the poem in less than four hours. Unlike a chapter, eh? LOL... ah... yes, the satisfaction one feels AFTER having written. I'm enjoying my sweat-fest... good to hear there is another novelist here. Welcome! Login to Reply Michael Wegman Date: 3/11/2014 6:08:00 AM Cyndi...couldn't agree more! Thanks for the comments here!