poetry (on being here, now)

From:	Isabel Brittain (@hotmail.com)
Sent:	11 November 2009 10:25:32
To:	Sian Lucas (@yahoo.co.uk)

Good Morning Siany! How are you on this fine November day? It's a drizzly one but I'm feeling good...! Think my feet are returning to the ground after recently losing my perspective a little.

You asked me on Friday night what I think makes a good poem and it really got me thinking. Not only about that particular question, but also contemplating why I discovered an appreciation for poetry at this particular point in my life. I've always loved literature, and the occasional poem, but I never really went out of my way for it - and I only rarely attempted to write it. Now I can't get enough of the stuff! And I think I've worked out why.

Poetry is a metaphor for the outlook on life that I now aspire to. Poetry teaches us to appreciate the smallest details in life; be they conventionally beautiful, tragic or simply somewhat innocuous on first sight. There is actually poetry in each day of our life, in everything we see and do - if only we pay attention and engage with it in a way that allows us to fully appreciate it. It's all part of an over-arching process that is an ongoing journey through life. Each tiny patch of the quilt is worthwhile. This is how I'm trying to live, and poetry is a great reminder of this truth.

The best of poems express this universal truth, whilst also being extremely personal. Poetry is therefore a written reminder of the search for 'the middle way', as I keep rabbiting on about. A balance between the universal and the personal - living with your own importance and unimportance simultaneously. Living 'in the moment' and making plans simutaneously. Remaining flexible and inquisitive, with a child-like appreciation for the world. Finding a way to live your life in harmony with your surroundings (whether people, places, things, your own messy mind...) By extension and by virtue of it's personal nature, poetry also comments upon the way in which we inwardly paint the world around us according to our subjective viewpoint.

The complexity of poetry teaches delayed pleasure as opposed to instant gratification, something which I'm struggling to internalise and absorb into my own life day by day. Poetry is like plodding onwards, through highs and lows, just soaking it all in and appreciating everything. Realising how lucky we are for each and every moment, and always remembering how little we actually 'know' about anything. That poetry is so personal, allows the reader to embrace this unknowing - we know enough when we are aware of this.

So a good poem teaches all of this. It's a shame that due to language barriers poetry cannot be entirely universal, though when translated it should still be, regardless of era, subject or how personal it is simultaneously. The rhyme and rhythm of poetry is essential, adds a certain beauty and imprints the words upon your mind. How much easier it is to learn lines of poetry or song than standard sentences? Therefore the rolling rhythm of poetry is a huge factor in what I take to be a good poem, and I prefer poems packed full of this, rather than the abstract verse of some contemporary poetry. To me, poetry is supposed to be read out loud wherever possible.

My favourite poets at the moment seem to be Tony Harrison, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson and Blake. Personally, I like a bit of narrative to my poem and sparse, uncluttered language. I can't quite work out why this is, but there is something quite satisfyingly round about a good poem, you are left with the sense of having gone full circle - despite not always completely understanding the circle's mysteries.

I value a bit of black humour or the juxtaposition of beauty with disgust in a poem quite highly! For example V by Tony Harrison, Blue by John Siddique, Mirror by Sylvia Plath ... These are two factors which are intrinsic to the human condition; laughter and appreciation of beauty in the most unexpected of places. What brilliant abilities! It restores your faith in the human race.

Sorry to go on. Are you going to Leeds Film fest tonight? Drop me a text if so.

Love xxx