leigh ann

“‘Of the many definitions of poetry, the simplest is still the best: “memorable speech”’, W. H. Auden wrote in the Introduction to his 1935 anthology, The Poet’s Tongue (Poet’s Tongue, p. v)“.

something about defining poetry as just “memorable speech” broke a dam in me my first semester at okanagan college.

our teacher, a poet, assigned us poetry that first class and for our first assignment, and i was so vividly anti-poetry that the block was instant. i couldn’t think, couldn’t feel. it’s because i’m anti-rule. i like uncapitalized titles. i like throwing up content warnings.

my notes read that that quote demystifies the rigid rules that are inherently associated with poetry and i ask, via a small note in the corner, have I written anything lyrical that can be poemified?

and then, it was like my brain chemistry changed.

what is poetry but nice words that sound nice. at least for me, the other rules can wait. i am, inherently, a rule breaker and why should poetry be anything different?

so now, I’ve a novice poet I think? i’ve sat of my own volitation and written a lot of poetry since this breakthrough september 2023. willingly. as a choice. i’ve taken rants and previous blog posts and wrapped them up in a pretty poetry [depends on who you ask], bow, and said here it is.

i’ll share them when and if i’m able to because i had the gall, the audacity, how dare i, to submit some of them to journals.

if my career takes off into poetry find this post and throw it in my face. if I become the horror fiction writer i currently have intentions to be, find this and throw it in my face still.

you really thought you could write poetry?

just maybe.

References

• The Cambridge Companion to W. H. Auden. assets.cambridge.org/052182/9623/excerpt/0521829623_excerpt.htm.