National Poetry Month 8

How to Read a Poem: Beginner's Manual

Pamela Spiro Wagner

8 April 09 http://www.poets.org/poemADay.phphttp://chslib.somsd.k12.nj.us/~chslib/summer%20reading.gif


http://poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20592

Continued……

First, forget everything you have learned,

that poetry is difficult,

that it cannot be appreciated by the likes of you,

with your high school equivalency diploma,

your steel-tipped boots,

or your white-collar misunderstandings.

Do not assume meanings hidden from you:

the best poems mean what they say and say it.

To read poetry requires only courage

enough to leap from the edge

and trust.

Treat a poem like dirt,

humus rich and heavy from the garden.

Later it will become the fat tomatoes

and golden squash piled high upon your kitchen table.



Continued……

Poetry demands surrender,

language saying what is true,

doing holy things to the ordinary.

Read just one poem a day.

Someday a book of poems may open in your hands

like a daffodil offering its cup

to the sun.

Continued……




When you can name five poets

without including Bob Dylan,

when you exceed your quota

and don't even notice,

close this manual.

Congratulations.

You can now read poetry.


National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media� to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.

National Poetry Month

Presentation by Neelima

http://www.slideshare.net/Neelima.A

THANK YOU

National Poetry Month 8

Education

Transcript of National Poetry Month 8