World of Poetry 1: Four Elements, Three Divisions

World of Poetry 1: Three Divisions

Poetry is a broad subject, to say the least. There are three major divisions: The Poem, a strict form with particular meter and rhyme scheme and whose content and form complement each other; The Free Form, a looser form closely related to the poem, with irregular meter and shyer rhyme and content; and The Free Verse, a style of writing marked by a lack of structure or meter, but whose highly subjective material and theme relies more on intentional or sub-linear rhythm.

A Class All Its Own

To be classed as ‘poetry’ something must be ‘poetical’ in nature and intent. The truest art is not a spontaneous outburst, it is an intentional expression meant to draw a particular effect.

Definition of Poetry according to Coles Dictionary of Literary Terms: A composition that evokes emotion and imagination by the use of vivid, intense language, usually arranged in a pattern of words or lines with a regularly repeated accent or stress. P/ In content, poetry expresses thoughts that are significant and sincere. It is marked by the presence of power, beauty, and dignity. Because of these qualities, poetry is distinguished from doggerel and from light or occasional verse.

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World of Poetry 2: The Free Verse »

Definition of Poetical according to Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary: Being beyond or above the truth of history or nature; idealized.

In other words, there is a difference between writing a poem and carving a sculpture, but there is just as much a likelihood that the sculpture could turn out to be poetical when the poem could not. Therefore, even though many things are not poems or free verses they may still be considered poetical. On the flip side, many poems and free verses cannot be considered poetical. Many novels of the 19th and 20th centuries can be considered poetry. Some of the sculptures of Michelangelo Buonarroti and the artworks of Leonardo da Vinci can be considered to be very poetical. Let’s summarize this formulation so that we can understand how some things earn poetry status and others do not.

Four Elements of Poetry

There are four crucial fundamentals. Imagination, emotion, significant meaning, and appropriate language are the pillars that uphold the poetical ideal. To earn the label ‘poetry’, any piece of art must have a solid donation from each of these columns. If any one of these is lacking or missing, the entire setup will fall flat, and the art has no hope of crossing the boundary from art to poetry. If more than one is missing, then the artist must go back to square one and begin reworking the original idea and come up with a way to make sure that all of these elements are present.

It is a literary fallacy to assume that all written works are poetical, therefore must be poetry. For the exact same reason that this article cannot be considered a novella, a free form cannot automatically be labeled as poetry.

Poetical Process

What can an artist do to ensure that their work is seen as poetic in nature and intent?  It is clear when we view these elements in the order mentioned that there is a process to be followed. It is not so obvious however—nor should it be—how such material becomes poetically aware. That is the job of the artist in question.

• Yet, the first requirement is imagination for obvious reasons; if the material is not original in thought or design the emotion or meaningful effect may become dull, even commonplace, no matter how well written it is.
• The second requirement is emotion, which for most artists is not hard to come by. Without emotional appeal, the meaning will be less significant, no matter how poignantly imaginative the entire piece is.
• The third is significant meaning. Many artists create a highly imaginative piece that evokes great emotion, but because it lacks in meaning or has been inappropriately presented, the point becomes lost and the emotion becomes passionless. It lacks direction.
• The fourth is appropriate language; an addition without which the other elements of poetic expression lose their importance. If the emotion is not presented clearly or evocatively enough, the piece may become ironic or light in expression. If the imagination or originality of the piece is not presented well, it may lose its luster. If the meaning is not conveyed in a significant way, the focus or theme may become mottled or lost altogether.

So, clearly, if even one of these elements is lacking, the entire structure of the expression loses its integrity.

Even Abstract Art Contains All Elements

Many artists are blind without these tools. Modern day expressionists maintain that emotional value is all that is necessary. However, in light of the elements of poetic expression, slinging the emotional paintbrush in random directions does not create optimal flow or significance. Such is an abstract way to present oneself, and, if the artist in question does not understand how to present significance or in an appropriately understood or direct manner, even the abstraction becomes invalid, and, even if the piece has meaning to its creator, there is little that it does for anyone else.

To produce material that is successful, the abstract artist may focus on presenting a specific emotion. But, he or she does so in an imaginative way that is significant and with an artistic language that is clear and understood by most if not all.

Each of the three divisions of poetry have been successful in crossing that boundary from art to poetical art. In the following articles, each division, The Free Verse, The Free Form, and The Poem, will be presented in as straightforward and clear a manner as possible. Understand however, that each of these divisions are real and have been delineated for your literal use. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

World of Poetry 2: The Free Verse

World of Poetry 3: The Free Form

World of Poetry 4: The Poem

World of Poetry 5: Rhyme

Other Articles by the Author:

• The True Haiku and its Origins,
• Writer’s Block 1, Writer’s Block 2,
• If You’re Going to Write, Read, Read, Read,
• Poem, Free Form, Free Verse: Recognizing the Differences,

Some Poems by the Author:

• Venusian Temple
• Dragon’s Child
• Wearing Frowns