Why is poetry
important?
This is a big pretentious question, but I think it’s extremely
important. Poetry is more important than ever. Poetry isn’t capitalist. I mean
I know it’s Instagrammable now, but poetry itself cannot be monetized (or can
it?). Well, literature can’t (or can it?). But actually, although I lean this
way politically, I also know that poetry cannot be socialist. It can try!
Poetry, like all art, is about telling the truth, about being honest, about
saying fuck the bullshit whatever the bullshit of the day may be. People get so
intimidated by canonized poets these days, but, Jesus, so many poets were
ignored and basically drummed out of the discourse of the day. That asshole
Dylan Thomas, I forgot about him, he was telling the world something, but it
wasn’t anything that it particularly wanted to hear, but his words? They had
music. I’m a romantic that way. I believe in aesthetics. I don’t think making
something beautiful, though, should make you snotty towards the world or those
who don’t get it. I can’t say I’m always good at this, but I do know that poetry
is not for poets. Poetry should be for the world. Actually, Thomas’s own “In my
Craft or Sullen Art” sums it up!
Coda: This was fun. Thanks for giving poets an opportunity to talk and
be heard!
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