Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Poems Of Emotion Tell Our History
By Harriett Crosby
Mankind has a long history of expressing the deepest feelings in poems of emotion, either orally or in writing. From national events like war to intimate moments of physical or spiritual love, poetic expression seems to help people give an account, understand events, remember joys and horrors, and reveal ideas and feelings. In fact, without relating an emotional response to the human condition, words do not make poetry.
Religions of the world have given us great poetry. From the Bible to Greek mythology, man's relation to the divine has been a part of his culture. The biblical Song of Moses, the Song of Solomon, and the psalms of David speak of awe, thanksgiving, petition, and praise for the God of Israel. Mythology told stories of the gods and their influence on and interaction with mankind.
Our literary heritage contains epic poems that were first delivered orally and later recorded. Undoubtedly many more existed but have been lost. Scholars are still trying to record ancient oral traditions from scattered races and tribes. The emotional content and people's connection to their past gives these tales great impact and meaning.
Poetry has an impact on those who hear or read it. Most of us know a few lines of poetry even if we are indifferent to it. 'No man is an island' needs no explanation. Neither does 'A rose by any other name...'. Hamlet's famous musing 'To be or not to be' is heard from center stage to the schoolyard everywhere English is spoken.
This memorable aspect of poetry helps us remember great events and people when dry history lessons have long been forgotten. Paul Revere's ride is a historic event, but the dramatic poem containing the immortal line 'One if by land and two if by sea' is probably what most of us think of first when his name is mentioned. We know he was 'booted and spurred and ready to ride' even if we can't remember the date of that action-filled night.
It is probably because all of us have a love story of our own that we are drawn to poems written about this subject. Tragic or joyful, love affairs have endless fascination for both men and women. The emotions of love, hate, jealously, self-sacrifice, and heartbreak have been best expressed in poetry throughout the ages. Most of us have probably even tried to write a love poem at one time.
In the days before television, people had more time to spend on poetry. Now surfing the web and watching favorite television serials take up the evening hours. However, people are still writing poetry and reading it for enlightenment and enjoyment. It is an important part of our culture and can enrich life if we make time for it.
Human feelings give rise to poems of emotion, which in turn help people express and understand those feelings. Poetry stirs the heart, fires the imagination, and broadens the mind. It is an art form that requires inspiration, skill, and discipline, and the best examples of it attain immortality.
Religions of the world have given us great poetry. From the Bible to Greek mythology, man's relation to the divine has been a part of his culture. The biblical Song of Moses, the Song of Solomon, and the psalms of David speak of awe, thanksgiving, petition, and praise for the God of Israel. Mythology told stories of the gods and their influence on and interaction with mankind.
Our literary heritage contains epic poems that were first delivered orally and later recorded. Undoubtedly many more existed but have been lost. Scholars are still trying to record ancient oral traditions from scattered races and tribes. The emotional content and people's connection to their past gives these tales great impact and meaning.
Poetry has an impact on those who hear or read it. Most of us know a few lines of poetry even if we are indifferent to it. 'No man is an island' needs no explanation. Neither does 'A rose by any other name...'. Hamlet's famous musing 'To be or not to be' is heard from center stage to the schoolyard everywhere English is spoken.
This memorable aspect of poetry helps us remember great events and people when dry history lessons have long been forgotten. Paul Revere's ride is a historic event, but the dramatic poem containing the immortal line 'One if by land and two if by sea' is probably what most of us think of first when his name is mentioned. We know he was 'booted and spurred and ready to ride' even if we can't remember the date of that action-filled night.
It is probably because all of us have a love story of our own that we are drawn to poems written about this subject. Tragic or joyful, love affairs have endless fascination for both men and women. The emotions of love, hate, jealously, self-sacrifice, and heartbreak have been best expressed in poetry throughout the ages. Most of us have probably even tried to write a love poem at one time.
In the days before television, people had more time to spend on poetry. Now surfing the web and watching favorite television serials take up the evening hours. However, people are still writing poetry and reading it for enlightenment and enjoyment. It is an important part of our culture and can enrich life if we make time for it.
Human feelings give rise to poems of emotion, which in turn help people express and understand those feelings. Poetry stirs the heart, fires the imagination, and broadens the mind. It is an art form that requires inspiration, skill, and discipline, and the best examples of it attain immortality.
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