Why do I have a hard time understanding poetry?

Poetry is difficult to interpret because it consists of the serious compression of information in very few words. This requires the reader to be very attentive to detail. On the other hand, prose is very direct and usually written in the same language that is spoken during that era.

Is reading poetry a waste of time?

Poetry is fine for personal matters. Overall, poetry is a waste of time and is just as confusing and pointless as abstract art. Their meanings, if they have one, are not for others to understand but a way to express yourself as poetry once originally was.

What is the hardest part about writing poetry?

Based on these two characteristics, the hardest thing in writing poetry is to make it reach it’s full potential in influencing the readers. This includes quality of language used, simplicity of understanding, power of the message/emotion/information, the whole system of you as a poet, publishing, promotion, etc.

Are there any rules to poetry?

There are no officially sanctioned rules of poetry. However, as with all creative writing, having some degree of structure can help you reign in your ideas and work productively.

How to read poetry without finding the meaning?

So the very first thing you have to do is try to tamp down your desire for literal certainty when you encounter poetry. Just read it quietly, then read it aloud, let the words roll around in your mind for awhile, enjoy it as an artistic experience even if you can’t extract meaning from it, and don’t beat yourself up.

What are the biggest obstacles to understanding poetry?

Ask a question, get a great answer. Learn from experts and access insider knowledge. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus. The main obstacle to understanding poetry, whether you are talking about Keats or Shelley or Whitman or even Leonard Cohen, is our ingrained tendency to be very literal in communication.

Why read and write poetry?

Reading and writing poetry helps you see that beneath the surface of everything there is a deeper meaning and significance. Poetry makes you dig for that meaning and helps you express that meaning. In a world that seems increasingly meaningless, poetry helps you dig deep.

How do you write a formal poem?

Write a ballad and a villanelle and an ode or a sestina. Writing formal poetry is practical in three ways: First, as in reading poetry, writing poetry puts you in touch with your emotions. You must write a poem about something you are passionate about.