The Power of Poetry

      For many students in English class, poetry is a required unit. While a lot of the population underappreciates the thought-provoking literary language incorporated into the rhythmic writing, I for one believe poetry is one of the most powerful ways to express opinions and thoughts. And after reading this piece, I am certain you will understand why poetry is an underrated way to express yourself.

       For starters, why do people not enjoy poetry? Is it because poems are harder to understand and require too much analysis? Could it be that technology has hindered humanity’s ability to enjoy advanced media? Afterall, the internet has designed content that is easy to understand and consume that is slowly eating away at people’s attention spans and 

thinking skills. According to the research of Dimitrije Curcic, “As of 2017, over 11.7% of US adults read poetry at least once a year.” Although that is a good chunk of the U.S. population, the phrasing implies that it might only be once every year an U.S. citizen which barely gives them time to enjoy poems to their full extent. 

      It’s saddening to see my fellow classmates sigh as they see another poetry assignment on their desk when it’s something that they should be excited for! There are different styles of poetry for everyone, that’s what makes it so diverse and unique. But within that diversity is equality. For example, one of my favorite poets, Erin Hanson, does an incredible job curating emotional pieces of work that people can read and feel not so alone. Whether it be a poem about the tides changing, a friend leaving, or a life going by too fast, her writing makes it easy to find relatability in the words. That is one of the most beautiful things about poetry, it says the things everyone is feeling but they don’t know how to say it. Sometimes there are things in life that are too hard to explain with regular words, but literary language can help do the trick.

    I hope everyone gets to experience a moment one day when they no longer sigh about seeing a poetry assignment on their desk. I hope they pick up the paper, look within the words, and find a connection that excites them. After all, nothing is more exciting than reading something and finally feeling like you are understood. You see, the love for poetry has never come from the words, but the life living inside.