THE FOUR PARTS OF A POEM

There are four distinct parts of every poem . However , only
three of those parts may actually appear or be distinguishable
in every poem . These would be the three critical parts of
a poem that are crucial to a poems success . They are , the
title , the opening , and the ending . The body of the poem
is the fourth part which some poems simply do not have . The
body of a poem is the least important and has little to do with
the success or failure of a poem .
It is impossible to overstate the importance of a good title to
any poem . A title is the poems first impression on a reader .
Many readers or potential readers make a complete judgement
about a poem based on the poems title . I good title may not
only get a reader to read a poem , but it may also influence
the reader to take a positive experience from reading a poem
of less that stellar quality . The psychological impact of having
a positive title can therefore actually enhance a poems quality
in the eyes of a reader . There is an additional aspect to having
a good title that is directly related to the poem itself . A great
title will always give important information to the reader in the
form of clues about the meaning of the poem itself . Therefore ,
a poet who may choose to write a poem using more obscure
characterizations and words in the body of their poem , may find
that the reader may both enjoy the various poetic devices
employed by the poet and at the same time be able to keep
their mental focus on the poems meaning while doing so . This
is a reality that both the poet and the reader may enjoy .
The opening of a poem ; whether it be by verse , line , phrase ,
or word is of such significance to a poem that it is often the
jumping off point for many readers of poetry . The overall quality
of a particular poem is often reflected directly in the opening .
The readers will assume , and rightly so , that the opening part
may well be the best that the poet has to offer the reader .
While this may not be true in reality , it will be the expectation
of the reader which will dominate here . This is not without some
truth , however , since readers of poetry are well aware that the
inspiration for a poem is often contained in that opening .
Therefore , a good writer of poetry will always supply a good deal
of the substance contained within that poem in this most critical
part of the poem .
Finally , we come to the ending . The ending of a poem is no
less important than the title or the opening . Indeed , it is in
the ending that a good poet knows his poem will either be
defined as a success or a failure . Given this , it is often very
surprising how little thought seems to be given by most amateur
and professional poets to this most critical part of the poem .
The most common poetic flaws often emerge near the ending
of poems . It is the hardest part of the poem to write and it
is the part that requires and demonstrates the creativity , or
lack of it , of the poet . A great ending can turn what otherwise
may have been a completely average , pleasant poem into a
virtual masterpiece of poetic art . Such is the value of an ending .


GREENWOLFE 1962

POET LAUREATES

Poet Laureates. Where would poetry be without them?
Answer: Much better off.
I just read this thing. And to read something like this
always inspires me to continue my struggle against 'Picasso
Poetry.' This is what gives me the breath of life in their
world of meaninglessness. What a waste of life's time!
And of a great language blessed with true riches.
Is it possible to take a paper and pen and make them non-
functioning in the hands of those named, and as such, esteemed?
Science would do well by mankind to undertake such an endeavor.
Let science not go in search of life on Mars, let it go in search
of a solution to the disease of 'Picasso Poetry.'


Greenwolfe 1962

BEWARE OF THE POETRY CIRCLE SITE

I am writing this to all those who believe that poetry belongs to all mankind .
Its possesion does not lie in the hands of a few who believe that judgements
may be made about the quality of any poem by an individual or any group of
individuals . Such is the case with a poetry site known as The Poetry Circle .
Their belief that such judgements may be made is even more questionable
by their added belief that they are the ones who may make them . This is
made manifest by the presence on that site of a special classification of poems
that they have classified as rejected . The expectation and assumption that
runs rampant there , is the idea that this is a group of poetic doctors who
will heal the poems posted there, that they may be made more acceptable as
poems . If you should ever post there believing and knowing that your poems
are not only acceptable but desired as they are , please be warned that these
surgeons are not content with your opinion . Their opinion is the only relevant
one in their own minds . What is more , any suggestion that the truth is otherwise
is dismissed out of hand . And if you persist in your discussion of this fundamental
question which arises out of this falsehood , then you shall surely be banned .
Now being banned from such a place is not a bad thing . In fact , I may well
encourage others with a like mind to go there and do the same . For it is no
shame to be banned from such a place . But this message is intended for those
innocent poetic souls who would believe , mistakenly ; that the solution to
their poetic problems lies in giving attention to ,and having faith in ,such practitioners .
Beware of those who proclaim publicly that they are only there to help you .
In truth , they are only there to have fun at your expense knowing that their
judgements as well as their academic and artistic standings were falsely obtained
in a field for which their is no standard for excellance other than the one bestowed
upon poets by those who read and enjoy their work .


Greenwolfe 1962

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Dear Sathya :
Your basic question is so general in nature that the only answer to it is , "Of course . "
But if I may , I believe that what you really want to know is , "Do poets have a special social
responsibility ?"
In answer to this , I must say that I do not believe that this special social responsibility
is inherent in the fact that someone writes poetry . Many poets do not address the many public
social problems that are present in society . And I , for one , am not ready to condemn them for
not addressing these issues . Poets do have a special voice on social issues and in a perfect world
all poets would use that public voice for that purpose . But we do not live in a perfect world . I
believe , that above all other things , a poet must follow his or her own heart and conscience .
If it leads them to speak out , then all the better . But if it does not , I do not believe that other
poets have the charter to condemn them for their silence . Such condemnation is reserved for the
ultimate judge of all things . "Judge not , lest ye be judged ."

Greenwolfe 1962

RHYTHM AND RHYME

Hello Sathya :
Most people will simply tell you that if it isn't poetry , then it is prose . I suppose that in a practical
sense they are correct . The problem is and has always been in defining what poetry is . Many academics
and scholars have said that poems do not need to have rhythm or rhyme in order to be poems . I have
always disagreed with that . I also believe that most of humanity believes that as well . The reason for that ,
is that if you include writings that do not have rhythm and rhyme in the category of poetry then no definition
of poetry can be written .
Of the two , rhythm is far more important than rhyme in my view . This is because rhythm is what gives a poem its beauty and its sound that rings so beautifully in the ear . Rhyme certainly enhances that beauty
but it is really like icing on a cake . It is an extra quality .
Rhythm is achieved by counting the number of syllables in each line of poetry . And then , taking those
numbers and altering them so those lines have a pattern of some kind . For example 8 ,6 8, 6 . It is then the
case , that the poet must then make sure that all the other verses in his or her poem have that same pattern .
Like this : 8, 6, 8, 6 ......8 , 6 , 8 , 6 ...........8 , 6 , 8 , 6 ..........8 , 6 , 8 , 6 . The main reason for doing this is
so the reader can get into a reading rhythm that the reader can use throughout the reading of the poem .
With respect to rhyme , it is most important to avoid what I call "false" rhymes . An example of a "false"
rhyme would be the words "mine" and "mind." Or another example : "meaning" and " seeming." An example
of a perfect rhyme is , of course , "mind" and "kind." The use of "false" rhymes is considered to be acceptable
by many in the world of poetry . But not by those who believe that the essence of poetry is in its beauty .
I will have more to say on this as time goes on . I do this in tribute to my lovely Mary . A most special
woman of this world .


Greenwolfe 1962

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AN INVITATION

I would like to invite anyone to ask a question or to make a comment about poetry on this blog . I hope it will be a serious comment or question . That is the only requirement . I shall check in from time to time to see if anyone had anything to say .


Greenwolfe 1962