There are so many perfect examples of not-yet-matured poems that creating an actual adult-appreciate-able-by-which-for-this-doesn't-make-sense becomes actually really difficult.
Aka, it's surprisingly hard to write like an actual writer.
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Personally, as a high school student, it's been a struggle for me to adopt an adult voice and write poetry that's viable in the legitimate, non-teenage freelance market.
This is one of my fifth grade poems. It might sound familiar. If it does, this post is for you.
If it doesn't, this post is also for you.
Fern
A fern, so cool and green,
Right, left, and in between.
Swaying in the autumn breeze,
Is the friend of all the trees.
If you see one, let it grow.
It will thank you, it will know.
Gently swaying to and fro.
Watch it give and watch it grow.
I like how the first poem I share on this blog is about fern conservation.
I mean, sure, you can get away with nature poems about the creek beside your house and maybe get published in the middle school newspaper, but no one is going to pay you by the word for that piece of art.
Adult poems, on the other hand, get paid by the word.
You get my drift?
Of course it's not just about the money. "Adult" poems are considered so for a reason; they impart wisdom, they tell stories-- and they do it in a unique, meaningful way that few middle schoolers (or even high schoolers) can master. Matured poetry is true art. That is the goal.
This is, of course, a journey of discover for me (and maybe for you!). But please bear with me as I try to find out what makes a good poem good. (This will hopefully happen in a series of blog posts.)
Without further ado, I present.........
Poetry Parenting
Helping your babies grow upA blog series by Stephanie
Day 1: Coming soon!
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Stay tuned, poem-raisers. Even if you're male. I see you.
Enjoy loveliness and remember to muse! :)
Hmmm, personally, I find an art to "fifth grade" writing styles. In a world where everything is expected to eventually mature, I find a special appreciation for that style of writing. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the poem about ferns.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see your point. "Mature" poems aren't necessarily superior to "fifth grade" poems. But I decided to do this series because I know a lot of people my age who want to change the way they write and start creating a more mature voice.
ReplyDeleteHaving your work labeled "Teen Poetry" can be frustrating!
Hah. Fair enough. I think it's pretty cool that teens want to change their writing style to be more mature; though, I'm a candidate for that natural development of art in general. Then again, who am I to define what "natural" is?
DeleteIn any case, I'll stick around for the show. Cool work by the way.
Absolutely-- every form of development of art has it's merits. It's great that we have the choice on how we want to find our own voices!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting :)
The most important part of altering your poetry so that it is taken seriously is to take yourself seriously
ReplyDeleteGood point!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely trying to give serious advice in my posts. If it came across as too lighthearted, that's because I was trying to use a format that would be a little bit more entertaining.