We’re down to the final two contributions on “Why Poetry Matters” that were submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

From Bonnie at Being Transformed:

Why Poetry Matters

I teach literature to a high school tutorial and also have done workshops at the Childlight USA Conference on Poetry.

I think about Billy Collins’ saying in Introduction to Poetry : to hold it to the light, drop a mouse into it and watch him probe his way out.

OR Wendell Berry on How to be a Poet: Make a place to sit down. Be quiet. There are only sacred places…

And John Keats with “Truth is beauty and beauty is truth” from “Ode to a Grecian Urn.”

Luci Shaw from “Breath for the Bones:” Because beauty matters.

L.L.Barkat’s poetry book does that.

And from Nancy at 75 and Sunny:

Why Poetry Matters

Rooted in our shared human experience
In this created space, articulated into being
By holy Words,
Are the empty arms of childless Mothers,
Falling buildings, rising suns,
Hummingbirds and hammered nails,
Corpses lying under rubble,
Dreams realized
and dashed,
Sunsets and mine fields and eyelashes,
Despair, elation , hope, cowardice.
And when human emotions stretch within these fleshy skins
And surge past the walls that we, in our fragility, cobbled together to enclose them,
The animal which escapes its cage is Poetry.

A bit of prose and a poem: here are contributions No. 11 and No. 12 on “Why Poetry Matters” that were submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

From Anne Lang Bundy at Building His Body:

Why Poetry Matters

Ernest Hemingway said, “Prose is architecture, not interior decoration.”

But I contend that when poetry is captured in prose, they dance; they become what neither is alone, like a couple who’ve long yearned to be together and discover in their union something new and beautiful.

And from Laura Boggess at The Wellspring:

Why Poetry Matters

Because…
the earth shakes
mountains fall
people die
and tears collect
like oceans.

Because…
hearts need
lines
to link together;
strings of words
interlocking souls.

Because…
in looking
for words
we sometimes
find
what truly matters–

it keeps us
looking out
looking in
looking up.

Because…
this fallen world
needs beauty.

that
is why
poetry matters.

Here are contributions No. 9 and No. 10 on “Why Poetry Matters” that were submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. I combined them in one post because of their brevity (short but definitely succinct). The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

First, a poem from Noj Rotsap (which I think you might have to read backwards):

Why Poetry Matters

Reading poetry
is important
many ways.
Chief of
which
is the
fact that poems
birth creative
musings in our hearts.

Next, from Megan Willome:

Why Poetry Matters

I start each writing day with “The Writers Almanac” (a project of National Public Radio hosted by Garrison Keillor). I also keep an ever-expanding collection of favorite poems. Lately, I’ve been reading poetry online, especially through connections made through High Calling Blogs. Although I have not published any poetry, writing it has helped me to cope with my mother’s cancer.

I think of poetry as a postcard – a graphic depiction of deep thoughts. But Garrison Keillor said it best in the collection Good Poems. “Stickiness, memorablity, is one sign of a good poem.”

May all your poems be good ones!

Here’s contribution No. 8 on “Why Poetry Matters” that was submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

This is from Missy Kemp at Daily Portion, and this one was the winner of the 100-word statement:

Why Poetry Matters

You read it aloud in the darkened room, your lamp the center of one pool of light. From another bulb’s halo , the poet sent the words out to you. Held in the vowels and caught on the consonants, somehow, is your own story written by a stranger. Truth unknown before now falls on you from the uneven ends of the lines. This moment of recognition is as ancient as the cave paintings we shine our flashlights on, deciphering our story from the shapes and tracings of another’s, the one with the courage to pick up the colors.

Here’s contribution #7 on “Why Poetry Matters” that was submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

Reading this one, you’ll see how I struggled with determining the best contribution. From Jim Allman (the scop) at diatribalArts:

Why Poetry Matters

I walk around as though I’m welcome here—as if I know this place; only to discover I haven’t been looking closely enough. It is an Elfland world with giant beanstalks and straw spun to gold, of wicked stepsisters and witches with a taste for children. There are monsters everywhere and only magic can challenge them. Poetry is flush with this type of magic; it defies monsters but also helps one to recall those too infrequent moments of waking wonder. Poetry is necessary because we must all feel out of place here, and because we must survive it—thriving—too.

Here’s contribution #6 on “Why Poetry Matters” that was submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

This is from Monica at Know-Love-Obey God.

When Poetry Speaks

When poetry speaks (whether I am writing or reading) . . .

. . . colors are brighter, my vision is clearer, and I hear sounds I would not have heard.

. . . I read the Bible more carefully, more thoughtfully.

. . . my emotions have an outlet, and I do not explode.

. . . communities build.

. . . writer and reader make connection.

. . . I am more sensitive to and considerate of others.

********
Related (where I mention other benefits of poetry): Scientists Are Poets, Too!

Here’s our fifth contribution on “Why Poetry Matters” that was submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

This is from Helen at Random Musings.

Why Poetry Matters

Poetry is an artistic presentation of words which show a depth of emotion. Like other art forms, some styles of poetry trigger a response in some and not others. Poetry gives us an emotional bridge to both the past (Chaucer) and the future (Lady Gaga). When Adam was asked to name his helpmate, he felt such a depth of emotion, he responded with poetry. Man has also responded to the awesomeness of God with poetry. So long as we respond to anything with words, there will be poetry, and if we believe our response matters, then so must poetry.

Here’s our fourth contribution on “Why Poetry Matters” that was submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

This is from Chris at Thorns Compose.

Why Poetry Matters Today

Poetry, like all forms of art, is communicative. Unlike non-representational art, poetry communicates concrete ideas and experiences, though these ideas are articulated through symbol and metaphor. Thus, poetry’s significance is found in its ability to integrate truth and beauty.

Today’s culture is too often lacking in both. Pope Benedict recently said that “the path of beauty as the best way for the Christian faith and the culture of our time to meet, besides being a valuable instrument for the formation of younger generation.” Poetry can uniquely guide people to the truth through the guideposts of meter, verse and rhyme.

Here’s our third contribution on “Why Poetry Matters” that was submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine.

This one is from Phoenix Karenee, and came in the form of a poem.

Poetry and Air

The tangible and all we see
flow through an inner, unseen world
and wash back out through history,
souls portrayed in fragile words.
Breathe in the tang of fitting phrase
inundated with spice of thought
flavoring that inner place
where motives, dreams, and will are wrought.
Breathe out beauty, honey sweet,
and speak truth of grief and shame.
Wrap select phrases to sharp point,
prodding souls to live again.
A lack of air would soon be felt
by gasping lungs and darkened eyes,
yet with words all life was built,
we live on terms from this derived.
Cloaked or displayed, life’s poetry
refreshes hearts too often stale.
Like the air the drift of phrase
can carry seeds or cause a gale.

Here’s another contribution on “Why Poetry Matters” that was submitted for the poetry and wine giveaway last month. The randomly chosen commenter received a copy of L.L. Barkat’s InsideOut: Poems, and the winner of the 100-word statements on what poetry matters received a copy of the poems and a bottle of Sineann wine (and a big thanks to nAncY, aka @PoemsPrayers for the donation of the wine).

This one is from Lorrie at Grow Up Deep.

How I Came to Love Poetry

I think that poetry came to love me.

I came into this world disgruntled at having to be here. I know that sounds weird and I thought it probably was weird until I read Henry Vaughan’s poem “The Retreat.”

I was validated by those fantastic poetic words.

Poetry came to me as a gift. Not a gift in the sense of it being a talent but a gift because it allows me to feel a connection to something I feel painfully separated from. It is personal. It is a relationship and the things that are whispered to me alone…