The the virtue of writing poetry from the heart

“Allot has been said about the virtue of writing poetry from the heart. However, some of best poems are written with emotions subdued, with a powerful objectivity”.

In my opinion it is a matter of taste. An extremely objective poem rarely stirs the emotion of the reader. That is fine if you prefer not to have your emotions stirred.

”Poetry containing weepy personal sentiments, no matter how meaningful they may be to you, often come across as trite and un-readable to discriminating readers.”

The sharing of emotional pain I suppose can be trite

Emotional pain is useless unless it inspires the one that causes the pain to be contrite

Some of my favorite writers and poets write of joy, and sorrow, which most of us have experienced, and can relate to.

”For those seeking excellence in writing; at least consider what I'm saying.”

Too much emphases on self is normally frowned upon by the literary community
I’m not sure if my editor is in the literary community. One of her nine published books is entitled ‘Sacred Sentiments”

very interesting!

"Allot has been said about the virtue of writing poetry from the heart. However, some of best poems are written with emotions subdued, with a powerful objectivity."

I agree, somewhat, in that many of the "from the heart" poems are simply filled with emotional driddle and lack artistry and literary credibility and are simply, just an overflowing of jumbled emotions. I think one should apply their mental faculties when writing -- their artistic and creative mind, soul, towards their write (poem). I don't necssarily believe though that one must subdue their emotions, but rather moderate, measure, and shape their emotions, filter them - where as anything that doesn't work towards the poems overall benefit, be it in an artistic, literary, or emotional sense get filtered out, so that the poem is left with only elements that serve to enhance its effect, rather than just to burry you under an over kill of emotion, sentiment.

"Poetry containing weepy personal sentiments, no matter how meaningful they may be to you, often come across as trite and un-readable to discriminating readers."

I agree! Many poets don't express themselve well, when writing purely off sentiment - their feeling- alone.

Thanks Bob. Well put. As for myself, I write a lot of my poems from the heart not the hip. Whether it's a nature poem or a love poem, it is with my emotions that It was penned.

Now, my funny poem are just that. Although they sometimes have a hidden meaning, they are for enjoyment... which is probably why most poets don't consider them poems.

I don't feel that a poem has to come from the heart for it to be readable, but if someone is searching for something to relate to it has got to come from the heart. Not neccesarily your heart, but from someones.

Jeannie

i agree. =D

i have written 'story poems' so to speak that have been critiqued highly, and that wasn't written with any previous emotion or knowledge of the subject.

i very originally named my two story poems 'Conscription' and 'I love you more' and both got featured in the weekly chosen poems.

so u can write without the self-consudering dribbling emotion and still write well. =)

think. feel. write.