My literature professor taught me to hate poetry.

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I have no choice but to write. Poems come to me when I am going about my drive to work or daily routines. I must record them, on electronic or real paper. It is a neat lens to look at the world and to share the beauty that is revealed through that lens. I love to read, but writing and creating is even more FUN!

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My literature professor taught me to hate poetry.

Blog Posted:10/20/2012 12:30:00 PM

My literature professor taught me to hate poetry. Yes, I
said hate it, whereas, my father taught me to love it. The professor insisted
that he knew exactly what the author meant or the interpretation of a poem. I
always thought. Did you ask them? I would never have challenged him with this
question, because I was not assertive like that. I found that my interpretation
of a poem usually did not match the professors. This made me feel like my
thoughts were not important and that I was rather stupid. The only way I earned
a C in his class was to memorize a long Robert Frost poem and recite it to the
class.

Thankfully, my father taught me how poetry can be used as a
lens to look at our world. He has written numerous poems that focus on
significant historical moments, such as, the end of the Civil War at Appomattox.
To me, this makes history more interesting. Because of my father, I use poetry
to capture beautiful moments in the world around me. Like in a painting, how a
person receives it is how they perceive the world around them. It could even be
how they feel at that moment in time. Perhaps more young people would enjoy
poetry if professors would help them see the fun and interesting ways it can be
used to look at their world! Thank goodness, for a website like Poetry Soup
where the creative and fun lens of poetry thrives!

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binibiningP.iNk Date: 10/21/2012 10:26:00 AM What a shame that your literature professor did the opposite of inspiring his students...I can relate to a certain level where one of my grade school teachers discouraged me in her own way about my writing-- it was for the school newspaper and somehow how she treated me and my writing made me turn away from pursuing writing. I didn't have another figure to encourage me during that time, but I guess my own love for writing won out in the end... I am glad though that you have a wonderful father who ignited that love for poetry. Login to Reply
MichaelSmith Date: 10/20/2012 3:45:00 PM From the sounds of it you had a great father. Login to Reply
JoannGrisetti Date: 10/20/2012 3:14:00 PM I only remember one teacher who ever said I could even try to write poetry, Mostly it was this old stuff we had to read and sometimes memorize - hated it. I did not write anything but haiku and free verse until last year. Login to Reply
CarolEastman Date: 10/20/2012 3:11:00 PM I could't write anything but journals and scientific papers till recently. My epilipsy stopped me... When I retired and found some help... my imagination came forth. Poetry is a good medium within which to write... Login to Reply
FrancineRoberts Date: 10/20/2012 2:16:00 PM I was lucky enough to have a phenomenal grade 10 English teacher who , its because of him that I write. He gave me a love and incite into the written word.... everyone should have someone like him for a teacher at least once in their life. Login to Reply

My Past Blog Posts


My literature professor taught me to hate poetry. Date Posted: 10/20/2012 12:30:00 PM

My Poems

Date Posted	Poem Title	Form	Categories
6/3/2013	Side of the Road	Rhyme	christian,culture,death,g
4/27/2013	He Watches	Rhyme	angel,christian,god,irela
11/3/2012	Watch Us	Haiku	imagination,nature,season
10/19/2012	Circle of Gathering	Couplet	family,friendship,happine
9/14/2012	Obam-a question or two for you, 2012	Couplet	on work and working,peopl
7/19/2012	Harbor Town Man	Rhyme	life,mystery,nostalgia,on
6/26/2012	To Adore a Sycamore	Rhyme	education,nature,places,s
1/18/2012	Vessels Journey	Rhyme	adventure,happiness,life,
12/29/2011	Tiny Warriors	Rhyme	animals,nature,places,sea
3/26/2011	Brown Dragon	Rhyme	mystery,nature,seasons
2/9/2011	Holden On	Rhyme	death,inspirational,life,
11/9/2010	Power of One	Rhyme	childhood,education,famil
2/6/2010	Snowy Delight or Fright?	Rhyme	family,nature,seasonssnow
2/3/2010	Getting There	Rhyme	adventure,funny,lifeme,
1/28/2010	View From Clingman’s Dome?	Rhyme	nature,places,saddrink,
11/9/2009	O-bam-a question or two for you?	Couplet	people,political,satire
11/7/2009	Picture This!	Couplet	inspirational,nature,seas
10/24/2009	Counting Rhyme	Rhyme	education,family,for chil
10/20/2009	FORWARD	Couplet	family,funny,life
10/15/2009	Winter's Sight	Rhyme	inspirational,nature,sea,
10/15/2009	Near Fear	Rhyme	depression,introspection,
10/15/2009	Spring Sings	Rhyme	happiness,nature,peace,se

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Fav Poems

Poem Title	Form	Categories
Mother Nature ?	Rhyme	inspirational,love,peace

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