"Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things."
T.S. Eliot so beautifully assigns such magnificence to poetry. In simple terms, the famous writer conveys profound thoughts. Poetry is made up of words that come from the depths of an individual's heart. The words allow emotions to flow uninterrupted. Yet, for some reason, what was once considered the highest form of art is now limited to a particular sector of society.
Poetry is something that is confined to the textbooks of young children. It is a mere component of an overall English course that they are required to take to be considered well-versed in the practical world. From books to notebooks, the time that these young people spend in the magical world of poetry is reduced every time the coursework is revised. There are more important subjects that these individuals should focus on. Science, Algebra, and Geometry are obviously more highly valued than poetry, prose, and creative writing. After all, what career can one get out of the latter group?
In university, young adults are often ridiculed if they are interested in the classical masterpieces that have been left behind by literary geniuses. Young men, in particular, usually face difficulties expressing their affection for such areas of study. If one does join a poetry club, he is labeled as a nerd, a sissy, and an 'unmanly' person.
The practical world has more regard for doctors and engineers than it does for poets and writers. Writing, as a profession, is not something that everyone interested in it can take up. Of course, there are the occasional rebels who break free from societal constraints and choose these professions, even becoming highly successful. However, such individuals are few, and the majority of those interested in these fields either remain unnoticed throughout their lives, remain underpaid and overworked, or simply give up the dream of becoming a writer.
Countless people choose to get a degree in Literature or language, after which they apply for jobs. However, such people often find themselves unemployed or underpaid. A few lucky individuals manage to achieve fame and success, while the majority remain in the shadows. Many are then forced to take on other, low-paying jobs, and the cycle continues.
Poetry, Literature, and writing in general are forms of expression. They have sadly become dying arts in our fast-paced lives. What society fails to understand is the fact that without people who write these things, the world would lose its beauty. These writers are the ones who have assigned beauty to our surroundings. A writer sees and appreciates the smallest of details in nature; details that go unnoticed by ordinary people. Writers give the world some food for the soul. Without such people, the bodies of people may remain satisfied, but the souls of the human race will lurk in the darkness with a deep, unquenchable thirst.
The contribution of poets, literary scholars, and writers should never be underappreciated. Not everyone can take a few words and convert them into something magical. A person who specializes in a particular field typically plays a limited role in that field; a writer, on the other hand, assumes multiple roles, each tailored to the specific requirements of the situation. For creativity to thrive, we must ensure that creative minds are encouraged and protected. Only then will this art continue living.