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On Authenticity

Requirements, or strictures, often stifle creativity
Thus, I tend to avoid forms with strict syllable count,
I appreciate a suggested topic, but I may not feel it,
And the message of any poem should be paramount.
Best expressed in the poet’s unique choice of phrases
Its origins are necessarily found in the poet’s psyche,
Blossoming with rhythm reads with robust originality
Prepared themes often cripple the poet’s authenticity.

The great poets of yesteryear allowed clear departures
Which accounts for the proliferation of poetry forms,
Today, our mutations of the long-accepted sonnets,
Variations on old French formats, are accepted norms.
So, none of the aforementioned are revealing secrets,
But giving credence to the diversity of poetic outlets. 

Written July 11, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/11/2022 8:48:00 PM It is true that we put ourself onto the pages of our poems, so I really enjoyed this "Its origins are necessarily found in the poet’s psyche, Blossoming with rhythm reads with robust originality" Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/12/2022 7:53:00 AM Thanks, Caren. You write with such originality, which is one reason I was drawn to your work initially.

Jim Slaughter Date: 7/11/2022 1:43:00 PM I agree with this in toto, L M, but Line 4 is a problem for me. I've heard this far too often from writers who, in my opinion, are just too lazy to brush up on things like grammar, punctuation, etc. They say that "what they have to say is more important than how they say it." I say, not so! The "message" of any poem, in my opinion, is made much stronger when it is well-written. Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 7/11/2022 6:34:00 PM "it's not what you say....it's how you say it"....wish I had a buck for every time I've heard that.... L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2022 2:26:00 PM You are absolutely correct, Jim. I would never mean to imply that a poorly written message, even though understandable, is adequate! In fact, for a message to be read at its best, it must be written with proper grammar, spelling, etc. A misspelled word is so distracting, it is never acceptable, in my opinion.

Michael Tor Date: 7/11/2022 1:21:00 PM Love this Narrative Milton. I can appreciate your knowledge and research. It shows your love for this craft. Thank you for sharing and giving the reasons for the developments of Poetry Forms. Who is your favorite writer, and who is the Poet, you love to read and admire the most? Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2022 1:30:00 PM Oh my, Michael. As to writers, I have enjoyed all of Lee Child's books, as far a popular stuff goes. As to classical, recently I re-read all of Shakespeare's plays. Can't beat the bard. I do really like Maya Angelou's poems. A fan of Dylan Thomas, too. These just off the top of my head, but there are many, many others. There are several poets here on the Soup whose works I really enjoy and look forward to, but I won't mention them, lest I leave someone out.