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You'll read a longer definition of poetry later. Now let's recall the short definition: a poem is a sensual report which induces in reader reflections which go far beyond the literal meaning of the text. Let's see an example:
| when I was old enough to put myself to bed |
|---|
I would pick my way
through shards of broken dishes
that lined the floor and lie down
between my parents,
hoping the alcohol
singing in their blood
would seep beneath my skin
and I would sleep
rocked by the temporary truce
of their steady snores
|
| LeeAnn Heringer ©, 1995 |
The title implies that the lyrical subject is a small child. Knowing that the author is a woman I imagine a small girl. (here imagining a small boy would feel essentially about the same). The first three lines present an image of a small child whose world is so close to the floor. The poem is very specific, very sensual.
The shard that lined the floor and the child lying down, including her parents in the bed, it's all the same horizontal world--that's the poetic vision, the poetic reality, and the poetic truth of this poem. It exists in the atmosphere of the parents' steady snores.
We have nothing but a report by senses. But the impact of the poem goes far beyond a simple report. Without any explicit spelling of any extremal emotions the poem is very dramatic. It's even depressing but it does have certain uplifting message too. The child despite the harsh circumstances finds security. A very moving poem. In its modest way, without imposing on a reader anything by force (in your face), this poem makes readers feel so much.
Poetry, like most everything, admits two views: external and internal. They harmonize and complement each other.
Poetry exists completely within the following three premises:
Poetry is the art of words.