Hmmmm....

so I’ve been thinking. about different kinds of poetry. not so much about cathartic poetry versus…legit poetry, but more about voluntary versus involuntary poetry. quick definition: cathartic poetry is being upset and writing to feel better about it. we know this. involuntary poetry, on the other hand, is when something happens, or you see something, or you even think of something, and you just know that you have to write about it, right that second. it is easy and simple in the same way that breathing is, or even blood circulation. the poetry flows through your hand onto the page the same way blood flows through veins- an unconscious, organic effort. so, voluntary poetry. who hasn’t tried to completely control their breathing? breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out…but after about a minute, it gets really boring because it is SO FREAKING TEDIOUS. voluntary poetry, the conscious decision to sit down and write, without the inspired impulse to do so isn’t quite as tedious as trying to control your breathing, but it is harder than one of those moments when you’re seized with inspiration. yes?

so who knows, maybe I’m just the really naïve young semi-poet. maybe once I learn specific genres and structures of poetry that’ll change, since a sonnet (for example) seems kind of like putting a puzzle together. all the pieces have to fit just so, otherwise it won’t work, but hopefully the pieces add up to an actual coherent picture. then again…puzzles can be fun, but they still are tedious.
just pondering.