Do poets need to learn the 'craft' of poetry, or is writing poetry instinctive?

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Elaine P

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Is poetry part craft? Can books help a poet learn how to do it better? For those interested in the craft of poetry, here is a link. The poetry section of this book, only 36 pages long, can be downloaded for free or read on-screen:

http://www.poetsofmars.com/index_copy(68).html
 
A great question! Poetry does require (or I find that it does for me) learning the craft of using language. My professional language of nursing and medicine also required me to learn (30 years ago) a new craft and I'm sure my first charting was not too unlike my first poems. At some point you have to learn the basics. I hope I have a little artistic flair as well.
 
I believe we can all learn to draw or write to reasonable standard through study of the methods and systems of doing so, but I also believe there is an undefinable essence in some people's psychological make up that sets them apart. These are the people who light up the world, who see things from a different perspective or through a different window. Just occasionally it it is cracked - and that is when the light can get in!

To me, these are the great writers, poets, artists, thinkers of our world and a lot of what they do is instinctive.

The study and methodology is what helps to provide the tools to put these insights into a form that we can all access and benefit from. It is complementary, not a prerequisite.

In answer to your question I would say that great poetry is indeed part craft, part art, part magic.

(I've never actually studied the mechanics or craft of poetry, but following your link I am about to do so.)
 
it is part, maybe mostly, craft for sure, I believe, at the source, it is a desire to express yourself when other mediums ( art, music, novels ) either hold no appeal or feel too tedious.

I do photography as a hobby where I have a strong interest in preserving ordinary scenes without a twisted presentation. I also enjoy writing free verse poetry without a twisted regimented presentation.

I could study both in depth,,, I'd rather learn as I go.
 
I think a poet can simply write for pleasure in any format and style they wish and disregard everyone else. Styles can be copied by reading and practising. There is room for free form spontaneous poetry. Some poets are quite instinctive and inate in their ability (knowing how to spell correctly, using a broad vocabulary and writing with their own discovered rhythm, in many styles) and write voraciously for the sake of communication and personal expression.

If the poet chooses to pursue the "craft" to a higher proficiency in order to be "measured" by others (reviewed and critiqued) and potentially to be published, then yes they need to be informed and learned about their subject matter and hold an academic attitude. Reading and learning will help that improvement in competency.

I lean more to type number one, because I am not an academic, I just love words and wordplay and the pictures that I can create using words. I aint perfect in my technique by any stretch of the imagination. I don't aim to be, I don't fret about not hitting the mark or even garnering approval. Just sharing the contents of my heart and head is enough to satisfy me. I write instinctively and when inspired. I'm happy with that. If people like what I write then that is doubly good. If not, then I am still happy, it's a win/win situation for me.

Is poetry, is good.
 
I thought poetry writing was instinctive. Until I came into YA Q/A. Now that I have learned more, I think poetry is a craft that is as complex as the poets that write it. Do poets need to learn the craft? No. But knowing how to use the tools is one way of improving any talent, poetry included. Thank you for the link.
 
Poetry is instinctive, though the more knowledge you gain the more craft you will have.
 
i see that you are scared
to find out what is in there
take a pen, write to dare
clearly ul see if you bad or fare
 
You will find as many diverse answers to this question as you can find answers. I did not study to learn to write poetry, I simply read poetry a lot. Most are familiar with the fact that my father taught me to read before I started school with a book of Robert Louis Stevenson's poetry. You can imagine my teacher's shock when as a first grader(no kindergarten back then), I stood up and recited "The Land of Counterpane" from that book, and that I was totally bored trying to read:
See Dick.
See Jane.
See Dick run.
See Jane run.
Run Dick, run.
Run Jane, run.
Anyways, I digress. Without the early exposure to poetry, I would not have ever tried to write it. To write poetry does take a bit of knowing what you are doing, but it also takes a talent for putting words together in a manner that makes it poetry and not just a journal. If you want to write greeting card poetry. that just takes a talent for rhythm and rhyme, but to write poetry for poets, it also takes education to keep from looking like an idiot. You should know what words mean and how to use them. I have written my own share of garbage, as have most poets or writers of any words, but occasionally I write something I like. With more education on the subject of poetry, maybe I could develop my 'craft'.
 
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