Poetry Essay

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Llewellyn’s use of repetition flows throughout the poem with each stanza beginning with “there’ll be no more” (Lewellyn, 1936). That is until the reader comes to the final stanza, where Llewellyn’s resolve to conclude the relationship is illustrated by a slight, but powerful variation “there’s no more”. Poetry is a creative outlet for writers and for the readers. Iskov believes that “poetry writing is a friend to all writers” (Iskov, 2014). However poetry can also be seen as a friend to the reader, as poetry not only provides a gateway into new experiences, but also gives them a greater understanding of life.

Through the experiences created by the poet, Iskov considers the idea that the reader gains greater “awareness and understanding of the world” (Iskov, 2014). These experiences are not always pleasurable. For example, the overriding theme of Dickinson’s poem is love, an experience that many readers would have encountered at some stage in their life. However Dickinson’s experience of love within the poem is far from pleasurable, as depicted in the anguished tone threaded through each stanza. Dickinson’s poem guides the reader on her journey of despair Iskov believes that “poetry exists to communicate significant experiences” (Iskov, 2014).

Dickinson’s poem is not only attempting to convince the reader but also herself of why she cannot be with the one she loves. This is illustrated in the fifth stanza where she states “ Nor could I rise-with You- /Because Your face/Would put out Jesus” (Dickinson, 1830 – 1886). Here Dickinson is expressing that her love for this person is greater and more powerful than her love for Lord Jesus. This is also communicated to the reader through Dickinson’s punctuation, as she capitalises the word ‘You’ and ‘Your’ the same way as she has when referring to Jesus. The poem gives the reader insight into the pain and perplexity that comes with a forbidden love.

Owen wrote Dulce Et Decorum Est, in such a descriptive way that it is more than likely readers will lose themselves in the poem, finding each word a new experience, transporting them into the heart of World War One, even though most would never had experienced it. For the first three stanzas of Llewellyn’s poem Finished the reader is experiencing what many would call a normal pattern of a relationship fuelled by love. However the mood of the poem completely changes in stanza four, when Llewellyn reveals that the relationship turned abusive. Up until that point readers may have felt like they were experiencing the normal progression of a relationship, the revelation that this relationship is actually violent may also be a new experience for the reader. Iskov believes that “ poetry extends universally to all members of society” (Iskov, 2014), providing readers with a mountain of new experiences, which could be why poetry has remained such a vital language throughout time.

Iskov suggests that poetry is an ancient art form, that it has been considered as important throughout time (Iskov, 2014). This can be seen within the three poems discussed. As each author alive a different era, they still used poetry to express their experiences whether these experiences were beautiful ,ugly, strange or common. Howerever each era had different style and tone. Dickinson, who lived from 1830 to 1886, wrote I Cannot Live With You in a very cryptic tone. To understand and gain the full meaning of this poem the reader would have to look for hidden meanings within each sentence. Due to the time of when Dickinson was writing th poem, it may have been necessary to be cryptic as it wouldn’t have been appropriate for people, women in particularl, to write openly, about a forbidden love.

Whereas Owen’s poem Dulce Et Decorum Est, is extremely graphic, and detailed. Unlike Dickinson’s poem, the reader does not need to break down each sentence and decipher what the writer is trying to convey. Owen lived from 1893 to 1918. The openness and descriptive way he wrote this poem when compared to Dickinson’s, could be due to three factors. Firstly he was writing about a topic that is universally seen as glorious. He was also a man, and throughout every stage in history men have been able to more openly express their experiences. Finally he was also writing in a later time in history then Dickinson was, at a time when society may have been more liberal in allowing him to express himself.

Out of all the poems discussed Llewellyn’s piece finished is the most contemporary; each stanza comes across as blunt and to the point. This directness could be due to the fact she is writing in a more modern and progressive time. In this era there many other outlets for expression such as film, music and art, that have pushed the boundaries that once existed. Both Dickinson and Llewellyn speak of love from a personal and female perspective, although their experiences of love are different showing how “poetry is central to each individuals existence” (Iskov, 2014). This is in contrast to Owens poem with its theme of war, a subject where men all through time have been and still are the dominant players.

Iskov’s belief that poetry is a vital language, that is, and will continue to live through time, is apt. Poetry still has an interesting and relevant function within modern society. The Weekend Australian regularly publishes poetry. In early June it had a review on David Grossman’s book of poetry Falling out of time. The review ‘Beyond the solitude of prenatal grief, the pain lingers’ (Theaustralian.com.au, 2014) contained snippets of Grossman’s poem, on death of his child. These were displayed for the country to read and enjoy although they romanticising his grief. The reviewer highlighted “one of the books many spare and beautiful pieces:

Be careful,

you are saying

things.

The threads

Are so fine” (Theaustralian.com.au, 2014).

This review being published within The Weekend Australian further confirms Iskov’s belief that poetry is and will remain a vital language, which continues to live on and thrive throughout time.

Iskov’s essay discussed the importance and function of poetry. Throughout the essay Iskov explored many ideas that all linked back to the importance and function of poetry. Iskov’s theories that poetry is centered around: New and old experiences that many people can relate to, no matter their standing within society. Its ability to romanticizes themes, making even the most painful experiences pleasurable. Furthermore the fact that poetry is ancient,