Computer Art by kenne
Decoding Poetry
Poetry, what is it?
Is it not all things —
Feeling?
Thoughts?
Ideas?
Wisdom?
Beauty?
Music?
Art?
In human existence?
Is it not all things —
Love?
Hate?
Despair?
Fear?
Greed?
Charity?
Of human experience?
Yet, some claim
the words of poetry,
as if anointed
announcing to the world,
“I know the code!”
Poetry is not code,
allowing entrance
only to a few
fettered and packaged
for the scholarly.
In the end,
there is no right
or wrong answer —
poetry is like dancing,
if it feels good,
do it!
— kenne
I wrote this poem, March 2009. Having been part of a literary group that took pride in being a part of the
academic establishment. I love poetry. I write poetry. But I take pride in not being a part of the traditional literary establishment, having never taken formal writing classes, preferring to stay in
isolation — untrained.
Through the blogosphere, I share my unpolished poetry with other digital poets. A world where I can do so without “gatekeepers.” Many blogosphere poets, having gotten a taste of writing and sharing poetry, move on into the literary establishment seeking formal training in the academy while networking their digital world.
Many digital poets may not be winning awards but are becoming recognized by thousands of people around the globe. Poetry has become viral — yes, viral. So much so that today’s NY Times (November 8, 2015) has a front-page article, “Web Poet’s Society: New Breed Succeeds in Taking Verse Viral.” Those of us who have been writing and blogging for some time are not in the least bit surprised. Who said poetry was dead?
Becoming is Superior to Being 