Poetry is hard. Modern poetry is harder.
Why do we read modern poetry?
The poem gives us an experience made out of words. In modern poetry the words are not given as straight forward information. The words shake and shatter. The words did-organize our model of reality.The words make us work. The poem requires us to re-present ourselves, that is, the poem invites us to become present again to life. And when we work to understand, the poem offers us an insight laden experience.
How do we read modern poetry?
Remember the 1980’s television series Columbo? I recommend we approach a poem like homicide detective Columbo, played by Peter Falk, approached a crime scene. Columbo arrived at the scene expecting to be stymied, confused, thrown off, yet prepared to work until he solves the mystery.
He pays attention to the details.
He knows every detail is a clue.
He collects evidence.
He follows the leads.
He returns to the scene again and again each time asking questions.
He interprets the facts until he comprehends the event and apprehends the culprit.
We approach a poem in the same way Columbo approached a crime scene, knowing in advance that understanding will require work.
The clues are the poet’s carefully chosen words. Words are all the construction materials a poet has
to work with. Therefore, poets choose their words judiciously. The poet is not showing off. She is selecting the right hardworking word for the job. If you don’t know the word even better. You have a chance to deepen your vocabulary. (Anyone within distance of a laptop or smartphone has easy access to a source of words and definitions.) What are the criteria for the right hardworking word?
What it means?
How it sounds?
What mood it arouses?
Its affect the other words in the poem?
The memories and allusions the word evoke?
The poet does not just deliver factual information. The poem delivers the multifaceted nugget of experience. The poet chooses words for effect. Feel the effect. The poet creates a scene. We step into the scene. The poem offers us a teachable moment.
What does the scene demand of us? Our attention.
What can the poem give us? An insight laden experience.
Granted, all poets and poems are not equally worthy of our attention. Some poets speak to me, many don’t. But the criterion for choosing to read is not ease of understanding. The criterion for choosing a difficult poem:
Does it create in me a fertile discomfort that challenges me to grow?