Ode to poetry

The technical definition ode
/ōd/
noun
a lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter.
a poem meant to be sung An ode is a type of lyrical stanza. It is an elaborately structured poem praising or glorifying an event or individual, describing nature intellectually as well as emotionally. A classic ode is structured in three major parts: the strophe, the antistrophe, and the epode.

In plain words… An ode is a poem written about a single subject that is usually meant to be sung. (You see this often with poetry… Meant to be sung. Not all poetry works as song, but if you can’t at least read it aloud then you need to rewrite it.)

I am a free poet. The more structure in a form the harder time I have with it. Not because I do not know how to write within a structure, but because I don’t like the confines. Some poets are assisted by the structure. I am not.

I read that the best poets know and understand the rules of poetry so as to break them. I have been finding out lately that I can write these forms, just that I do not want to. However, that is me. You may enjoy the structure of a new form.

Here is my attempt at an ode.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I think that the teenager I was fell in love with the idea of a teen girl poet. Her words spoke to me deeply. Btw… My apology for missing Sunday. I slept all day.

Sara Teasdale

Picture found on Google

Sara Teasdale is one of two poets that I found through Irene Hunt’s coming of age novel. I fell in love with the poem “I shall not care” and had to search for more by her. Admitted, I have not researched the poet as well as I did her work.

Her writing is flowing and feels like love poetry with out the sappy nature of some love poetry. I chose four of her poems to share as my favorite of hers. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.

And a side note… I thoroughly recommend Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt. The story is dated, but it holds up well. The lessons the main character learns are just as valid sixty years later. I really felt like I was with her as she grew and matured.

Monday Poetry