In my quest to find the answer to that question, I have been reading through several poems from Delbanco and Cheuses' Literature Craft & Voice, and have gathered new information about some basic elements of poetry. As part of my learning outcomes for studying poetry, I have determined to learn more of the terms and genres of poetry. Take for example meter, a sequence of stressed and unstressed syllables that form a regular pattern in lines of poetry that serves to keep time and arranges a poem's sounds. We can measure meter by grouping two or three syllables that contain a stress with what is called a foot. There are more new terms I have learned in my quest to understand poetry. There is the iambic pentameter and scansion which are a part of a poem's meter and rhythm. Then there are many genres in poetry. I am trying to find the genre, rhythm and meter of different poems. After taking three hours to study up on some of these terms, genres and reading the common readings, I have decided to take Dr. Burton's suggestion to memorize a poem for one of my learning outcomes for poetry.
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| And so hold on |
The poem I would like to memorize is Rudyard Kipling's "If" that I used in my Poetry adaptation analysis. This poem poses lofty standards to live by, and so by memorizing it, I will be able to have direct reference so I can apply it in my life.
The title I have used is from the poem. . .
"And so hold on when there is nothing in you" lends me great inspiration.
It takes time for me to memorize a poem, but I have found it is well worth the effort.
