Focus: Poetry and connection

Over the past decade or two, society changed. Lifestyles changed. People changed. But poetry didn't and so was left behind. This is the view most Gulf News readers expressed, when we put poetry's connection with people up for debate this week. The recently concluded Dubai International Poetry Festival aimed to revive the art as well as bridge cultures through poetry. But songs and music seem to be replacing the role poetry played earlier. But, can poetry ever be forgotten? Has any poem changed your view of life? Are people not bothered about poetry anymore? Share your views with us at readers@gulfnews.com.

Poetry lacks in mass appeal.

I definitely prefer books over poetry. This is simply because books have a story line and it is much easier to read between the lines and understand what the author is trying to say. On the contrary poetry demands great understanding of language and grammar for which many people like me don't have the patience. Thus, it never appealed to me as a hobby.

Stuti Agarwal
Dubai

I have never been a big fan of poetry, even though I enjoy fiction as well as Shakespearean plays. Poetry never captured my imagination. I believe it is a very complex form of literature. It would help if there is a continued progression in a child's life from nursery rhymes to poetry taught at schools. Also, I believe songs have replaced poetry in our lives.

Michael Wozney
Dubai

I write poetry and have my own website, which I started last year. The response has been quite nice and I feel people are still interested in poetry. Poems help connect people with the poets inner self. I find it easier to express myself through the written word. However, probably all the hidden meanings in poems are difficult for people to understand.

Walid Ali Khalid
Sharjah

I do like to read poetry once in a while if it is really nice and affects me. However, no one really cares about poetry. It used to be very popular in Dubai, but people seem to have left it behind. They do not actively go out and look for good poems, neither is it easily available for those who may be interested. People don't even seem to bring up the issue.

Armita Sahebkar
Dubai

Movies and novels have killed the popularity of poetry.

I write poems and have seen many online groups, with vast membership of poetry lovers. You can find numerous book stores with books on poetry. It is probably not glamorous, however, the biggest example of poetry still being popular is in text messaging - on each occasion or festival, there is some form of poetry forwarded to millions of mobile phone users in across the world.

Tarun Agarwal
Dubai

As a child, I based my imagination on what I read. I remember "Jack and Jill" or "Humpty Dumpty" was what my life revolved around. Today, sci-fi heroes and mythical creatures are taking a toll on children, through movies and books. The significance of poetry has been supressed It would help to make an honest effort to push the importance of poetry in a child's life.

Samantha Samuel
Dubai

The changing lifestyle was already adversely affecting our lives with 24-hour television. However, the biggest casualty seems to be poetry, not only in books but in our lives. There was a time when one could spot a poet in every person. It can be the best remedy for stress, tragedies or failures. Why are we killing the poet inside us?

Anjali Verma
Dubai

Songs are the new poems, for me. However, the lyrics are very poor. As long as the song has a catchy tune, it would become popular. Words really don't make a difference in determining popularity. I think older people would be really upset with this loss, but the younger generation seems to be taking to movies, celebrities and the media instead of poetry.

Farshid Ahmadi
Dubai

Promoting poetry through the internet will help reach it to the masses.

People are too busy with emails, mobile phones and their work schedule to take the time out to read poetry. I have looked at poetry sites and some of the poems are really good. However, there is not enough market for it. Music is are now taking the place of poetry. But the words in songs do not convey much. When a poet used to speak, it was from his heart.

Marli Henderson
Dubai

Internet groups would definitely help bring poetry to people. However, poetry was always a niche market, unless you consider rap as poetry! As a form of literature, it has always been confined to a small group of poetry lovers. Poetry has to be relevant to our lives for it to be popular. My favourite poem is 'A cloud in trousers'. Poetry should be definitely be taught at school.

Ksenya Prekovic
Dubai

People probably have less interest in poetry because songs are more popular. However, promoting through the internet would definitely help. I have seen various poetry websites, publishing the works of contemporary poets. There is a huge variety, from romantic to humorous poems and some of them are really good.

Muneeba Ashraf
Dubai

The internet would probably help those who have an interest in poetry. With the search engines and social networking groups, it would be invaluable for poetry lovers to have access to new and old poetry. I am not really interested in poetry myself. I learnt it in school, because it was compulsory but most people don't really care about poems.

Huda Jubran
Dubai

More poetry needs to be taught in schools for children to better understand language.

I have been writing poetry for a long time and like to write poems on events happening around me. People should not ignore poetry as it conveys a lot of ideas and even if they are unable to speak out, they can express by writing. I love to read good poems. Its content and the feeling it brings out is most important to me, regardless of who the poet is.

Sanyukta Gangadhar Krishna
Dubai

To understand and appreciate the beauty of poetry, it should be introduced to children early. Good poetry aids in getting in touch with ones various emotions and feelings. Humour can also be best expressed in poetry. Meanings of bravery, valour, pain and joy sink in deep in poetic form. Children will learn the art of visualisation when poetry is introduced in schools.

Geetam Kapur
Dubai

Poetry cannot be interpreted if you do not relate to it. Personally, I find novels more interesting and entertaining. But, I also believe that poetry strongly needs more publicity amongst the masses to make them read it just for fun. If possible, schools and colleges must keep the art form. As a child learns his nursery rhymes, he learns lessons that builds character.

Alex Brandes
Sharjah

Youngsters are usually brimming with emotions and thoughts, and by teaching them poetry, we can give them a way to express themselves. However, I do feel that if poetry is not according to their age, they will be unable to relate to it. Simpler poems should be taught at the primary level, with an increase in level as they grow up. Poetry writing competitions would also help.

Ummarah Rizwan
Ajman

Next week's focus: Internet turns 20

-The world wide web is the greatest technical innovation of the 21st century.

-Internet makes people anti-social.

-The way people study has improved because of the Web but it exposes children to too much danger.

- Internet has made the world a more equal place.

NEXT POLL
I cannot imagine life
without the internet:
- Yes
- No
- What internet?

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