Random Thoughts on Poetry

When you start matching the pace of time, passion gradually makes way for wisdom. Yes, time is the most fantastic Guru. It is true even in the case of poetry. Any poet may find the most profound themes scattered along the path. Observation, if passionate, however, might debauch the deepest of themes. It has to be composed, stable, and objective. It comes, naturally, with wisdom. Moreover, wisdom comes only if you start moving on as time flies. Only then do you understand that everything in this mortal world is ephemeral except time that outlasts every animate and inanimate!

Personal angst, agony, anger, anxiety and pleasure might produce good poetry. However, to create the best, as many poets have expressed in the past, these personal experiences have to be forged with imagery and wisdom to find a universal resonance.

Yes, emotions have a significant role to play in poetry. However, a poet not only has to observe but also absorb all the emotions objectively in order to express them in verse. Only a calm and detached mind can observe and absorb at the same time. If you participate, you may find the poetic output tilted towards your bias. Once again, let me reiterate that time is the ultimate observer. If you want to become a successful poet, observe everything like time and narrate the tale objectively.

~ Dr Alok Mishra