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Question: Do poets need to learn the 'craft' of poetry, or is writing poetry instinctive!?
Is poetry part craft!? Can books help a poet learn how to do it better!? For those interested in the craft of poetry, here is a link!. The poetry section of this book, only 36 pages long, can be downloaded for free or read on-screen:

http://www!.poetsofmars!.com/index_copy(68!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
A good part of poetry is craft, and good poets are constantly improving!. Gifts we may have, but they don't come with instruction manuals, and pictures without frames are seldom hung!.

If he wasn't first a draftsman, a learned skill, Picasso could have done squat as an artist!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It would have been so easy to answer this question about a century ago, because then, poetry, like literature in general, or art, could be said to be a craft, that you learned by reading and practice!. But nowadays, the definition of art or literature has evolved so much, what is that craft exactly!? It seems that for some people, a "good" (grammatical) knowledge of language is the basic requirement!. But personally, I think that poetry (like literature in general) partakes of its past, and that, even if you do not use classical forms, you have to be aware of what preceded you!. Poetry, like literature, is an art of memory, personal memory, and also memory of all the poets that came before you!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I believe we can all learn to draw or write to reasonable standard through study of the methods and systems of doing so, but I also believe there is an undefinable essence in some people's psychological make up that sets them apart!. These are the people who light up the world, who see things from a different perspective or through a different window!. Just occasionally it it is cracked - and that is when the light can get in!

To me, these are the great writers, poets, artists, thinkers of our world and a lot of what they do is instinctive!.

The study and methodology is what helps to provide the tools to put these insights into a form that we can all access and benefit from!. It is complementary, not a prerequisite!.

In answer to your question I would say that great poetry is indeed part craft, part art, part magic!.

(I've never actually studied the mechanics or craft of poetry, but following your link I am about to do so!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think a poet can simply write for pleasure in any format and style they wish and disregard everyone else!. Styles can be copied by reading and practising!. There is room for free form spontaneous poetry!. Some poets are quite instinctive and inate in their ability (knowing how to spell correctly, using a broad vocabulary and writing with their own discovered rhythm, in many styles) and write voraciously for the sake of communication and personal expression!.

If the poet chooses to pursue the "craft" to a higher proficiency in order to be "measured" by others (reviewed and critiqued) and potentially to be published, then yes they need to be informed and learned about their subject matter and hold an academic attitude!. Reading and learning will help that improvement in competency!.

I lean more to type number one, because I am not an academic, I just love words and wordplay and the pictures that I can create using words!. I aint perfect in my technique by any stretch of the imagination!. I don't aim to be, I don't fret about not hitting the mark or even garnering approval!. Just sharing the contents of my heart and head is enough to satisfy me!. I write instinctively and when inspired!. I'm happy with that!. If people like what I write then that is doubly good!. If not, then I am still happy, it's a win/win situation for me!.

Is poetry, is good!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You will find as many diverse answers to this question as you can find answers!. I did not study to learn to write poetry, I simply read poetry a lot!. Most are familiar with the fact that my father taught me to read before I started school with a book of Robert Louis Stevenson's poetry!. You can imagine my teacher's shock when as a first grader(no kindergarten back then), I stood up and recited "The Land of Counterpane" from that book, and that I was totally bored trying to read:
See Dick!.
See Jane!.
See Dick run!.
See Jane run!.
Run Dick, run!.
Run Jane, run!.
Anyways, I digress!. Without the early exposure to poetry, I would not have ever tried to write it!. To write poetry does take a bit of knowing what you are doing, but it also takes a talent for putting words together in a manner that makes it poetry and not just a journal!. If you want to write greeting card poetry!. that just takes a talent for rhythm and rhyme, but to write poetry for poets, it also takes education to keep from looking like an idiot!. You should know what words mean and how to use them!. I have written my own share of garbage, as have most poets or writers of any words, but occasionally I write something I like!. With more education on the subject of poetry, maybe I could develop my 'craft'!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

for me it is as it is with anything, it can be done anyway anyone wants to do it, ive been writing since i was quite young more or less as just a journal, my thoughts tend to arrange themselves in a poem form in my head and i would just replicate, i really dont read poetry, i hadnt read any before i started writing and thats what lead me to my own unique way of writing i suppose, of course for someone else its completely different, some study rules and others break them, ive a very spatial mind that creates a vision of the poem im about to write like a puzzle, i actually do this with anything i do whether its poetry or song or drawing or decorating

i believe everyone has an 'instinctive' creativity which will either be expressed as a free form flowing poem with no bounds or limits or simply a limerick!.!.!. or a song, or a painting, or a blueprint!.!.!. everyone works in their own way and reading a book about poetry helps me just as a hike in the woods does, the experiences can only enrich and stimulate my creativityWww@QuestionHome@Com

From my readings as a literary student, i discover that most prominent philosophers and literary critiques in the past believe that poets need to learn the 'craft' of poetry, in addition to their inherent talents or abilities!. Haven't read that particular book though, i'll give it a read and later on leave my comments there!. Thank you, Elaine!. =)Www@QuestionHome@Com

As child I was 'good' at drawing!. So, as it earned me praise, I did more and more!.!.!.then because I was interested in improving I began to look (really look) at paintings to help me grow!.
When I began writing poetry - I was 'good' at it (by laymen's standards) but I wanted to explore and grow!.!.!.so began to read poetry, all kinds!.
So this was my education!. It is only recently I have been learning about the mechanics of it all!. I am an instinctive poet, with some understanding of what I am doing!. I can see how much better my recent poetry is compared with my earlier stuff!.!.!.so yes, I think most of us do need to learn the craft of poetry!.!.!.!.the exception being the truly gifted!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A great question! Poetry does require (or I find that it does for me) learning the craft of using language!. My professional language of nursing and medicine also required me to learn (30 years ago) a new craft and I'm sure my first charting was not too unlike my first poems!. At some point you have to learn the basics!. I hope I have a little artistic flair as well!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

it is part, maybe mostly, craft for sure, I believe, at the source, it is a desire to express yourself when other mediums ( art, music, novels ) either hold no appeal or feel too tedious!.

I do photography as a hobby where I have a strong interest in preserving ordinary scenes without a twisted presentation!. I also enjoy writing free verse poetry without a twisted regimented presentation!.

I could study both in depth,,, I'd rather learn as I go!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I thought poetry writing was instinctive!. Until I came into YA Q/A!. Now that I have learned more, I think poetry is a craft that is as complex as the poets that write it!. Do poets need to learn the craft!? No!. But knowing how to use the tools is one way of improving any talent, poetry included!. Thank you for the link!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think and feel one must learn the craft, the mechanics, to be a master
at the craft!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Language is a craft!. Look at all the different levels we see here!. How can a person who can't find the shift key deliver such well thought out retort!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

The language is the craft!.
Poetry itself is a gift!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Poetry is instinctive, though the more knowledge you gain the more craft you will have!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i see that you are scared
to find out what is in there
take a pen, write to dare
clearly ul see if you bad or fare
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