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What do you get out of reading oldpoetry?


  • Kevin
    Mar 9 1:32 PM 2006
    Reply
    Myself, I always write a bit more like them after I've been reading. I used to get on big kicks where I'd read a lot of keats then write poems like him, then Poe the next week, etc. I must have had so much spare time back then!

    What do you do with oldpoetry? What do you wish you did?

  • poetryality
    April 3, 2006
    Reply

    They are my Mentors!

    As a child, my grandmother used to recite Dunbar's (Paul Laurence Dunbar) from memory to us. When I was in the 11th grade, my teacher recited one in class that I was familiar with. I was upset! How dare he steal my grandmother's poetry! When I got home, I called Grandmother and reported this plagiarist. Oh did she ever laugh. She then informed me who the author was. I was so totally embarrassed. LOL

    Langston Hughes is my all time favorite. Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Margaret Walker (who is still living). I must check to see if some of her works are in the public domain.

    Kevin, can we now add contemporary poets to this site? I really wish we could. I am having a hard time finding unsung Black poets on the web. I have spent half a day here today just trying tot get used to the newness. I got courage from somewhere. LOL

    Take good care now!

    Renee

  • poetryality
    April 4, 2006
    Reply

    Ahem...I read the homepage!

    I actually read the entire home page here at OP this morning! Sooooo I am going to add lots of authors. Died before 1955 right? That's the year after I was born.

    Shhhhhh... Don't tell a soul! LOL

  • poetryality
    April 4, 2006
    Reply

    Ahem...I read the homepage!


    • rufina caraid
      April 5, 2006
      Reply
      You read the homepage I assume Renee lol @ you - there's no stopping you now.

      Von

  • I-Like-Rhymes
    July 7, 2006
    Reply
    What do I get out of reading oldpoetry? Well...
    First. A great deal of enjoyment from reading well crafted pieces and puzzling out how the poet obtained a particular reaction from me.
    Second. A comforting sense of the past with its calmer pace and generally less frenetic rhythm and pace.
    Third. A desire to try in some way to emulate them.
    Fourth. I must also confess to a feeling of superiority in being able to share the thoughts of these great people whilst so many people are ignoring them as irrelevant has-beens.
    And out of Oldpoetry as a site I get a sense of belonging to a caring community. Maudlin but true.
    Jim

  • SilkySabrina
    September 14, 2006
    Reply

    What Do I Get From Oldpoetry

    What I get from oldpoetry, is a childhood filled with great dreams from a compiled, dusty book. My favorite is Poe. His brash way of writing was awesome. I truely enjoyed his mentoring words. I am now, just as you all. I read upon those scribed words, and somehow turn them into a world of my own.

  • Raazi
    October 15, 2006
    Reply
    Whenever I write a good poem, I feel on top of the world (like any other artist)......but then I read on old poem, and then I feel "I have miles to go before I sleep".

  • Carlos Perez
    February 10, 2007
    Reply

    on oldpoetry... and not so oldpoetry

    I have been doing performance poetry for a good ten years, and writting for about 12... and I must say that reading this site is very refreshing, as it provides poetry that covers a lot of the non conventional North American and European poets... but I think that it could still improve by adding African, Caribbean and Latin American poets... but having said that, I appreciate how the site is still developing. I am more than greatful for having the opportunity to expose some of my own work that for many years have only been taken in within the communities that have provided me the chance to perform for them... along with my little Ottawa based publisher who do their outmost to spread my work around... and in the world of plastic lifestyles and hyperconsumerism, relying on a small press to express your work is a rebelious act and an act of conscious human affirmation.

    I hope to keep being surprised to see more and more new and old oldpoetry every time I log in.

    Cheers and solidarity,
    Carlos

  • gregorcles
    April 3, 2007
    Reply
    I have to agree with Kevin - reading old poets then writing like them. But my mind has strangely picky tastes: I can't read a book comfortably and enjoy it unless it's in good binding, 100+ years old, and everything is spaced well on the page. Typing so many poets onto OP has certainly helped things along in reading thru my collection, and rather pounded good rhythms into my mind. So far, John Milton in 4 vols., 1750-3, and Lord Byron in 3 vols., 1819, are my particular favourites, the prizes of my poetry collection. It'd be a sad and boring life without all these old poets. Just imagine a world with no flowers in spring.

  • dustookie2
    September 15, 2007
    Reply
    I find it educational to read their works with interest and admire how so many wrote about issues way ahead of their time... as an example I would really like to see Ted Joans, The .38 . This is one brilliant poem about domestic violence and one poem I believe a lot of people will appreciate.

  • Ahkam
    September 23, 2007
    Reply

    Peace of mind

    Peace of mind and a divine Inspiration

  • Anybodys-guess
    October 20, 2007
    Reply
    When I spend time here...it's like hanging out with old friends and catching up. Comfortable old chair, a cup of cocoa and I'm good right here.

    • rufina caraid
      October 20, 2007
      Reply

      Anybodys-guess

      I just read your comment above and i totally agree with you - it leaves a wonderful feeling doesn't it?

      Von
      Oldpoetry Team

  • rhondasail
    November 6, 2007
    Reply
    Old Poetry for me it isn't old at all. Ideas and emotions and places and people exist again when I read these works. It is like walking through time and being an invisible part of each era or place. I love it here and I don't come by often enough. I appreciate all of the hard working researchers here for making it a simple thing for me to enjoy masters of poetry at the touch of a few keys from the comfort of my old chair. You are all unsung heroes to me! . Peace to all, Rhonda

    • rufina caraid
      November 6, 2007
      Reply
      On behalf of the team past and present Rhonda Thank You.

      Personally speaking it has always been a labour of love for me and continues to be after nearly 5 years. I'm forever amazed at the poetry as it appears seemingly from out of the blue via Internet. My most satisfying acheivments though are when I've typed a poem from one of my books to add. I enjoy the poem much more when reading it this way. Thank You for all your in-depth comments too. This is the very reason Oldpoetry began its journey 5 years ago.
      Regards. Von
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