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The musicality of language.

I have realised why so much poetry on Neopoet has been boring me to tears lately.
There have been great ideas, profound emotional content, superb craftsmanship of form.

And a sad lack of musicality and originality of language. We have one of the most powerful, diverse linguistic tools in the world, the English language. And yet we use rhinestones and sequins instead of brilliant gems.

Vocabulary is the key. I have made it a life-long rule to never fail to look up in a dictionary a word I didn't understand. And as I've been saying in my signature note ""A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't" Mark Twain.

Reading and thoughtful choice of words, conveying something more than the trite usual is critical to great poetry.
cheers
Jess

Comments

""A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't" Mark Twain.

Mark Twain kind are born just once..
and of course
none can compare with you...
that alone is true..

loved

but it certainly applies to anyone with aspirations to writing or knowledge.
"none can compare with you...
that alone is true.."
I wouldn't want anyone to compare to me, for their own sake, but that second line is bullshit, and you should know it, as someone who values their worth over the number of 'hits' their poetry gets over the quality of the poetry itself. I doubt if you read at all except your own work and comments on it.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

I read many poets' poetry
and the one which inspires
fires
with in

and I compose...

well no poetic excellence do I ever claim ,
tis too late in the evening
to start all over again.

this poem was a consequence
what a shame
below the level
all the same.....

loved

Many a true word said in Jess..
I am not sure but I think it is rather lazy of poets to just use words without a reference.
I prefer poetry with plain talk and lovely melodies, Jack and Jill is much preferred to someone trying to show us they have swallowed a dictionary.
When reading a poem where there is a need to look up a few words other than typo's, I feel that the poet is writing for themselves, or on an Ego trip.
Though saying that there are some poets that are well read as I call it, and are quite within their rights to use big words as long as they realise that their audience is restricted.
Good piece here Jess, there is a box for extra words on any poem, this can be used by the poet to explain anything they want others to know..
Yours as always Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

I'm talking about the best words.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Thanks for your reply, I was just saying about those words we have to look up as I do, and I see you also, it is a way of learning new things.
This is one of the joys of having such a cross section of writers, there are many new words each day.
I think that your musicality and the use of the simpler words is great (saves me a lot of time)
Take care young traveller, of the great Southern hemisphere's most beautiful place..
Yours Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

I thought it was just me, reading and feeling gloomy. Words are gems, you have inspired me. Bugger, that means long hours writing. Funny how little comments sends one back into the zone.

Jenifer Jaspa James

I have found that using a variety of words instead of the same tired ones over and over can be a real challenge, especially in rhyming poetry. Now I know there are places on line where one can look up whole lists of rhyming words.,,,,,,,,,but for me that kinda ruins the challenge. And adding to my personal challenge is my desire to use only words in common use. I reckon I make it harder on myself than I need to lol. But you're right to bring attention to the fact that we all can grow stale unless we put real effort into not doing so...........stan

"i'm not talking about big words,
I'm talking about the best words"....

spot on

cheers
p

best ...not big
which one ?
from where can pick
a word which
will be loved by all...

loved

the "best" words depend upon what one is writing about.
there is no hard and fast list as to what the "best" words are...
sometimes, the best word will be a "big" word....sometimes not.

cheers
p

my best could be your worst
when ones moods just burst

thanks for the clarification...
I wonder if you have read me..

loved

i have read some of your works, yes

so kind of you...

loved

It seems to me words are accompanied by much baggage. One's (mis)understanding, one's ego and one's (in)ability to compose a poem that uses all (or as many) of the senses with which we are endowed.

In that there is a musicality that corresponds to/with our emotional, intellectual and spiritual nature. If the language and intent is precise, than all levels will vibrate with its sound.

It's the completion of a seamless energy.

~A

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