ELIMINATING OUTDATED IDEAS OF POETRY

When people are first introduced to literature in their High School English class, the works chosen are often from writers of a past generation. The timelines in which these books were written can range from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to Golding’s Lord of the Flies, published in 1954. For poetry, the gap of who students read narrows even more--often leaving people with a few different conclusions:

1. They do not understand poetry

2. Poetry bores them

3. Poetry isn’t relatable

Many students end up reading Shakespeare’s sonnets or Edgar Allen Poe’s  The Raven before they’re old enough to drive. So it is understandable why most people adopt these notions and vow never to read another line of poetry again. However, most people, including avid readers, are unaware of what poetry of the 21st century is like and its impact on their view of the modern world. 

POETRY IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES

A living library contains works from a diverse range of writers living today. When factoring in the mainstream’s preconceived ideas regarding poetry, the living library is more essential than ever. 

One of the main benefits of the living library is its ability to foster a diverse range of voices and perspectives, which in turn help readers from various backgrounds feel represented in the literary landscape. Historically, most canonical texts were written by cis white men. It wasn’t until recently that works from POC, LGBTQ+, Indigenous peoples, and disabled people started being recognized with the validity they deserved. By giving voice to living poets who have been historically silenced, there is an opportunity for these writers to discuss their work and its contribution to the societal issues we face in the 21st century.

In what ways can readers interact with living writers? 

1. READINGS

One of the best places to interact with living poets is by attending readings. Poetry is traditionally meant to be heard. Although poetry provides readers with a fulfilling experience on the page, attending poetry readings is a different experience that will also support authors. There will often be numerous featured poets at a single reading, which allows people to discover poets they wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise.

Before reading a given poem, writers might provide a bit of context about what prompted them to write it, explaining any vocabulary the audience needs to understand before reading a specific piece. Poets usually have their collections available for purchase, so audience members have an opportunity to buy books from their favorite or newly discovered writers.