Poetry writing is turning into a fashion rather than instinct, urge.

I tend to agree Avishek...I am part of it.

Also, on this site, poetry seems to have become a vehicle for people to talk about themselves, their feelings, their mental condition.

Merely an observation David in the same way that Avishek made one about fashion. To respect Avishek this discussion thread should probably stick to his original point.

On social media Avishek, most poetry IS fashion and not at all the product of instinct. Instagram is an example of this.

Write Out Loud is one of the only places online I've found that not only encourages a writer's healthy growth (albeit often at the expense of favoritism), and does not provide too big of a toxic backdrop that trolls thrive on to belittle others. Most, if not all the people on this site come here and post their poetry for honest feedback, or for the mere fact of putting their emotions to paper and finally to rest by expressing it for others to see.

For some it is enough merely to post it and not to publish, which is fine. For others, the thrill of seeking publication can turn into an ordeal before they know it, but still gets them through the day.

On this same note, spur-of-the-moment poetry can result in some of the most beautiful, artistically inspired words to ever grace a page.

Before putting down a word I went through the discussions several times. Actually a writer can not not evade his own shadow.can we? In most cases poetry tends to be subjective. These subjective emotions with the brush of poets thought become universal.Thats how we relate to several works. In my case I doubt myself in my ability to compose a poetry.I often stumble.But thats not my point.I hinted at the show off.Now a days poetry lack pure emotive fervour.Sometime it seems that we are producing poetry without sinking into abyss of beauty,emotion.Poetry writing has become a duty ,not an inner urge,an insatiable thirst.This is my personal feeling.Thanks to Brian,Wolfgar and Big Sal for your valuable discussions.The variety in discussions is a gift indeed.

Personal sniping apart, poetry is (as far as my involvement is concerned) currently very popular. That is why the corporates are climbing on the bandwagon. Much to the anguish of much of the grass roots level.

Knowing that there is very little money in being a poet is what bonds most of us together, hence the condemnation of those adding their names to the Nationwide Ads by some of the purists.

I do wonder if Carol Ann Duffy had been offered a TV Ad would she have done it. I think possibly she would have. Whereas other notables would have turned it down.

We’ll never know will we?

Glad someone bothered to tackle your question Avishek.

Poetry for me is definitely a way I express my feelings. When I have extra emotions running through my body my writing is always much better. I fell in love with poetry for this reason. When i have more poems up i think we will all see i am just pouring my feelings out about all life situations. Haha! And its not something I will apologise for bit I hope each reader will enjoy it.
My favourite poetry to read on this site has also been from writers expressing their feelings. That's what poetry is all about for me. Feeling the words which I put on the paper ?

Hello everyone,
I guess this may be too late, but I thought you may be interested in this article that I was led to via it's translation into French in Courier International:

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/08/when-poetry-isnt-poetry/567571/

I could get stuck into many of the ideas appearing in the thread above, but I won't go there for the moment. I'm probably guilty of all the "offenses" mentioned. I will say that I think poetry can both pour from the soul and be carefully crafted and refined: that it can be personal therapy and still be shared to hopefully help others: and that one person's fashion soundbite could be another's turning point for the week/month/lifetime.

Poetry eh? The perfect vehicle for emotions to die in after a fiery crash with reality.?

Agreed, this is my first time doing anything like this and it’s been fun and positive. I don’t use social media much don’t find it does anything for me.
I have a few questions.

Can a story be considered a poem. What defines a poem? I always see poetry as short thought provoking words. But I’m seeing a lot of great imagery here. Which I like. I guess it’s more of an intellectual challenge to readers when it’s longer.

Honestly, to me, anything shorter than a couple couplets is usually just a quote or a haiku. Anything longer than 40 lines and it can veer into mini-epic territory, as most people have much shorter attention spans than that. Usually only the real lovers of reading will go that far in any poem.

My next book is one, single story broken up into different shards of memory, and as such has many themes making up a single concept. So, yes, a story can very much be a poem, but it has to be done right for fear of overplaying either side. Too poetic or abstract and you stand the chance of folk not understanding it, and too many story elements and you have the chance of putting off normal readers that read for the love of poetry itself.

If you ask WOL to define what a poem is, be prepared for a month-long foray into superiority complexes, personal opinions, very little facts, and a lot of hot air. Just write what feels right for you, and eventually once you find your feet as a writer the topics will become much easier to verbalize and write down. Practice indeed does make perfect.

If poetry is the poor man's feast, then imagery is the fork we bring to eat. Can't do much without using it a lot in different places sometimes.

And to be honest, some of the best poems on here are often less than 20 lines.?

For me, poetry is what I dream with. Sometimes the dream can be discomfiting and strange, sometimes it can be more familiar and comfortable. I try to surprise myself, sometimes I succeed. It's not exactly a story but it might contain stories. Or fragments of stories. Poetry is written in the language of the waking dream.

Well, that's what I think today at least.