Poetry?

[Collapsed We Swear]

Here's a discussion, 

1. why do you like poetry?
2. why do you like writing poetry?
3. how are the answers to those two questions connected—even if implicit within the answers?

[Wjames]

1. The general answer is I like poetry and all forms of art because they can create intense feeling. The more accurate but (somehow) less clear answer is I can like poetry and all forms of art for an infinite number of reasons that can be specific to one poem or other piece of art. Specifically with poetry, I often like abstract expressions of feeling using concrete images and sensations.

2. I don't really like writing poetry very much for the most part. It takes effort and I am lazy. I find making music much funner. I write poetry because I think I'm better with words than music, and I would like to make something I like and think is objectively (but even more importantly, subjectively) interesting and full of feeling. Working to make things I like is how I would spend most of my time in an ideal world, but I think of writing as work, not pleasure (albeit rewarding work). 

3. I like art therefore I make it.

There is my long and pretentious answer - but it's impossible not to be pretentious talking about whys.

[Collapsed We Swear]

1. The general answer is I like poetry and all forms of art because they can create intense feeling. The more accurate but (somehow) less clear answer is I can like poetry and all forms of art for an infinite number of reasons that can be specific to one poem or other piece of art. Specifically with poetry, I often like abstract expressions of feeling using concrete images and sensations.

2. I don't really like writing poetry very much for the most part. It takes effort and I am lazy. I find making music much funner. I write poetry because I think I'm better with words than music, and I would like to make something I like and think is objectively (but even more importantly, subjectively) interesting and full of feeling. Working to make things I like is how I would spend most of my time in an ideal world, but I think of writing as work, not pleasure (albeit rewarding work). 

3. I like art therefore I make it.

There is my long and pretentious answer - but it's impossible not to be pretentious talking about whys.

I don't think it's pretentious, at all.

[brynmawr1]

1. I love words and I love ideas.  Most of my adult life has been spent trying to convey information as efficiently and accurately as possible with a minimum of ambiguity.  There isn't room for alternate interpretation of what is written.  That only leads to confusion.  Poetry, for me, is an exploration of ambiguity; how two different things might be true at the same time.  Poetry also explores the unexpected connection of seemingly disparate realities/ideas or the new in old ideas.  Poetry is a distillation of the pleasure and pain of a complex existence made beautiful.

2.  I don't like writing poetry.  I have to write poetry.  All of my writing starts as myriad ideas/observations/random thoughts swirling in my head; a nebula that occasionally spits out some coalescence that takes further form like an embryo from Alien eventually bursting out messily onto the page.  I do my best to raise it right before I send it out into the world.  Okay, I do like it a little.  Don't we all love our children, no matter how imperfect?  And I don't mind whipping out the family album for those dumb enough to ask.

3.  I love words and ideas and the possibility that I might create something that adds to this world, even if by accident.

[Collapsed We Swear]

1. I love words and I love ideas.  Most of my adult life has been spent trying to convey information as efficiently and accurately as possible with a minimum of ambiguity.  There isn't room for alternate interpretation of what is written.  That only leads to confusion.  Poetry, for me, is an exploration of ambiguity; how two different things might be true at the same time.  Poetry also explores the unexpected connection of seemingly disparate realities/ideas or the new in old ideas.  Poetry is a distillation of the pleasure and pain of a complex existence made beautiful.

2.  I don't like writing poetry.  I have to write poetry.  All of my writing starts as myriad ideas/observations/random thoughts swirling in my head; a nebula that occasionally spits out some coalescence that takes further form like an embryo from Alien eventually bursting out messily onto the page.  I do my best to raise it right before I send it out into the world.  Okay, I do like it a little.  Don't we all love our children, no matter how imperfect?  And I don't mind whipping out the family album for those dumb enough to ask.

3.  I love words and ideas and the possibility that I might create something that adds to this world, even if by accident.

This is a fantastic response. 

I don't want to influence the replies, but it's really interesting that you both apparently don't like writing poems—but view it as some sort of sartrean burden—at least a little bit.

[carahmellow]

Here's a discussion, 

1. why do you like poetry?
I love it for the relatability and feelings it brings up. The first poem that ever changed me was by Maia Mayor... it was called Perfcect. I rememebr seeing her perform it in a youtube video, and I was awstruck. It was the only poem that made me cry... to this day I have watched it over and over again... I think this is why I prefer a conversational/spoken word poetry because you can really see and understand the author's feelings. Its so cool to see them share the poem the way it was intended. It can be so powerful. 
2. why do you like writing poetry?
Its like a puzzle. I'm not a sudoku girl... but I love puzzling out the perfect poem. Taking words out and putting words in. Trying to reform sentences to make it work better. it's so much fun, and then when you're finished you can share it. Its like an art piece that feels like a puzzle... best of both worlds.'
3. how are the answers to those two questions connected—even if implicit within the answers?
I have always seen poetry as one of those things that... if you write it, you like to read it.... and If you read it, you like to write it. It's one and the same.. and it makes the poetry community feel really safe, and kind of niche. It's art, and I love being able to share it with others because we both understand the puzzle behind the art, thats what makes it interesting and fun to read.... although, I dislike it when it gets too pretentious.

[Magpie]

Here's a discussion, 

1. why do you like poetry?
2. why do you like writing poetry?
3. how are the answers to those two questions connected—even if implicit within the answers?

It's interesting how he asked the question and never answered before getting banned.

The first two responses are fascinating in that they don't like writing poetry. I'm the same, it's a bit of a chore and I have to force myself to do it. I love the idea of it and then when I sit with a pen and paper it's hard. Also when I am writing a poem it kind of consumes my thoughts and messes me up a bit, searching for the right words and line breaks and... can lead to a kind of mild delusion I suppose.

I'm not a writer, writers write everyday. It seems to be a drive within them to do so. I have the same drive with music and playing guitar and play obsessively everyday.

And yet, I love poetry. Loved it for years, can't fully explain why. Being a poet is more about an ability to observe life in an alternative way, the ability to see things that most others can't. I associate with the nature of being a poet, I just lack the skills or commitment to be a good one. 

Music is my true poetry, but I'm stilled fucked up enough to try and write poetry as well and now and then I manage a half decent haiku/senryu and it's a good feeling.

[busker]

Why do we like music? Or art? How does experiencing art or creating it provoke a dopamine response?
We’re still investigating the neurochemical pathway

It’s quite clear that poetry, like any habit picked up at some stage in life, is addictive
In that sense poetry is similar to any sport or hobby, or art form, and unlike, say, catching a taxi
Creating something makes us happy. The more intricate the creation, the greater the joy.
That’s also why we so often dislike what we have written. The dopamine high of creation is gone. And usually the poem is not good enough to give a high upon te creating it in our heads. See below.

Why do we like reading poetry?
Maybe because reading and processing is akin to creating,in that we are re creating the poet’s original thoughts in our heads