bungalow

wtf are you talking about? the very wiki article you linked says this (in the fucking intro);

thomasracer56

Ok, then, his writings are flexible enough to be a song and a poem. Problem solved.

bungalow

yeah, that is my whole fucking point.

thomasracer56

So, your point is given, but I don't consider my songs as poetry.

VEGANGELICA

Oh good! A thread about poetry that led to a heated debate, both of which I love!

In answer to your questions,

(1) I definitely consider myself a writer/poet first and a singer second.

(2) When I was younger and more interested in poetry rather than songs, I did consider making the effort to seek publication of a collection of poems, after having some individual poems published...but it would have taken a lot of editing on my part, and I had lost interest in some of my earlier poems by the time I considered this. I decided to just resurrect my favorite poems as songs...once I tire of writing lyrics intended from the start to be songs.

(3) I do seriously consider myself a poet, though I'd say in the lyrics I've been writing I generally have not been using many of the poetic elements I enjoy most in poems. For example, I love metaphors and similes but rarely use those in my songs, because I want the songs to be easily understood...though I suspect I may change tactics soon. I definitely have the ovaries to admit I consider what I write to be poetry (this is in reference to someone saying no one will have the balls to admit this).

I feel poetry, lyrics, and prose are not distinct forms of writing, since definitions depend on both the writer's intentions and the reader's interpretations. Modern poetry generally tries to break down such boundaries. The issue is complicated, because all forms of verbal expression borrow from each other. Considering just one element, rhyming: prose can use rhyming; poetry doesn't have to rhyme; lyrics can both rhyme or not.

An example of a modern singer who self-declares as both a lyricist and poet is Meg Hutchinson. Her song lyrics read much like modern poems I've read in anthologies. They aren't the type of poetry I prefer (I prefer more structured form), but I don't claim they aren't "poetry" just because of that. MEG HUTCHINSON | words, lyrics, poetry

Like bungalow, I disagree with you, Big3, that rhyming is for simpletons. When done with subtlety, the rhyming may be almost unnoticable...and that effect takes a lot of effort to achieve, which is one reason I appreciate rhyming poetry/lyrics: I can *feel* the intensity of that person's mind focused on creating a poetic structure appear effortless.

My example of this is Robert Burns' poem, A Silken Tent, which I've mentioned on MusicBanter elsewhere: The Silken Tent by Robert Frost
Within this rhyming sonnet, a single sentence, are layers of meaning...if one wishes to bother to investigate those layers. Though I am aware of the rhyming, for me the meaning of the words becomes paramount.

Agreed, bungalow.

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Kiro

I don't think there's any difference between song lyrics and poetry besides the fact that one is written to be sung. I write poetry for poetry and songs for songs, so I do make a distinction. You can't expect to write a free-verse poem, and then be able to sing it over any old melody, but I think it works the other way around. If your song is beautiful and inspiring enough, why not consider reciting it instead of singing it? If you're into that stuff, that is.

Personally, I put a lot of thought into my poems. When I decide to write a poem, which is rarely, I put my heart and soul into it. I don't just write, I think. I try to use a lot of literary devices, and take time carefully choosing the right words. I try to focus more on the feelings evoked by the words rather than meter or rhyme. I want my poem to really grab a person when they read it, and leave a lasting impact.

With songs I'm less picky usually. There's been a few songs I've written where I've started with the lyrics. These songs are usually songs with a lot of meaning for me, usually a social commentary, a personal memory or reflection, an idea, or something I've noticed about the world. Most of the time, however, I start with a melody, less commonly with the entire accompaniment finished without even thinking of the lyrical theme! I've thrown together lyrics in about a minute before and kept them just because I've like the spontaneity of it. On average I'd say it takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to write the lyrics for a song. But like I said, I'm not picky. For songs, it's the music, the melody that matters, not the words for me, at least regarding my own music at this point.

Sljslj

I consider myself a lyricist above all else, but, on some level, I do consider myself a poet as well.

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TheBig3

For what its worth, I consider myself a unicorn.

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VEGANGELICA

So you consider yourself a unicorn, do you? Well, I'm still a poet. See?

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Unicorn ~ by Erica, The Great Poet

A man thinks he is a unicorn,
with a horny head
and a pointy horn.
Perhaps he ought to star in porn!

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Ah, poetry! I hope you enjoyed my masterpiece.

Big3, you know what? I think I am going to write a poem called "Unicorn," based on this one, and then I'm going to sing that poem to prove to you that songwriters can be poets. Yes, prepare yourself.

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TheBig3

If this were a legal proceeding I'd be asking for the payment of my legal services. I'd encourage you to write your poem in case there's an appeal.


But enough jabs, What do you think constitutes poetry?

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