“Reading for pleasure” sounds like there’s a secret club called “reading for displeasure” or maybe even “reading for pain.” But let me tell you, all reading should be pleasurable. It’s like eating a mouthwatering slice of pizza or binge-watching your favourite TV show. Sure, pleasure is the main course, but there’s more to it than just satisfying your cravings.

Now, picture this: a poem is like a tricky locked safe, and the combination to crack it is hidden inside. It’s okay if you don’t understand a poem right away. Sometimes it takes more attempts than you’d like to admit. It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with one eye closed and your brain on vacation. And guess what? Sometimes you need help figuring it out. That’s just part of the fun! Life is full of wonder and confusion, so why should poems be any different?

Here’s a pro tip: don’t just read a poem; perform some epic marginalia! It’s like adding extra toppings to your pizza or doing cartwheels while binge-watching. Scribbling notes in the margins is like swinging your arms. It’s doable, sure, but you need to include something essential, like the cherry on top of the sprinkles on your ice cream.

Here’s the best part: there’s nothing to lose when reading a poem. If you don’t understand it, no biggie. You haven’t wasted precious time or energy. There’s a whole lot to gain—a spark of inspiration, a new perspective, or simply a moment of escape from the monotony of life. It’s like finding a shiny penny on the sidewalk or stumbling upon a hidden gem at the bottom of your junk drawer.

So, when you read a poem, step into its world and let it take you on a wild adventure. It’s like hopping on a roller coaster that messes with your mind and leaves you questioning everything. If you’re lucky, that poem’s world might shake up your own and make you see things in a new light. It’s like putting on funky kaleidoscope glasses and realizing the world is groovier than you thought.

And here’s a mind-boggling thought: poetry is all about patterns and variations. Even those nonsensical, non-linear, anti-poetic poems have a method to their madness. Your brain, the little detective, starts connecting the dots and searching for meaning. It’s like playing a mental game of connect-the-dots with words that seem as unrelated as a glockenspiel, a tadpole, and justice. Your brain loves a challenge, and I’ll try its best to make sense of it all.

Here’s the bonus round: as you get better at reading poems, you’ll also become a pro at deciphering the news, devouring novels, and tackling those mind-boggling legal briefs. It’s like levelling up in the game of life. Suddenly, you’ll find yourself understanding quirky advertisements, decoding cryptic messages, and impressing your friends with your newfound literary prowess. Just don’t let it go to your head, okay?

Reading poetry isn’t just about words on a page. It’s like unlocking a secret superpower that heightens your awareness of the world. It’s like seeing hidden patterns and connections everywhere, even in things that don’t involve words. A dress, a building, a night sky—they all have intricate systems of beauty waiting to be discovered. It’s like becoming a secret agent of observation, decoding the world’s hidden messages.

And here’s a hilarious secret: the best way to read a poem is to be young, intelligent, and slightly tipsy. Yup, it’s true. But hey, if you’re not in your prime partying years anymore, reading poems in old age will ignite a burning desire to read more poems when you were young and energetic. It’s like realizing you missed the wildest party of your life but still having a blast reminiscing about it with a cup of warm tea.

Now, imagine a time in the future when all your material possessions have lost their shine and become mere obstacles cluttering your space. Yep, even that fancy gadget you bought on Black Friday. But what remains valuable through it all? Poems! They’re like cosy little rooms with minimal space but infinite treasures. Memorize a verse or two, and you have some internal bling and a handy survival skill. It’s like having a secret weapon in your back pocket or knowing how to juggle flaming torches when life gets chaotic.

The ultimate punchline: reading a good poem doesn’t give you something to blabber about. Nope, it shuts you up. It leaves you speechless, lost in its beauty and depth. But wait, there’s more! Reading a genuinely exceptional poem takes it to the next level. It prepares you for the grand silence that awaits us all—death! Yep, we went there. Deep, right?

So, grab a poem, dive into its enchanting world, and let it tickle your brain and stir your emotions. It’s a wild ride filled with laughter, confusion, and profound insights. Enjoy the journey!

About Reading Poetry; Part 1

By Liam

At some point in life, we’ve all faced the bewildering challenge of understanding a poem. It’s a hit-or-miss experience that can leave us scratching our heads or deeply moved. Poems only do a great job selling themselves if they have some famous person endorsing them, a catchy tune, eye-catching visuals, or if our beautiful kids wrote them. Otherwise, those jagged lines and pretentious blank spaces give off an air of seriousness that makes us hesitant to approach them. 

The poem says, “Hey, look at me from a safe distance, but don’t you dare touch!” 

But what if reading poetry is more manageable than we make it out to be? What if the real issue lies in our well-meaning but ill-suited attitudes towards reading poems?

Let’s shatter the illusion that reading poetry will transform your life into a magical fairy tale. Seriously, your life is like a rollercoaster ride, and most of the time, you’re too busy holding on for dear life to pay close attention. But poems, oh boy, demand your attention like an overenthusiastic puppy. They’re like, “Hey, look at me! I’m a poem, and I won’t let you ignore me!”

So, here’s the deal:

1. Whenever you read a poem, especially one that’s not meant to be performed with jazz hands, go ahead and read it out loud.

2. Forget about those elementary school days when they told you to keep quiet.

3. Let your vocal cords shine! Your ears will catch all sorts of juicy details that your brain would otherwise miss.

Your ears become the boss, and your brain says, “Okay, I’ll think whatever you say!”

Here’s a nifty tip: try meeting a poem on its terms, not yours. Don’t be like, “Hey, poem, let’s relate and be BFFs (Big Fat Friends)!” No, no, no. Instead, step into the world the poem creates. It’s like entering a secret clubhouse, except the personal password appreciates the art. If you’re lucky, that poem’s world will give you a fresh pair of glasses to see your world in a funky new light.

Oh, and brace yourself for the temptation to ditch a poem and move on to the next one or do something more “exciting.” It’s like a siren song, luring you away from the poetic seas. But resist, my friend! Treat it like a pesky mosquito buzzing in your ear. Don’t swat it away. Instead, acknowledge its presence and keep reading. Think of it as a mindfulness exercise for the literary soul.

If told : the “accessible” ones that hold your hand and guide you gently and the “obscure” ones that play hide-and-seek with meaning. It’s up to you how much effort you want to put in. If you stumble upon an unfamiliar word, don’t panic! Just whip out that trusty dictionary or risk being haunted by poetic nightmares.

Let’s get one thing straight: a poem cannot be tamed and paraphrased like a rebellious teenager. Oh no! Itstrue power lies in the realm of Ambiguity. It’s like a sneaky puzzle that leaves you scratching your head in delightful confusion. Ambiguity is the spice of life, my friend. Humans love pretending we know what’s happening, even though we’re just winging it.

And guess what? A poem doesn’t have a secret decoder ring hidden under its mattress. Nope, it’s not trying to play mind games with you. All those meanings you think are hidden? They’re right there, waving at you like a neon sign. But spotting the subtleties takes practice. Reading poetry is like learning the unspoken rules of an exclusive club. So, put on your fancy hat and join the poetic party!

Oh, and here’s a fun twist: separate the poet from the speaker in the poem. The poet is like a master of disguise, wearing all sorts of masks and personas. It’s like a game of hide-and-seek but with words. Refrain from falling into the trap of thinking the poet and the speaker are the same. Let the poem have its wild imagination beyond the poet’s life story.

Last but not least, be on the lookout for those sneaky moments of irony. Keep them from pulling a fast one on you! Double-check if the speaker is sarcastic or just your scepticism creeping in. Stay sharp, and don’t let irony prank you like a mischievous little imp.

So, my fellow poetry explorer, embrace the wild and whimsical world of poems. Let them tickle your brain, dance with your emotions, and ignite your imagination. Reading poetry is like diving into a fantastical realm where words rule, and curiosity reigns. Enjoy the ride,!