How to Get Into Poetry
10 steps to convey a sense of sophistication and intelligence at your next tea party ☕
1. Get a pocket book of poetry
Opinion: You gotta do it the old-fashioned way 🎩. The internet is too overwhelming. An anthology will get you familiar with select poets and their work.
- Buy a (small) physical book. Something you can easily carry around at all times.
- I recommend you read in nature. There’s something about poetry and nature 🌱.
- Ignoring last point, read wherever, whenever. Fill mindless gaps with poetry (e.g., when you’re waiting in line for coffee, instead of looking at your phone, take out your little pocket book of poetry).
- Don’t go through your poetry book in one sitting. Poems are short, making it easy to mindlessly read one after the other — avoid doing this. Instead, give each poem lots of attention 🌹; read slowly and intentionally.
Having a physical book will make it easier to commit to your artistic journey.
2. Pick a theme for the day
Read poems that are:
- by the same author,
- from the same literary period,
- about the same subject (love, nature, pain, etc.),
- or have something else in common.
Not required, but exploring a common theme reduces decision fatigue.
3. Don’t skip the author bio
Know the author’s story. 1) It’ll make you care, and 2) it’ll help you understand their poems.
- When and where was the author born? What was their family like?
- How old was the author at time of writing?
- Any major life events?
4. Learn about world events at time of writing
This ties in with the last point.
- What literary period was the poem written during? Knowing this will help you figure out your poetic preferences and find similar poems.
- What was the economy, culture, etc. like? War and famine vs. economic prosperity? Civil rights movements? Knowing this might explain where the author is coming from.
- Draw connections to the outside world. Poetry is a fun way to learn about history.
5. Look for a poem analysis
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken is famous for being one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted poems ever written.
When in doubt, do a quick search of the poem’s meaning.
6. Take notes in your poetry book
I know, not for everyone (the book is too precious). As an alternative, get a journal.
Don’t be a passive reader: reading is only one part of poetry appreciation. Reflection is key. Things to write:
- Anything interesting you learned from following steps 3–5. I like to note when the poem was written.
- Date read, how the poem made you feel, etc. What does the poem inspire you to do? Will you confess your love to someone? Spend more time in nature? Join a movement? Write your own poetry?
- Unfamiliar word definitions
- Doodles inspired by poem, pressed flowers, etc. Be creative, if you like.
7. Discuss poem with friend
Art is fun because it can be enjoyed in solitude or with others. Share your favorite poems with your best friend and ask what they think of it.
✍️ Level up: Publish your poetry thoughts in a blog post.
8. Listen to poetry readings
Poetry predates the written word. Unsurprisingly, each poem has rhythm that is tied to its meaning. This rhythm must be heard.
- If possible, listen to the author’s poetry reading.
- If it’s a popular poem, there’s probably a recording of a celebrity reading.
- You can find poetry readings on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
9. Read it aloud
Remember the last time you tried to control your emotions. You were doing a great job at it, until you tried talking and it made you break down.
Inside your head, it’s easy to remain detached. To fully experience a poem, you have to read it aloud.
🎭 Level up: Memorize and recite your favorite poem (doesn’t have to be to an audience). I swear, this will make you feel spiritual.
10. Reread your favorite poems
They might mean something different to you depending on what you’re going through, leading to new thoughts, discoveries, and appreciation for the author’s work 🦄.
