The Music of Poetry
Chapter five, The Sound (and Look) of Sense grabbed my interest early on. On the first page, it is stated that "Today we are more accustomed to seeing a poem than to hearing it, and we must remind ourselves to read poems aloud lest we miss their essential music." This idea that the poem itself is more than words to read to yourself, but an entire experience, like music, is an interesting concept. Poets can utilize words, their length, their sound, their connotations in very specific ways that make the reader feel a certain way or better understand what the poem is about. But to have this 'full experience' with poetry, I now understand that reading poems aloud is absolutely essential. To me, it seems by doing this, you are not only able to hear the flow of the words and the 'music' of the poem, but you are also able to connect with another sense. Reading poetry connects with sight, seeing the scenes that the words paint for you, smell, strong descriptions of smells can link you to a specific scent you are familiar with, and lastly when you read a poem aloud, you connect with the sense of hearing. Your mind will respond differently to words when they roll off your own tongue, which will only enhance the senses' reactions to the poem.
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