Aren't all our categories, distinctions and boundaries arbitrary in the end? Writing and writing poetry are simply overlapping venn diagrams of activities that share some but not all characteristics, where we draw the line is entirely, entirely in our own minds. Draw, erase, redraw and ignore with abandon!
I sometimes think a poet is someone who can't help herself but a prose writer knows better. I heard one teacher say poetry is the purest art form because there is never going to be any payoff for writing it. I write poetry and have done so since I was a child because I can't not. Poetry is something that isn't an option. If you're a poet it's under the skin, in the blood and no amount of rejection can take that from you.
Aren't all our categories, distinctions and boundaries arbitrary in the end? Writing and writing poetry are simply overlapping venn diagrams of activities that share some but not all characteristics, where we draw the line is entirely, entirely in our own minds. Draw, erase, redraw and ignore with abandon!
I sometimes think a poet is someone who can't help herself but a prose writer knows better. I heard one teacher say poetry is the purest art form because there is never going to be any payoff for writing it. I write poetry and have done so since I was a child because I can't not. Poetry is something that isn't an option. If you're a poet it's under the skin, in the blood and no amount of rejection can take that from you.