Reddit mentions of Different Hours

I got into poetry because I took a class. It forced me to pause over poems that I otherwise probably would have read once, skipping them because I didn't understand them. But like a lot of things in life, we must linger long over things we don't understand, forcing ourselves to admit we don't get it, working though tough problems. Poetry, for me, has been an excellent way to develop the skill of lingering.

That being said, the next step is finding the poets you like. Sure, there are poets who are more accessible because of their use of conversational rhythms and minimal high-brow references and diction. Charles Bukowski is a great one for an earthy, Dionysian feel. If you want a different style, you may like Stephen Dunn, who seems more wise and contemplative in his poems (which contain less references to his anatomy than Bukowski).

But in general, you will need to read widely and drink deep. Maybe get a general anthology that would allow you to read short poems by multiple different authors, so that you can find what you like. Better still, a textbook would help explain technical aspects of a poem. Learning the technical aspects opened up worlds for me. Not knowing the technical aspects of an art is like listening to radio music and not knowing what or where the chorus is. It would hardly make sense.

Another strategy, like a class, would be to grab somebody who is interested in poetry and read poems together. That way, you can offer interpretations on poems to each other. No two people ever see a poem the same way, and learning what other people see in a poem not only enhances your own experience of the poem, but it helps build a connection between you and other people.

One last thought: it helped me to remember in the beginning that poets are just people. They are struggling with the same questions as us all. Who am I? How should I act toward my fellow humans? Where am I going when I die? Is there a God? Will I be remembered? Reading poetry is a way to discover how others have dealt with those questions.

Have fun! That's important, too. :)

So many! I guess it depends on the day, but I love poetry by Stephen Dunn, he had a book of poetry called "Different hours" that i loved. As for artwork, it really depends on the day. But i love Turner, I love Sergeant, I love Moore...