Sunday, March 29, 2009

Beyond a Poetic Manifesto

To determine what defines one’s poetry is not a simple process. Creating a series of guidelines in which to write is a difficult endeavor. In order to create said set of manifesto ideas it is necessary to question what is important in one’s poetry and from this importance define clear characteristics that are applicable to one’s method of creating poems. As a poet you must go beyond the simple ways in which humanity lives and search for meaning through different mediums and in the world beyond the actual.

My Poetic Manifesto

Appreciate all forms of artistic expression and actively engage yourself in experiencing these forms. Attend plays, view art, listen to music, go to museums, read books and in the end synthesize these experiences and let them affect your life and your poetry.
In all forms of poetry we must push our limits and live artistically to our fullest capability, exploring and realizing every element that we encounter and making use of its’ utility.
All failure in poetry is subjective. Even when one feels that failure is unavoidable, one may have just succeeded at creating something greater than one could have ever have imagined.
Respect all the poets and poetic movements that have come before you, regardless if one feels that the poetry does not warrant high esteem. Learn from previous works; learn from other poets’ mistakes.
Do not be afraid to take risks and chances in your poetry. Write poetry that you don’t know if it will work out in the end. Make mistakes, appreciate the mistakes and then learn from your mistakes.
Everyday try an experiment or attempt to discover something new. Do something you have never done before and let your work reflect the element of discovery.
Question the choices that you make and try to understand why these choices will eventually have a specific impact upon you and your poetry when all is said and done.
View life and your surroundings as if today is your last living day. Breathe your last breath into your poems. Let this outlook consume you and your poetry in a positive manner. Shine your own light into everything that you do.


-Ellison Hitt

3 comments:

  1. If all failure in poetry is subjective, then how do you learn from other poets' 'mistakes' or even your own 'mistakes'? I'd be interested in the delineation you're making here between failure and mistake. What constitutes a mistake? I've always associated the two in my mind, but I'd like to hear your take on each-- since you're defining them each quite differently.

    I don't think you need the first paragraph-- seems like you were just gathering steam-- and the title comes after, so I'm guessing it's more of a writer's memo? Regardless, it can be cut.

    The energy of the imperatives in this manifesto are undercut by the vagueness of what's being said-- even something masquerading as concrete: 'Attend plays, view art, listen to music, go to museums, read books and in the end synthesize these experiences and let them affect your life and your poetry' is too vague... what plays? what music? where does one start? and is it your intent to elevate the arts over quotidian experiences? can we only find inspiration from other types of art for our art?

    why should we 'view life and your surroundings as if today is your last living day'? Why will (or should, rather) this consume you/your poetry in a positive manner? Can poetry writing be negative? Or can things affect you in a negative way (to an effective end)?

    What does 'exploring and realizing every element that we encounter' mean? I guess I'm getting tripped up on the word 'element'... are you talking about texts, the earthly elements, experiences, people, what?

    I guess everything I have to say comes down to:
    Can you be more specific?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I appreciate the spirit of this, but as Jackie mentioned, a few more specifics could really generate some interesting material. There are sooo many directions you could take every point you've made, which I think is great, but some concrete facts would really make it "yours." Right now, I'm feeling less "you," especially when you talk about living each day as though it is your last, which is a long and highly revered adage, and which I don't automatically connect with much of anything precise. "Shine your own light into everything you do," is a bit of a cliche as well. There's nothing wrong with the point itself, but a little tweak of each of those phrases/concepts I think would go a long way so that they don't feel rehashed.

    I'm also a little confused, like Jackie, with reference to viewing art. While I could see where this could be important to the poet's writing, I think it's also crucial to explore why. An insistence upon the poet taking in high culture could easily be mistaken for a classist, exclusive, and ultimately unwelcoming agenda.

    I think there's a solid foundation in this manifesto--you have all the basics and you can only expand upon them from here. A good place to be!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with Jackie when she says the first paragraph needs to go. It doesn't seem to serve a great point.

    The manifesto seems to be, at times, in conflict with itself.

    On one hand, you give strict statements about writing passionately

    "Breathe your last breath into your poems"

    and with freedom

    "Do not be afraid to take risks and chances in your poetry. Write poetry that you don’t know if it will work out in the end"

    but you also suggest adhering to mechanical guidelines of viewing and understanding art:

    "Appreciate all forms of artistic expression and actively engage yourself in experiencing these forms. Attend plays, view art, listen to music, go to museums, read books and in the end synthesize these experiences and let them affect your life and your poetry"

    Why should we respect all art? Isn't the rejection of certain art a denouncement of what hinders the development of taste? Should art be appreciated?

    "Write poetry that you don’t know if it will work out in the end" seems vague. Do you mean a poet should consider failure when they write? What would this serve?

    You've got great ideas here, I think you need to select a few of them and develop them toward a precise point.

    I hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete