Interchanging Poetry, A New Poetic Genre

Interchanging Poetry, A New Poetic Genre
By Mac McGovern

Poetry is the absolute beauty of the human heart expressing emotion in a form that delights, and leaves the reader with a feeling of contentment in one spectrum, and a feeling of remorse in another. No other form of writing has the ability and power to inspire the emotion created through poetry.

There are more than sixty different popular forms of poetry commonly used today. Many forms from the Old World, have been Americanized to suit the American style for writing.

Interchanging Poetry is a narrative combining poetry with discussion, debate, dialog, or description; using the poetry to emphasize the narrative. It is a new form of poetry developing interchanging literary devices to enhance poetic discourse.

Generally, writers will incorporate a poem into their article, publication, or book to make a point or site as a reference. This is common practice giving the author of the poetry proper credit. This is not a common practice with poets, who write specific forms of poetry following established poetic format.

Often, poets wish they had a methodology to explain why they wrote a particular poem or as a follow up to their thought process in creating the poem. When you write using the Interchanging Poetry format, you extend your ability to expound on the meaning behind the words written as poetic expression; giving the reader a greater insight into the wonderful world of what the mind conceived and has achieved through poetry.

In developing this form, these qualifiers for identifying a work as Interchanging Poetry:

(1) The entire work must be the original work of the author.

(2) There must be an interchange folding the poetry into the narrative.

(3) The poetry must enhance the theme, it may be any form desired.

(4) Interchanging Poetry may be of any length and use as many poems as desired.

(5) References may be cited if a quote or definition is used.

When I write poetry, I normally do not feel compelled to explain why I wrote the piece. However, there are times I decide to write about a theme I believe needs clarification and I can use narrative and poetry combined to bring power to my writing.

One of the first interchanging Poetry poems written was about Breast Cancer. I had written several pieces related to the subject but I never expressed how I personally felt or the impact of Cancer on my life. The following is a sample of my first attempt:

Most people either know someone or know of someone who has suffered from Breast Cancer. Within my family, in the Navy, and in my business career, I have known several courageous women diagnosed with this horrific disease. All made the decision to undergo a surgical procedure from lymph node dissection to a mastectomy. Thankfully, all are survivors over 5 years; the longest post-surgery is 40 years, which speaks volumes for advances in treatment.

The Scar is a poem about meeting someone, falling in love, marrying, being diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and seeing cancer not as an end, but as a new beginning. I write poetry about Breast Cancer from my perspective as a male and my belief most men respond in a like manner. The Long Ride is a reflection of The Scar from a different perspective and Walk With Me is a poem of love and a journey to understanding, and rounding out this series of poems is my personal favorite Love Remains True.

The Scar

When first we met,

I marveled at your flawless flesh;

nary a wrinkle or blemish did offset.

Until cancer took your breast,

leaving a scar, obvious as a mountain range

upon your once flawless flesh.

The scar a reminder of what had been

and a symbol, not of an end,

but a new beginning of life again.

The Long Ride

It is not outward appearance

whereby

love does survive

it is inner beauty

takes love

for the long ride

You can see how poetry has been Interchanged to clarify the meaning of the narrative, informing the reader why these poems are important. No longer does the reader need question the meaning of the poem, it is understood.

This is a partial sample of the original title "Breast Cancer, A Poetic Expression." Interchanging poetry is fun to write. As a genre that could be used to teach both sentence structure and poetic expression to our youth, as well as increase appreciation for the beauty that is Poetry, it requires little practice to become proficient. Your readers will appreciate your thoughts as you write the poetry that expresses your innermost thoughts.

More Mac McGovern's "Interchanging Poetry", articles, and blogs may be found at: http://allpoetry.com/mac_mcgovern