30 Poems in 30 Days 2009: Day Nineteen

Good writers are those who keep the language efficient. That is to say, keep it accurate, keep it clear. — Ezra Pound

Today I want to write in favor of plain speech. I don’t believe in using words in poetry that you wouldn’t use in conversation. Some poets, usually beginners, try to emulate traditional poetry. That is fine. The forms those poets wrote in can still be used today. The words those poets used, however, were the words of their own time, not ours. Even then, more than a few eighteenth and nineteen century poets wrote in a formal style that even they would not have used in conversation. That style has a name, poetic diction, which refers to the type of language and usage you only find in poetry.

Poetic diction has been under fire at least since William Wordsworth and the Romantics movement began in the early nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, Ezra Pound was one of the chief opponents of poetic diction, and especially the excessive use of adjectives and abstractions in poetry. He believed that the object itself ought to be interesting enough to not need so much build-up.

I believe that the right word is simplest one that is absolutely accurate. I have a large vocabulary (I’m a killer Scrabble player) so I sometimes use uncommon words, but I use them because they fit my thoughts. If a word says exactly what I mean, then I will use it without a second thought, but I do not go out of my way to pick a long word when a short one will do. I am also not opposed to nonsense words and new usages. If you want to Google someone or friend someone on Facebook, I’m not going to correct you. Have fun with it. Language should be fun and language always evolves. Enjoy yourselves. Just remember when you write a poem that you want remembered, don’t use words that will soon be forgotten.

Today’s Poetry Prompt

Write a poem that begins and ends with three single syllable words.

Verbal

Have a dream
Tell the truth
Make a wish
Think it through
Drive a truck
Pop the clutch
Fly a kite
Wash the dog
Pick a theme
File a nail
Hate your fate
Love your hair
Give a damn
Feel your pain
Make a bet
Shoot a look
Throw a fit
Slam the door
Break a dish
Mop the floor
Take your time
Save the date
Eat a dog
Down a shot
Write your will
Wash your hands
Go to bed

Related links

• 30 Poems in 30 Days (1.000)
• 30 Poems in 30 Days: Why you should write poetry (1.000)
• 30 Poems in 30 Days: Writing About Yourself (1.000)
• 30 Poems in 30 Days: Writing About Issues (1.000)
• 30 Poems in 30 Days: Poetry of Place (1.000)

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