The Meaning of a Poem

A poem is a piece of writing where the author is expressing themselves. It can be written in free verse or in a specific rhythm like iambic pentameter. Which ever it is, the writer is trying to get a point across. They could be telling a story about their life, love gained or lost, nature, anything you can think of! A writer could be writing because they are depressed, deeply emotional about a subject, or even just for the hell of it.

A person can make a connection with a poem that can change them or effect them emotionally. If someone reads a poem about the death of a lover or a family member, they could become emotional from the poem and connect it to their life. For me, I take poems about death very personally. If I read a poem about someone who dies or is abruptly taken from someone(in death) then I become very emotional. When I was in 8th grade my father died of a heart attack at work and I never got to say goodbye to him. When I read these poems, I know how the writer is feeling because I went through the same thing. Even though this is not a connection I would like to make, it makes me more connected to the poem and makes me appreciate it more.

Many people may not find a connection to the poem and therefore may not be able to appreciate it. I have had those poems that I read and my initial reaction is, "Okay, what was the point of that?" I do not like thinking this, but sometimes it happens. I like being able to appreciate poetry and finding the beauty in it. A poem can change a persons life, whether it be about life or death.