Poetry—An Unanswered Declaration

Poetry has always been my preferred way of communication.

Without rules, boundaries, or limitations, writing has given me the freedom to form art from both my anguish and my joy.

I have gazed at clouds, lovers, strangers—even myself, and transformed my thoughts into metaphors, my questions into conversations, my feelings into confessions.

My bravest way of expressing myself will always be through words written or typed. 

 Speaking of bravery, I recently had this thought—What about poetry provides me with this sense of invincibility? What makes writing my words down so much more compelling than speaking them? I may or may not have spoiled my answer to this in the title.

 Poetry, to me, is an unanswered declaration. A romanticized form of speaking without volume. Not that poetry isn’t romantic—if anything, it is the most romantic form of expression. It’s almost like whispering some big confession into someone’s ear and running away. Only the writer obtains the satisfaction of speaking—it’s almost selfish?

I question that because I’m preparing to oppose said statement.

Poetry is very selfless. When I write, I am at my most vulnerable state, and when I share this writing, I am surrendering the deepest parts of me to the reader with no defense. Yet, I also hold the reins guiding how far I go into myself—how much I want to reveal. I am in control when I write. And in a situation where I’m in control, things can get very selfish, but two things can be true at once. 

 Circling back to my former opinion on what poetry is, I want you to ask yourself this question: Is utterance bolder than composition? Both utilize words, both are forms of communication, both may hold an audience—so what makes writing poetry, instead of speaking words, so different? There are many different answers to this question; however, I will share mine: When people speak, they are searching for a response, and when they write, they are trying to speak. When I write my poetry, I am articulating my feelings and thoughts. I am making statements and “declarations” with no expectation of a response. My voice is the only one that is heard—it is an unanswered declaration. 

 And while not ALL poetry holds this meaning, almost all of mine does.

In the end, writing, poetry or not, will always be one of the greatest ways of self-expression, answered or not.