Poetry often seems like a secret language, a realm filled with abstract emotions, cryptic metaphors, and rhythms that, for many, appear inaccessible. You may have encountered poems in school or through a friend, only to find yourself puzzled by their meaning or form. But here’s the truth: poetry isn’t as mysterious as it seems. Once you understand how to approach it, poetry can become a place where your deepest thoughts and feelings find resonance and meaning.
In this article, we’ll explore how to approach poetry, breaking down common barriers and showing you that it’s a lot more personal and accessible than you might think. We’ll also look at the works of some famous poets—particularly Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson, and Virginia Woolf—to illustrate these points. By the end, you’ll feel ready to open a book of poems and make your own connections to the world of verse.
1. Start by letting go of “The right answer”
The beauty of poetry lies in its flexibility. Unlike math, there’s no singular “right answer” to a poem. Every poem means something different to each person who reads it, and that’s what makes it powerful. A poem can reflect your own personal experiences, even if you’re not exactly sure what the poet originally intended.
Consider Sylvia Plath’s “Lady Lazarus,” a poem that delves into themes of rebirth, death, and resilience. You don’t need to understand every line at first glance. Focus instead on the emotions the words evoke in you. The imagery, the mood—those are starting points to understanding. What does the image of a phoenix-like rebirth mean to you personally? How do you relate to the idea of someone coming back from an emotional death?
By allowing yourself to experience poetry rather than “solve” it, you open the door to personal interpretation, which is the heart of poetic understanding.
2. Start small: Emily Dickinson’s intimate world
One way to ease into poetry is by beginning with shorter, more intimate poems. Emily Dickinson is an excellent poet to start with because her work often deals with simple, universal themes such as nature, death, and solitude. Her poems are short, yet they pack emotional punch and philosophical depth.
Take, for example, Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers.” It’s just a few lines long, but within those lines, she compares hope to a bird that “perches in the soul.” The imagery is gentle and familiar, making it easier to grasp. As you read it, ask yourself: How does hope feel to you? Have you ever experienced a moment where hope seemed fragile, yet present, like a bird?
Starting with short, emotionally impactful poems like Dickinson’s helps you build confidence. You don’t need to dive into lengthy, complex works right away—small poems can offer profound insights and a gradual introduction and approach to the vast world of poetry.
3. Embrace free verse: Virginia Woolf’s fluid language
Poetry isn’t always bound by traditional structure, and this is where the work of Virginia Woolf comes in handy. While Woolf is primarily known for her novels, her experimental prose often verges on the poetic, especially in works like “The Waves.” In this text, Woolf uses language in a way that mimics the flow of consciousness, breaking free from the rigid structures that many associate with poetry.
Free verse allows you to move away from the idea that poetry must rhyme or follow strict meter. The focus is more on the rhythm of ideas, emotions, and images. Woolf’s work teaches us that poetry can be a reflection of the mind’s inner workings—fluid, changing, and alive.
As you approach poetry, experiment with reading free verse. Let go of expectations about form. Sometimes, poetry can be more like a river, constantly moving and evolving, than a structured building with clear rules.
4. Make poetry personal: Relating to Sylvia Plath’s emotional depth
If you’re looking for poetry that speaks deeply to emotional experiences, Sylvia Plath is one of the most relatable poets you can explore. Known for her stark, raw emotion, Plath’s work frequently deals with personal pain, struggle, and identity. Her poems, such as “Daddy” and “Ariel,” are emotionally charged and often cathartic.
When you read Plath, don’t try to distance yourself from the intensity of her emotions. Instead, embrace it. Ask yourself: What feelings do her words stir in you? Have you ever felt the kinds of intense love, anger, or despair that she describes? By connecting Plath’s words to your own experiences, you’ll find that poetry can act as a mirror for your own emotional life.
Plath’s poetry is a reminder that poetry doesn’t need to be pretty or polished—it can be messy, complex, and, above all, real.
5. Explore nature poetry: Walt Whitman’s expansive world
Walt Whitman, a poet of the American landscape, offers a different way into poetry. His work often celebrates nature, the human body, and the collective human spirit. In poems like “Song of Myself,” Whitman explores his connection to the world around him, reflecting on how everything in nature is interconnected.
If you’re someone who loves being in nature, Whitman’s poetry might resonate with you on a more tangible level. His vivid descriptions of grass, rivers, and open spaces can transport you to the physical world. Through Whitman, you can see how poetry isn’t just about emotions but also about our relationship with the external world.
Take a walk while reciting one of his poems. How do his words enhance your experience of the natural environment? How does the world look and feel through the lens of poetry?
6. Experiment with your own poetry
Reading poetry is one part of the journey, but writing your own poetry is an excellent way to deepen your connection to it and to making an approach. You don’t have to be a professional or have the perfect vocabulary to start writing poetry. You can write about anything: your feelings, your memories, or even your observations of the world around you.
Think of William Wordsworth, the British Romantic poet, who often wrote about everyday experiences, like taking a walk in the countryside. His poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” captures a simple, yet profound moment of reflection while observing nature. You can do the same with your poetry—write about the small things, the ordinary moments, and see how they take on new meaning when put into verse.
Start by jotting down a few thoughts or feelings, then experiment with form, rhyme, or free verse. Let the poem flow naturally and don’t worry about following rules. Poetry is personal—what matters most is that it speaks to you.
7. Join a community or attend readings
One of the best ways to grow as a reader and writer of poetry is by surrounding yourself with others who share your interest. Poetry readings, whether in person or online, are fantastic ways to hear how poems come alive through voice. Listening to someone else read a poem can offer new insights and interpretations that you might not have considered.
Additionally, joining a local poetry group or even participating in online poetry workshops can provide you with feedback and encouragement. It’s also a great way to discover new poets and styles that may inspire you.
The work of T.S. Eliot, for example, might seem intimidating at first. His poem “The Waste Land” is dense and complex, but listening to others discuss it can help break down its layers. Engaging with a community can demystify poems that seem too complicated when read alone.
8. Take your time with poetry
Unlike prose, poetry often demands that you slow down. Some poems, like Ezra Pound’s “In a Station of the Metro” (a two-line poem), can say a lot in very few words. Others, like Alfred Lord Tennyson’s longer works, require more patience and reflection.
Don’t rush through a poem. Read it once for the first impression, then go back and re-read it to catch new meanings. You might find that a poem grows with each reading, revealing something new each time. In the same way that you wouldn’t rush through a scenic view, take your time to savor the language and imagery of a poem.
¡Poetry is for everyone!
The key to have an interest approach to poetry is to make it personal. Poetry is about connection—whether it’s a connection to your emotions, your surroundings, or the world at large. Famous poets like Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath, Walt Whitman, and others have created works that resonate because they express universal feelings and experiences, even if they use unique or abstract language.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to read poetry. Let it wash over you, engage with it in whatever way feels most comfortable, and don’t be afraid to explore. Poetry is meant to be felt, not solved, and once you let go of the idea of “getting it right,” you’ll find that it becomes a powerful and rewarding part of your life.
