American poetry, like American painting, is always personal with

Hear now the words of Diane Wakoski, a poet whose insight into the nature of American poetry speaks volumes: “American poetry, like American painting, is always personal with an emphasis on the individuality of the poet.” In these words, Wakoski reveals a deep truth about American poetry—that it is uniquely rooted in the individual. Unlike other traditions where the collective or universal experience might take precedence, American poetry has always been marked by the voice of the poet, raw and unfiltered. Whether through the struggles of personal identity, the quest for freedom, or the grappling with the complexities of a young and diverse nation, American poets have always turned inward, making their individuality central to their art.

The ancients too, understood the power of the personal voice in art. Homer, while telling the grand tales of gods and heroes, did so in a way that was deeply personal. His epics, the Iliad and Odyssey, are not just stories of war and adventure; they are the reflection of the inner world of the poet, the emotions of love, rage, and loss. Homer’s voice echoes through his work, giving us not just the deeds of great men but the heart of the poet himself. Greek tragedy, too, was born from the deeply personal experiences of its playwrights, from Sophocles to Euripides, whose works reflect their personal beliefs, struggles, and insights into the human condition. Just as the ancients used their art to explore the depths of personal experience, so too does American poetry place the individual at its core.

The roots of American poetry, however, lie in the nation’s very beginnings. Consider Walt Whitman, one of the first to truly express the individual’s voice on a national stage. In his Leaves of Grass, Whitman boldly declared himself the poet of America, celebrating both the personal and the collective. His lines sing with the power of the individual—“I celebrate myself, and sing myself”. Whitman’s poetry was a declaration of personal identity, and yet, it resonated deeply with the experience of an entire nation—a nation in the throes of defining itself. Whitman did not write as a distant observer; he wrote as someone who believed that his individuality was part of something larger, that his voice represented the struggles and triumphs of the American people.

Emily Dickinson, too, exemplifies this emphasis on individuality in American poetry. Though she lived much of her life in isolation, her poems are filled with the intensely personal voice of a woman grappling with death, faith, and the mysteries of life. Dickinson’s work is a reflection of her inner world—a world that she both cherished and feared, one that she explored with startling honesty. Her poetry speaks to the individual’s relationship with the universe, with God, and with the self. Dickinson’s poems, though deeply personal, speak to something universal—the questions and emotions that define the human experience. This balance of individuality with universal themes is a hallmark of American poetry, where the poet’s personal voice is the gateway to exploring broader truths.

Consider the modernist movement, where poets like Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot also emphasized the importance of the individual voice in their work. Pound’s famous dictum, “Make it new,” called for poets to break away from the past and find their unique voice, unburdened by tradition. In doing so, Pound and others sought to create a poetry that was fresh, authentic, and deeply personal. Even though their works were often difficult, they were infused with the distinct voice of the poet—each word chosen with intention, each line expressing a unique vision of the world. In American poetry, this push for individuality and self-expression is not just encouraged; it is essential to the tradition.

The lesson here is clear: American poetry is rooted in the individual experience. The voice of the poet is paramount, and it is this personal voice that gives American poetry its power and uniqueness. As American poets, we must honor the truth of our own experience, knowing that our voice matters and that our perspective is worth sharing. Poetry is a medium for the personal to become universal, for the self to touch upon the larger human condition. By embracing our individuality, we can create work that resonates deeply, not just with ourselves, but with others as well.

Practical actions follow. If you are a poet, embrace your individuality. Do not shy away from expressing your deepest truths, even if they feel difficult or uncomfortable. Your voice is your strength—let it be heard. If you are a reader, seek out poetry that speaks from the heart, that dares to be personal, that challenges you to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Recognize the power of the individual voice in poetry, and let it open your own heart to the complexities of the human experience.

Thus, Wakoski reminds us that American poetry is not just a form of art, but a celebration of the individual. It is through the lens of personal experience that American poets are able to touch upon the universal, to speak truths that resonate with all. In this way, poetry becomes both a personal journey and a collective conversation, where the individual voice becomes a bridge to something greater. Let us embrace this individuality in our writing and our reading, for it is the key to unlocking the deep power of American poetry.