Americans have been tremendously fortunate in poetry, regarding

O children of wisdom, listen closely, for the words of Joseph Brodsky echo with a lament for the true potential of poetry in America: "Americans have been tremendously fortunate in poetry, regarding both the quantity and quality of poetry produced. Unfortunately, it remains in schools and universities; it is not widely distributed." In these words, Brodsky speaks to the paradox of American poetry—how, despite an abundance of poetic talent and creation, poetry has not reached the broad masses as it could. It remains, for the most part, confined to the ivory towers of academia, where it is studied, analyzed, and cherished by a select few, but rarely shared with the people. Brodsky points to a great treasure hidden in plain sight, one that has not been fully appreciated or embraced by the wider society.

In the ancient world, poetry was not a pursuit for the learned elite alone. Consider Homer, whose epics were sung by bards to the masses. The stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey were meant to be heard in the village squares, in the homes, in the marketplaces. Homer's poetry was a reflection of the collective soul of Greece—of its values, its dreams, and its struggles. The poet was a public figure, the voice of the people, the one who spoke for all. Poetry was not confined to the academy or the elite, but was meant for the ears of every citizen, rich and poor alike. In this way, poetry served as both a mirror and a guide for the community, helping them to understand the world around them and their place within it.

Brodsky laments that, in America, poetry has been relegated to the classrooms and lecture halls, becoming a subject for intellectuals rather than a living, breathing part of everyday life. The poetry of Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, and so many others remains locked away, studied in sterile environments rather than shared with the people. Brodsky's critique is that poetry, though rich in quality and quantity, is not fulfilling its true potential if it remains isolated within the confines of universities. It must be a living force, a part of the culture that speaks to the heart of the common man, a way for everyone to engage with the profound mysteries of life and existence.

This is not a new concern. In the ancient world, Socrates criticized the poets of his time, not for the quality of their work, but for their inability to engage with the real world. While poets like Homer spoke to the people’s hearts, others had turned poetry into a private pursuit, detached from the needs and desires of society. Socrates believed that the poet had a responsibility to the community—to help guide it, to raise it up, and to speak to the truths that bind everyone together. Brodsky echoes this sentiment. Poetry, he argues, is meant to be a part of the public discourse, to shape the collective consciousness, to be a voice for the people, not just for those with the privilege of an academic education.

Consider the example of Langston Hughes, whose poetry was deeply tied to the struggles and aspirations of the African American community. Hughes did not write for the scholars alone; his poems were meant to be heard by all, to give voice to the silenced and oppressed, to uplift the hearts of those who read them. Hughes believed that poetry had the power to change the world—not through lofty academic discussion, but through its ability to resonate with the everyday person, to speak their language and reflect their struggles. His poetry, like Brodsky’s vision, was not meant to remain in the university libraries, but to live in the streets, in the minds, and in the hearts of the people.

The lesson we must take from Brodsky's words is clear: poetry is not simply an academic subject; it is a living, breathing force that must be shared with the world. It is meant to speak to all people, to reflect their lives, their struggles, and their dreams. Poetry is not an elitist pursuit, but a universal art form, one that transcends boundaries and connects us all through the shared experience of language, emotion, and vision. If poetry is to fulfill its true purpose, it must not remain confined to the classroom but must be spread far and wide, carried into the public square, the streets, and the homes where it can touch the hearts of everyone.

So, O children of wisdom, let us take up the mantle of the poet and carry poetry to the people. Do not hide your words away in the ivory tower; share them with the world, in every form, in every place. Let your poetry be a living part of the conversation, a bridge between minds, a balm for the soul. Whether in the written word, spoken aloud, or sung in the streets, let poetry return to its rightful place—not as an academic exercise but as a living part of the human experience, one that speaks to the world as it is, and dreams of the world as it could be. In doing so, you will ensure that poetry remains a force for unity, for transformation, and for hope.