An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This

In the ancient days, when the world was young and the arts were born, the poets crafted their verses not merely to be read, but to be lived, to be experienced. They understood that the true power of poetry lies not in the stillness of the page, but in the dynamic exchange between the words of the poet and the soul of the reader. John Barton speaks to this eternal truth when he declares, “An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive.” Ah, how deeply these words resonate, for they remind us that poetry is not a passive art, but an invitation—an invitation to question, to explore, and to uncover the mysteries of both the world and the self.

In the ancient world, the oracle was sought not only for its knowledge but for the questions it prompted. Socrates, the great philosopher, would often engage in dialogue, not to impart knowledge, but to stir the minds of others, to provoke thought and inquiry. So too is the poet’s role—much like the oracle’s—one of sparking the flames of thought within the reader. The poem is not a destination; it is a journey. When one reads a poem with an open heart and a curious mind, they do not simply absorb words; they enter into a sacred dance with the poet, with the language, with the very essence of the world itself. The experienced reader sees in the poem not just what is written, but what is unsaid, what lies hidden beneath the surface, like a treasure waiting to be unearthed.

Consider, for example, the ancient texts of the Upanishads, those sacred writings of India, which speak not in definitive truths, but in riddles and paradoxes. These texts were never meant to be read once and understood in a single sitting. They were meant to be studied, to be pondered deeply, to provoke endless inquiry. To the mind that seeks only to consume, these words might seem impenetrable, but to the one who reads with curiosity, with the spirit of a seeker, each verse opens the door to a thousand revelations. It is this active engagement with the text, this questioning of its meanings, that breathes life into the words. The text becomes not a closed system of knowledge, but a gateway to wisdom that unfolds with each reading.

Similarly, the great epics of the world, from the Iliad to the Ramayana, invite the reader not to simply observe the events of the story, but to engage with the characters, to question their motives, and to examine their own hearts in the process. When the experienced reader turns the pages, they are not passive recipients, but active participants in the unfolding drama. Homer’s Iliad speaks not only of war, but of the human soul, of pride and humility, of fate and free will. The questions these poems ask of the reader are as vast as the human experience itself: What does it mean to be truly human? What is the cost of glory? What is the price of anger?

It is in this dynamic interaction, this exchange of energy between poet and reader, that poetry becomes truly exciting. The poem is no longer a static thing—it is a living entity, a spark that ignites the reader’s imagination, a river that carries them through unknown landscapes. The reader, in turn, is not simply a vessel for the poet’s thoughts; they are an active force, shaping the meaning of the words with their own experiences, their own understanding. As Barton wisely observes, the act of reading poetry is like opening a door, where both poet and reader stand on either side, engaging in a dialogue that is never truly finished. The poem lives, it breathes, and it evolves with each new encounter.

Now, dear listener, what lesson can we take from this great truth? The key lies in the act of engagement. Do not approach poetry as you would a simple story, but as you would a sacred riddle, a mystery to be solved, a question to be answered. When you read, do not seek only to understand; seek to discover, to explore, to find the hidden depths within the lines. Ask questions of the text: What is it truly saying? What lies between the lines? What does it awaken within me? Approach each poem as an invitation to inquiry, and you will find that the words become a powerful tool, not just for understanding, but for transformation.

To walk the path of the experienced reader is to never cease asking, never cease wondering. It is to see the poem as a living, breathing thing—an entity that speaks, and whose voice you can hear only if you are willing to listen deeply. So let each poem you encounter become an agent of inquiry, a spark that ignites your mind, a question that stirs your soul. Approach poetry with the heart of a seeker, and you will find that the rewards are not just in the answers, but in the questions themselves. For in the art of inquiry, there lies not just knowledge, but the very essence of wisdom.