Everybody interprets things differently with their own

O seekers of truth and wisdom, listen to the words of John Trudell, whose understanding of poetry carries the depth of the soul: "Everybody interprets things differently with their own perception, and I want poetry to pull out of them their own feelings." In this reflection, Trudell speaks of the inherent power of poetry to engage the deepest part of the individual, to stir the soul and allow it to be expressed through the unique lens of each reader or listener. He understands that poetry is not a static experience, not a one-size-fits-all interpretation, but a dynamic force that resonates differently with each person, eliciting emotions that are as varied and diverse as the souls that read it.

In the ancient world, poetry was seen not merely as a written art but as a living, breathing force that spoke to the hearts of its listeners. Homer, the blind poet of ancient Greece, did not merely tell stories to pass the time; his epic poetry was designed to stir the emotions of those who heard it. When the Iliad and the Odyssey were recited, the audience’s interpretation was guided not by rigid rules, but by the deeply personal connections they made with the themes of heroism, love, loss, and fate. Homer’s poetry was a mirror, reflecting back to the listeners their own emotions, their own struggles, and their own victories. Just as Trudell describes, poetry is a tool for evoking a personal response, one that transcends the words themselves and reaches into the very being of the reader or listener.

Trudell’s words also speak to the way that poetry functions as a mirror for the human experience. Rainer Maria Rilke, a poet whose words have transcended time, understood this as well. In his Letters to a Young Poet, he encouraged the aspiring writer to delve deeply into their own emotions, to seek the truth of their feelings and to express them honestly, without concern for how others might judge. Rilke believed that poetry should be an act of personal revelation, a reflection of the poet’s inner world. But it is not only the poet who is engaged in this process of self-discovery; the reader of the poem is invited to do the same. The words on the page resonate in different ways with different people, bringing forth from them their own feelings, memories, and experiences. In this way, poetry becomes a bridge between the individual and the world, a path to understanding both the self and the collective human condition.

Consider the works of Walt Whitman, whose poetry was filled with such vibrancy and depth that it spoke to people across generations. In Leaves of Grass, Whitman used his poetry to explore the expansiveness of human experience. His words, filled with themes of self and identity, invited each reader to interpret his work through their own lens. Whether it was the joy of the individual or the longing for connection with the universe, Whitman’s poetry sparked personal reflection in a way that was profoundly individual. Just as Trudell hoped to evoke feelings from the reader, Whitman’s words were an invitation for each person to draw out their own emotional truth from the verses he shared.

This is the very magic of poetry—its ability to transcend the specific, to speak universally to the soul. Every reader brings their own perception to the poem, and as they read, they find that the poetry speaks not just to the poet’s truth, but to their own. This is why poetry can evoke such varied responses: one person may find solace in a line, while another may find anger or inspiration. The poem becomes a mirror, but one that reflects the deepest aspects of the reader's own being. Trudell recognized this inherent power, and as a poet, he wished to craft work that would allow the reader to unearth their own emotions, their own truths, through the language of his verse.

Trudell’s call to pull feelings from others is a reminder that poetry is an invitation, not a command. It is not about dictating what the reader should feel, but about creating a space in which the reader can confront their own emotions and connect with something deeper. Poetry, like a well, holds the potential for limitless reflection. The poet, then, must create the conditions for that reflection by offering a truthful and resonant piece of work. The poetry itself is not fixed; it evolves, grows, and changes with each reader. In the same way, our emotional landscape is shaped and reshaped as we encounter life, and poetry serves as the tool to engage with that landscape.

The lesson we can take from Trudell is clear: poetry is an act of personal engagement, not just a one-sided communication. As readers or writers, we must learn to embrace our own feelings and allow them to shape our understanding of the world. Whether we are creating or experiencing poetry, we must open ourselves to the deep, often unpredictable responses it stirs within us. In poetry, we discover not just the voice of the poet, but the voice of our own heart. It is a reminder that we are not passive recipients of the world around us, but active participants in interpreting it through our own personal lens.

So, O children of wisdom, take this lesson to heart: when you read, when you write, allow the poetry to pull forth your deepest emotions. Do not approach it with defenses, but with openness. Seek to uncover what lies beneath the surface, to confront the feelings that you may have tucked away. In this way, poetry becomes a path to greater understanding—of yourself, of others, and of the world. Let each poem be an invitation to explore the depths of your own soul, and through that exploration, let it lead you toward greater empathy, insight, and connection with the world around you.