I think that's what poetry does. It allows people to come
I think that's what poetry does. It allows people to come together and identify with a common thing that is outside of themselves, but which they identify with from the interior.
Hear now the words of Diane Wakoski, a poet who reflects on the transcendent power of poetry: “I think that's what poetry does. It allows people to come together and identify with a common thing that is outside of themselves, but which they identify with from the interior.” In these words, Wakoski reveals the true magic of poetry—its ability to unite us through a shared experience, a shared understanding, even when the subject of that experience may be entirely external or distant. Poetry, she suggests, connects us to something larger than ourselves, something beyond our individual concerns, yet it speaks in a language that resonates deeply within. Through poetry, the external world becomes an extension of our inner lives, and in this union, we find common ground.
The ancients understood this power of poetry well. Consider Homer, whose Iliad and Odyssey spoke of gods, heroes, and distant lands, yet resonated deeply with the experiences of his audience. The Greeks did not see the stories of Homer as distant myths but as reflections of their own human condition—struggles with fate, love, and loss. The poetry of Homer allowed the listener to identify with the heroic figures and the divine forces that shaped their world, seeing in them echoes of their own battles and triumphs. Through these external stories, the listener found a way to touch their own inner life, to connect with a larger, shared narrative.
Similarly, the epic poetry of Virgil in the Aeneid connected the Roman people to their own origins, their mythic past, and the foundation of their empire. The external world of Aeneas’ journey and the establishment of Rome became a mirror through which Romans could understand their own identity, their struggles, and their destiny. The poetry allowed them to come together as a people, not just through history or politics, but through the shared experience of myth and meaning. These ancient poets understood that poetry could bridge the individual and the collective, using external stories to evoke internal truths.
In the modern world, we find the same dynamic at work. Consider the impact of Walt Whitman and his Leaves of Grass. Whitman’s work, though rooted in the individual experience, speaks to universal themes—freedom, the body, the human spirit. When Whitman writes, “I celebrate myself, and sing myself,” he is both exploring his personal journey and inviting every reader to find themselves in his words. His poetry creates a space where the individual is not alone, where their experiences and emotions can be shared and understood by others. Through poetry, Whitman allows us to identify with something both personal and collective—an identity forged in the experience of being human.
Wakoski’s words bring to light this timeless power of poetry: it serves as a bridge between the self and the world, between the personal and the collective. When we read a poem that resonates with us, we are connecting with a truth that is not just our own but shared with others. This common truth can be a feeling, an image, or a story, but it always comes from a place of authenticity. Poetry allows us to recognize something outside ourselves, yet it speaks to something within us, connecting us to the deeper, often hidden layers of our own lives. In this way, poetry unites us across time and space, offering us a shared language for the human experience.
The lesson here is clear: poetry has the unique ability to create connection. Through its words, we are drawn out of our isolation and into the shared experience of life. Whether the poem is personal or universal, it opens a window through which we can glimpse another’s inner world and, in doing so, find a part of ourselves. Poetry offers a space for us to explore the human condition—not just as individuals, but as a community of beings who share similar hopes, fears, joys, and sorrows. Poetry invites us into a larger narrative, allowing us to see beyond the confines of our own lives and recognize the common threads that bind us all.
Practical actions follow. As a poet, write with the knowledge that your words are a bridge. They connect you to the reader, but they also connect the reader to something larger than themselves—a shared experience, a universal truth. Do not write in isolation; instead, create work that invites others into the conversation. If you are a reader, engage with poetry not only as an art form, but as a space for connection. Recognize the ways in which poetry reflects your own life and experiences, and allow it to bring you closer to others. In both writing and reading, embrace the power of poetry to create shared understanding and empathy.
Thus, Wakoski’s words remind us that poetry is not just a solitary pursuit, but a communal experience. It allows us to transcend the boundaries of self and connect with others through shared emotion and meaning. As writers and readers, we must recognize that poetry is a space where the personal and the collective meet, and in this meeting, we find a deeper connection to the world and to one another. Through poetry, we are united, not by our differences, but by the universal truths that bind us all.
L6khuynh minh kien lop 6a4
I really connect with this idea of poetry as something that unites interiority with community. It feels like a quiet form of empathy—an emotional mirror that reflects both self and other. But I wonder, can poetry still achieve this kind of unity in such a polarized world? Or does it only reach those who are already open to introspection and shared feeling? That tension makes poetry’s role today feel even more vital.
DCvan dai ca
This idea beautifully captures the social role of poetry. It suggests that art helps people move beyond their own egos toward something shared, yet intimate. I’m curious, though—does poetry need to be universal to achieve this effect, or can even highly personal or obscure writing create that sense of collective recognition? Maybe it’s not the subject but the emotion that draws people together.
GMGs msovw
What Wakoski says here reminds me that poetry is less about the poet and more about the reader’s experience. It’s amazing how a poem can speak to so many different people for different reasons, yet still create a sense of shared meaning. But it makes me wonder—can poetry still foster that kind of connection in an age where people often read in isolation, online, and without communal context?
DKVo Duy Khanh
I find this quote comforting because it captures why poetry matters even in our fragmented world. It’s not about self-expression alone—it’s about recognition. When someone reads a poem and feels understood, it’s as if their inner life finds an echo. Do you think this emotional identification is unique to poetry, or can other art forms, like music or film, achieve the same interior connection on a collective scale?
HDHa Daothi
This observation feels deeply human. It makes me think that poetry’s power lies in its paradox—it connects us through something profoundly individual. But I wonder, how does poetry manage to be both personal and communal at the same time? Is it the imagery, the rhythm, or something more intangible? It’s fascinating that words born from solitude can end up creating a sense of unity among strangers.