Poetry is but another form of inquiry into the nature of

In the vast expanse of human knowledge, there are countless methods and approaches we use to understand the world around us. Science seeks to measure, to test, and to explain, while philosophy delves into the depths of reason and existence. But in this great human pursuit, there is one art form that stands apart, one that seeks not only to understand but to feel, not just to reason but to experience. John Barton, in his wisdom, reminds us of this when he says, “Poetry is but another form of inquiry into the nature of phenomena, using with its own unique procedures and tools.” Here, Barton reveals that poetry is not a mere exercise in artistic expression; it is a quest for truth, a profound search into the very essence of the world, using the poet’s intuition, imagination, and the unique power of language as its tools.

Consider, for a moment, the great poets of the ancient world. They were not merely writers; they were seekers, explorers of the human spirit and the natural world. Homer, for instance, did not simply recount the tale of Achilles or the journey of Odysseus—he inquired into the very nature of humanity, the forces of fate, war, and love. Through his epic poems, Homer explored not just the deeds of heroes, but the profound questions of what it means to be human. His words were not mere stories; they were attempts to understand the very essence of life itself. Poetry—as Barton suggests—was his method of inquiry, using the tools of metaphor, symbolism, and rhythm to probe the deepest mysteries of existence.

In the same spirit, the great Greek philosophers engaged in a search for truth, but they used logic and reason as their tools. Plato, in his dialogues, questioned the very nature of reality, using the method of dialogue to probe the nature of truth, justice, and virtue. Yet, even in his quest for reason, Plato recognized the power of poetry. He famously wrote in The Republic that poets, though capable of leading people to deep truths, could also lead them astray with their illusions. Yet, this very contradiction—this tension between illusion and truth—is what poetry seeks to address. Poetry, like philosophy, is a search for truth, but it is a search that often works through the symbolic rather than the logical, through the emotional rather than the intellectual.

The unique procedures and tools that Barton speaks of are the very things that set poetry apart. While science and philosophy might use the tools of observation, logic, and empirical evidence, poetry uses the tools of imagination, emotion, and language to explore the nature of existence. William Blake, the visionary poet, used symbolism and metaphor to inquire into the nature of human consciousness and the relationship between the spiritual and the material. His poems, such as The Tyger, did not simply describe the world—they raised questions about creation, evil, and innocence that could not be answered by science or reason alone. Through poetry, Blake explored the deepest phenomena of the human soul.

In the modern era, poetry continues to serve as a means of inquiry, though its methods may have evolved. W.B. Yeats, in his later years, used the rhythms of poetry to search for deeper spiritual truths, wrestling with his own understanding of fate, death, and the nature of time. His work, like that of many poets, did not offer answers but instead provoked questions, inviting the reader to join in the poet’s own journey of discovery. Through the symbols, images, and sounds of poetry, Yeats—and poets like him—used poetry as a way to inquire into the forces that shape our lives and the world we inhabit.

So, the lesson we draw from Barton’s words is this: poetry is not simply an art form, but a method of inquiry, a way of engaging with the world that is as valid and necessary as any scientific or philosophical investigation. The poet, like the philosopher or the scientist, is a seeker of truth. But the poet does not simply observe or analyze; the poet experiences the world deeply, and through that experience, seeks to uncover the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. Poetry asks questions that reason cannot answer, and it uses emotion and imagination to explore what is often beyond our understanding.

In your own life, dear listener, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of inquiry that poetry offers. Do not view poetry as merely an artistic indulgence but as a way to deepen your understanding of the world around you. Ask the difficult questions, seek out the mysteries that lie hidden beneath the surface of daily life, and use the tools of imagination and expression to explore them. Poetry, in all its forms, offers you a way to not just observe life but to engage with it, to dig deeper, to uncover new truths. And in that quest, you will find that the answers are not always clear, but the journey itself is transformative.