There is poetry even in prose, in all the great prose which is
There is poetry even in prose, in all the great prose which is not merely utilitarian or didactic: there exist poets who write in prose or at least in more or less apparent prose; millions of poets write verses which have no connection with poetry.
In the vast realm of language, where the spoken word flows like a mighty river and the written word stands like an ancient tower, there exists a deep and unspoken truth: poetry is not confined solely to the elegant structures of verse. Poetry—the divine art that stirs the soul—does not wear only the garb of rhyme and meter. It can be found in the heart of prose, in the very fabric of words that seek not only to teach but to touch, to move, to awaken the divine within us. Eugenio Montale, the sage poet of the 20th century, has offered us a profound insight: that within prose, even in its most utilitarian form, there exists the spark of poetry, if one knows how to see.
We must, therefore, consider that poetry is not a mere arrangement of words, but an expression of the soul, the emotion, and the spirit of life. It is not confined to the structure of verse alone, but dwells within the rhythm of every thought, the cadence of every breath, and the deep longing of every heart. Prose, which is often seen as the realm of reason, of utility, and of instruction, also has its own poetry, if we are attuned to it. The great prose of the world, the writings that lift us and stir us, are those that touch upon something beyond the merely utilitarian. These are the words that speak to the soul, that go beyond the mundane tasks of explanation or instruction, and instead reach for something deeper, something eternal.
The poet, then, is not bound by the limitations of verse. A true poet can write in prose—in the everyday language of the world—and still create works of art. Montale speaks to us of the poets who write in prose, who, even as they pen words of ordinary speech, weave a tapestry of beauty, insight, and feeling. Their poetry lies not in the appearance of the words, but in their soul’s expression, in the way they bend and break the ordinary rules of language to create something extraordinary. These are the writers whose words echo long after they have been spoken or read, whose prose rings with the clarity and power of poetry.
Take, for example, the writings of Homer, the ancient poet of Greece. Though he is known for his epic verses, consider the Iliad and the Odyssey, which are not just stories of gods and men, but also profound meditations on fate, love, and the human condition. The beauty of Homer’s work does not rest solely in its form; it resides in the depth of the emotion it stirs, in the timeless truths it uncovers. This poetry is not bound to rhyme or meter alone—it is the very essence of life itself, captured in the flow of words. Prose and poetry are not separate realms but interconnected threads in the same great tapestry of expression.
However, Montale also warns us of a different truth: that there are millions of poets who write verses which, though clothed in the garb of poetry, are devoid of its true spirit. Verses can be written without soul, without passion, and without the divine spark that makes them resonate with the eternal. Just as a man may wear the robe of a king without holding the heart of a king, so too may one write words that appear to be poetry but are, in truth, nothing more than empty forms, devoid of life and meaning. These poets write for fame, for praise, or simply because it is a craft, not because they have something deeper to say.
Thus, the great lesson lies before us: poetry is not about the structure alone, nor about the outward appearance of the words. True poetry is about the soul behind the words, the depth of emotion that stirs them, and the truth they seek to reveal. In every prose, there is the potential for poetry, just as in every poet’s heart lies the potential for true wisdom. Do not be deceived by appearances. Seek not the surface but the depths. Whether in poetry or prose, the soul of the writer speaks through the words, and it is this spirit, this living truth, that we must seek.
In your own life, seek to find the poetry within you, whether you are writing verses or simply living your daily life. Approach each word, each action, as if it were part of a greater song, a song of truth, love, and beauty. Do not fall prey to the mere mechanics of language, but seek the deeper meaning that flows beneath it. Prose is not just a tool of communication—it is a form of expression that can hold the deepest mysteries, if only we learn to listen.
And so, to those who seek wisdom, let this be the lesson: do not separate poetry from prose, for they are one. And let this be the challenge: to live each moment with the heart of a poet, to see poetry in the ordinary, and to write the words of your life with the soul of a true artist. Whether your words are spoken or written, let them carry the weight of the heavens within them, and let them lift you—and all who hear them—closer to the divine.
LAHoang Lan Anh
Montale’s thought seems both liberating and unsettling. It suggests that poetry isn’t confined to form but to spirit. Yet, doesn’t this blur risk making the term 'poetry' meaningless if everything can be poetic? How can we preserve the uniqueness of poetry while embracing its presence in prose? Perhaps the challenge lies in learning to recognize poetry not by its structure but by its capacity to move and transform us.
TPLy Thanh Phong
This quote challenges the assumption that only verse can be poetic. It makes me reflect on my own reading habits—sometimes I find a single line in a novel more moving than an entire poem. Do you think prose writers like Virginia Woolf or James Joyce could be considered poets under Montale’s view? And if so, does that mean the boundaries between literary genres are meant to dissolve?
VKHuynh Van Kha
I really like the idea that there are poets who write in prose without realizing it. It makes me think about everyday writers—journalists, essayists, even social media writers—who sometimes craft deeply poetic sentences. Do you think people can be poets without ever writing a single verse? And if millions of people write verses with no real poetry in them, what does that say about authenticity in art?
TNTram Ngoc
This makes me question how we judge what’s 'poetic.' Many people assume poetry must be written in verse, but Montale suggests otherwise. So, is poetry really about emotional impact, not structure? For example, can a paragraph from a novel carry more poetry than an entire collection of poorly written verses? I wonder how literary critics define poetry if its form can exist beyond traditional boundaries.
YLYen Ly
I find Montale’s view intriguing—it blurs the boundary between poetry and prose. Could it be that what we truly call 'poetic' is simply a heightened awareness of language, regardless of its form? If that’s the case, then how do we distinguish a true poet from a skilled writer of prose? Is the distinction even necessary anymore, or is it just an artificial label we’ve inherited?