Poetic Excellence: a Personal Reflection

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Poetry dates back as early as the earliest modern civilization, however, it was only a few hundred years ago when it was distinguished as a separate genre of literature, as opposed to prose. Since the times of ancient epic and tragic tales of the supernatural, poetry has evolved to a form of literature in which we can freely express our feelings for not only the world, but also our deepest sentiments with the right choice of diction. Poetry is art that brings out warmth, melancholy, and pride in human beings; however, it also expose the negative aspects in humans as well. It draws us in, mesmerize us with vivid imagery and overflowing emotion, ultimately leaves us speechless. I will elaborate on the topic of poetic excellence with three poems; The Garden of Eden (Paradise Lost, Book IV) by John Milton, Happiness by Stephen Dunn, and lastly, Mirror Image, by Louise Glück. Paradise Lost is a biblical epic poem about the Fall of Man, written by John Milton in the 17th century. In The Garden of Eden, a peaceful and vivacious scene was brought to life. The first humans, Adam and his wife Eve, resides in the Garden of Eden which was created by God. They lived in the most tranquil manners, until when Eve was convinced to eat a fruit from the tree of knowledge. When God discovered, he condemned the pair of disobedience to Him, and expelled them from the sacred paradise. This poem tells a fairy tale of their lives in the garden, of a time when corruption, war, and desires did not exist. The poet accurately recreated this unreal scene into art in the form of a poem. The second poem I chose is Happiness, by Stephen Dunn. Dunn is a contemporary poet who won many prestigious awards and prizes. His poem, Happiness, does not define happiness. Instead, he describes the state, the form, and the journey to achieve it. He did this not by using sophisticated diction, but instead
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