Poems in the first person singluar........

Shadow77 · Jan 1, 2008

I've read with interest some opinions that poems in the first person singular are not as "objective" as other points of view. I write poems mostly in first person singular, but I've tried rewriting some of them in another voice (i.e., "he" instead of "I") but I don't feel like the result is any different.

Any thoughts on this?

Tom from NJ

LimeyDawg · Jan 1, 2008

POV isn't nearly as important as the poetry as a whole. I'd have to say that if nothing changes in the poem with switches in the POV, then it is unimportant. There are some great poems--classics, written in first person singular. There are poems where the more intimate POV is important, and a change would ruin the work. Neruda's "Saddest Poem" would not be so great in any other POV.

Shadow77 · Jan 1, 2008

Wow, I was aware of Neruda as a Spanish poet, but when I just read "The Saddest Poem," I was blown away. It, unfortunately, fits my life like he has known me for the last 35 years. I have been looking for this language, or at least this consolation, for a very long time.

Thanks,

Tom from NJ

Poems in the first person singluar........

Shadow77

LimeyDawg

Scars are poems too

Shadow77