Some people read poetry regularly, but most of us tend to hear it read out on special occasions. You can probably think of a wedding, funeral or other event where a poem has been used to express emotions.
Even if you’re reading a poem by yourself, you can understand it better if you read it aloud – they are meant to be spoken, after all. Then go back and look at the title. Think what the poet might be trying to communicate to you, by asking yourself:
- Does it have a shape?
- Is there any use of rhyme?
- What does the poem make you feel?
There’s no right or wrong way to respond to a poem. You might need to read it through a few times before you get it to flow and really start to understand what is being said. If you enjoy reading poetry, the chances are you’ll enjoy writing it too.
