The novel has indeed taken the place of printed poems, but don't discount the enormous effect the recorded song has had on poetry. Lyrical poems are alive and well, and never died; they just moved from the printed page to the 45rpm single. Of course, music's properties of mood enhancing or altering have meant that lyrical poetry has become more feeling- and emotion-driven than ever before. This caveat applies mostly to rock-adjacent genres; in hip hop we still find the lyric poem as propositional content.
I'm also excited to see the substack-centered poetry renaissance. Fascinating times!
William, you're about to expose me for the charlatan that I am.
You certainly can make a strong case that lyrical poetry survived through records into the present day. In principle I wouldn't disagree, per se.
At the same time I would hesitate to call Bob Dylan with his Nobel Prize in Literature, a poet. Dylan said himself "I think of myself more as a song and dance man." Poetry and Song are closer than kissing cousins but still I think there is a distinction there which is often difficult to tease out. You bring up hip hop and that could be helpful here. I personally don't consider hip hop or rap, poetry. For one, most rappers would balk at being called poets; they rap.
Regardless, you're right that these are exciting times. Onward!
Yes, there are certainly nuances and distinctions that are ripe for exploring. And it's also an open question whether artists can be trusted to explain their own artwork's proper reception.
By brother saw Bob Dylan in concert a few years ago; he said on the side of the stage Dylan had his Grammy, his Nobel, and his Oscar sitting on a little table. I just find that highly amusing!
I’m with you on the promise of the lyrical poem, but I won’t say it suits our attention-span dilemma. Even short poems welcome rereading, something that the distracted mind doesn’t even think to do.
Fair point, though I don't think these distracted readers are going to engage with poems to begin with.
The public has less patience for mid-length content. They'll either watch a minute long short, or listen to a two hour podcast. Lyrical poetry is aligned with the public's engagement.
The novel has indeed taken the place of printed poems, but don't discount the enormous effect the recorded song has had on poetry. Lyrical poems are alive and well, and never died; they just moved from the printed page to the 45rpm single. Of course, music's properties of mood enhancing or altering have meant that lyrical poetry has become more feeling- and emotion-driven than ever before. This caveat applies mostly to rock-adjacent genres; in hip hop we still find the lyric poem as propositional content.
I'm also excited to see the substack-centered poetry renaissance. Fascinating times!
William, you're about to expose me for the charlatan that I am.
You certainly can make a strong case that lyrical poetry survived through records into the present day. In principle I wouldn't disagree, per se.
At the same time I would hesitate to call Bob Dylan with his Nobel Prize in Literature, a poet. Dylan said himself "I think of myself more as a song and dance man." Poetry and Song are closer than kissing cousins but still I think there is a distinction there which is often difficult to tease out. You bring up hip hop and that could be helpful here. I personally don't consider hip hop or rap, poetry. For one, most rappers would balk at being called poets; they rap.
Regardless, you're right that these are exciting times. Onward!
Yes, there are certainly nuances and distinctions that are ripe for exploring. And it's also an open question whether artists can be trusted to explain their own artwork's proper reception.
By brother saw Bob Dylan in concert a few years ago; he said on the side of the stage Dylan had his Grammy, his Nobel, and his Oscar sitting on a little table. I just find that highly amusing!
Agreed.
That is hilarious! And yeah, his "song and dance man" comment was likely tongue in cheek.
I’m with you on the promise of the lyrical poem, but I won’t say it suits our attention-span dilemma. Even short poems welcome rereading, something that the distracted mind doesn’t even think to do.
Fair point, though I don't think these distracted readers are going to engage with poems to begin with.
The public has less patience for mid-length content. They'll either watch a minute long short, or listen to a two hour podcast. Lyrical poetry is aligned with the public's engagement.