Definition
A definition of poetry
Poetry is a verbal communication, in which the words interact more than syntactically to produce a memorable and coherent statement.
The more the words interact and the more memorable and coherent the statement, so the better the poem.
Published in Orbis (1984)
and Acumen (2015)
by William Alderson
Poems on this site:
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The Accident
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Future Floodlands at Peterborough Cathedral
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i.m. Neil Faulkner
As poem cards:
I developed the definition above over 30 years ago, and I have been using it ever since. I have found that it works for all poetry, regardless of language and regardless of whether it uses rhyme and metre, is free verse, or is concrete poetry like my 'Abstraction in the Style of Mondrian'.
In 2021 I was one of 31 people to have essays published online under the heading 'New Defences of Poetry'. Organised by David O’Hanlon-Alexandra at the University of Newcastle, this project marked the bicentenary of Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'A Defence of Poetry'. These essays are no longer available online, but my 'Defending the Indefensible?' is available here.
In 2016 I was one of six people to win a commission to write a performance piece for the Future Floodlands event in Peterborough. It was preformed twice on Saturday 13 August. Somewhere Else is a five-part verse drama for two voices. I have written several blogs about this production.
In 2015 I was placed 2nd in the Fenland Poet Laureate Award with 'Silt Road'.
In 2014 I read at an arts day at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, including two poems, specially written for the occasion:
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'Iron Age Hen', which I read in their Iron Age house (see photo)
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'Arts Day at the Chiltern Open Air Museum', which I wrote on the day and read in the Northolt Barn.
Please contact me through chandlerpress@me.com.
