【Art & Design English-23】What makes a poem … a poem? (是什麼讓一首詩……成為一首詩?)

What makes a poem … a poem? Muhammad Ali spent years training to become the greatest boxer the world had ever seen, but only moments to create the shortest poem. Ali captivated Harvard's graduating class in 1975 with his message of unity and friendship. When he finished, the audience wanted more. They wanted a poem. Ali delivered what is considered the shortest poem ever. "Me, we." Or is it "me, weeee"? No one's really sure. Regardless, if these two words are a poem, then what exactly makes a poem a poem? Poets themselves have struggled with this question, often using metaphors to approximate a definition. Is a poem a little machine? A firework? An echo? A dream? Poetry generally has certain recognizable characteristics.

Characteristic 1 Poems emphasize language's musical qualities. This can be achieved through rhyme, rhythm, and meter, from the sonnets of Shakespeare to the odes of Confucius, to the Sanskrit Vedas.

Characteristic 2 Poems use condensed language, like literature with all the water wrung out of it.

Characteristic 3 Poems often feature intense feelings, from Rumi's spiritual poetry to Pablo Neruda's "Ode to an Onion."
Poetry, like art itself, has a way of challenging simple definitions. While the rhythmic patterns of the earliest poems were a way to remember stories even before the advent of writing, a poem doesn't need to be lyrical. Reinhard Döhl's “Apfel” and Eugen Gomringer's "silencio" toe the line between visual art and poetry. Meanwhile, E.E. Cummings wrote poems whose shapes were as important as the words themselves, in this case amplifying the sad loneliness of a single leaf falling through space. If the visual nature of poetry faded into the background, perhaps we'd be left with music, and that's an area that people love to debate. Are songs poems? Many don't regard songwriters as poets in a literary sense, but lyrics from artists like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and Tupac Shakur often hold up even without the music. In rap, poet elements like rhyme, rhythm, and imagery are inseparable from the form. Take this lyric from the Notorious B.I.G. " I can hear sweat trickling down your cheek.
Your heartbeat sound like Sasquatch feet.
Thundering, shaking the concrete ."
So far, all the examples we've seen have had line breaks. We can even imagine the two words of Ali's poem organizing in the air - Me, We. Poetry has a shape that we can usually recognize. Its line breaks help readers navigate the rhythms of a poem. But what if those line breaks disappeared? Would it lose its essence as a poem? Maybe not. Enter the prose poem. Prose poems use vivid images and wordplay but are formatted like paragraphs. When we look at poetry less as a form and more as a concept, we can see the poetic all around us: spiritual hymns, the speeches of orators like Martin Luther King, Jr., JFK, and Winston Churchill, and surprising places like social media. In 2010, journalist Joanna Smith tweeted updates from the earthquake in Haiti. " Was in b-room getting dressed when heard my name. Tremor. Ran outside through sliding door. All still now. Safe. Roosters crowing. " Smith uses language in a way that is powerful, direct, and filled with vivid images. Compare her language to a haiku, the ancient Japanese poetic form that emphasizes bursts of brief intensity with just three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. The waters of poetry run wide and deep. Poetry has evolved over time, and perhaps now more than ever, the line between poetry, prose, song, and visual art has blurred. However, one thing has not changed. The word poetry actually began in verb form, coming from the ancient Greek poiesis, which means to create . Poets, like craftsmen, still work with the raw materials of the world to forge new understandings and comment on what it is to be human in a way only humans can. Dartmouth researchers tested this idea by asking robots to pen poetry. A panel of judges sorted through stacks of sonnets to see if they could distinguish those made by man and machine. You may be happy to know that while scientists have successfully used artificial intelligence in manufacturing, medicine, and even journalism, poetry is a different story. The robots were caught red-handed 100% of the time.
Why robots struggle to write poetry? References (optional) What is a poem? A poem can be about anything - a thought, an emotion or a story. Poems can rhyme, use alliteration or rhythm but they don't have to. alliteration = words that start with the same letter, eg. sun, sea, sand, sound, smell
Alliteration is a literary device where the same consonant sound is repeated at the beginning of multiple words in a sequence. Here are some examples:  "Clary closed her cluttered clothes closet" : The "c" sound is repeated in "Clary," "closed," "cluttered," and "clothes".  "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" : The "p" sound is repeated throughout the phrase.  "years ago, a man named Albert, travelled to America..." : The "a" sound is repeated.  "Silly snakes slither silently" : The "s" sound is repeated.  "The tunnelling train tears through the tricky terrain" : The "t" sound is repeated.  A poem is a piece of writing that uses language rhythmically and imaginatively to express ideas, emotions, or a story, often employing literary devices like rhyme, meter, and figurative language to create a unique and evocative experience for the reader .  Here's a more detailed breakdown of what makes a poem a poem: Key Elements and Characteristics: Rhythm and Sound: Poems often have a distinct rhythm or beat, which can be created through meter (a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables) or simply through the natural flow of language.  Rhyme and Meter: While not all poems rhyme, the use of rhyme, alliteration, and other sound devices can add to the musicality and memorability of a poem.  Figurative Language: Poems frequently employ metaphors, similes, personification, and other forms of figurative language to convey meaning and evoke imagery.  Imagery: Poems use vivid language to create sensory images in the reader's mind, allowing them to experience the poem's themes and emotions more fully.  Structure and Form: Poems can be structured in various ways, such as through stanzas, lines, and different poetic forms (like sonnets, haikus, or ballads), which can contribute to the poem's overall effect.  Emotional Impact: Poetry aims to evoke emotions and stir the imagination of the reader, often exploring complex themes and ideas in a concise and impactful way.  Intention and Purpose: Poems can serve various purposes, from telling a story to expressing personal feelings, celebrating a subject, or exploring abstract concepts.  Language as Art: Poetry emphasizes the aesthetic qualities of language, exploring how words can be arranged and used to create a unique and meaningful experience.  Distinction from Prose: While both poetry and prose use language, poetry often prioritizes sound, rhythm, and form, while prose focuses more on conveying information and telling a story.  "Invictus," meaning "unconquerable," is  a short poem by William Ernest Henley, published in 1888 . The poem expresses resilience and defiance in the face of adversity, emphasizing inner strength and control over one's fate . This poem was used in the movie Invictus as its main inspirational message. Out of the night that covers me,       Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be       For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance       I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance       My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears       Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years       Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,       How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate,       I am the captain of my soul. Rudyard Kipling - IF
"If—" by Rudyard Kipling is  a poem offering advice on how to live a fulfilling and virtuous life, emphasizing qualities like self-belief, resilience, and humility . The poem is structured as a series of conditional statements, each presenting a challenge and a corresponding virtue to navigate it. The speaker, presumably a father, addresses his son on what it means to be a "man" in a world that offers both triumphs and disasters. 
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same: If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!” If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Key Themes and Analysis: Manhood and Virtue: The poem defines manhood not through physical strength or societal success, but through moral character and inner strength. Virtues like self-control, integrity, and humility are emphasized as crucial for navigating life's challenges.  Dealing with Adversity: The poem encourages facing both triumphs and disasters with equanimity, not letting either influence one's character. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure even when others lose theirs.  Self-Belief and Trust: The poem highlights the importance of trusting one's own decisions and maintaining self-belief, even when doubted by others.  Balance and Moderation: Kipling champions a morality built on moderation, advising the son to find a balance between dreaming, thinking, and acting.  Perseverance and Humility: The poem encourages perseverance, urging the reader to push through challenges and not give up. It also emphasizes humility, suggesting that one should not let success or failure define their character.  Integrity and Honesty: The poem stresses the importance of honesty, integrity, and sticking to one's values, even when faced with temptation or pressure.  Humility vs. Pride: The poem contrasts humility with pride, suggesting that one should not let success or power go to their head.  The Importance of Empathy and Understanding: The speaker encourages understanding and empathy towards those who doubt or criticize, recognizing that their doubts should not affect the son's self-worth.  The Power of Perseverance: The poem emphasizes the importance of perseverance, urging the reader to push through challenges and not give up.  Final Exclamation: The poem ends with the exclamation "My son," revealing the poem's form as a dramatic monologue where a father is speaking to his son.  Overall Tone and Purpose: The poem's tone is didactic, providing guidance and instruction on how to live a virtuous and successful life. The poem's purpose is to inspire and motivate the reader to strive for excellence and become a "man" in the true sense of the word.

What is Rudyard Kipling's most famous piece of work? In 1894 appeared his  Jungle Book , which became a children's classic all over the world. Kim (1901), the story of Kimball O'Hara and his adventures in the Himalayas, is perhaps his most felicitous work.
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, novelist, poet, and short-story writer. He was born in British India, which inspired much of his work. Kipling's works of fiction include the Jungle Book duology, Kim, the Just So Stories and many short stories, including "The Man Who Would Be King". Links 【Art & Design English- 02】What is Art For? Most popular poets Classic Poems Transformative Poems About Life Everyone Should Know Famous Peoms - Reader's Digest How to write a poem Popular Tongue Twisters Discussion Questions (Art) How great is your interest in art? What’s the best art gallery you’ve been to? Do you like modern art? What do you think of installation art? Do you ever think a lot of art is not really art? Do you have a favorite artist? What kind of art do you like – paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etc.? What is art? Does art change the way you think or feel? Do you think anyone can be an artist or do you need a special talent? Do you think all children should study art at school? Do you think children should learn the history of art? Do you think a painting can really be worth a million (or more) dollars? Do you think today’s artists are as good as those from hundreds of years ago? What was the last painting/poster/piece of art you bought? Why did you buy it? Describe the pieces of artwork in your house. What kind of art is your country famous for? What kind of life do you think an artist’s is? Do you have any artistic talents? How would the world be different without artists? Discussion Questions (Design) How would you define design? How do you know if something is designed well? Do you think design is important? Why? Have you ever designed anything? What are some well-designed products? What are some poorly designed products? Are there any designers you admire? Have you done any interior design in your home? What are some examples of good design that you appreciate? Why? How does design influence our daily experiences and interactions with products and environments? Can you think of any iconic designs or designers that have made a significant impact on society? What are some key principles or elements of design? How does cultural and historical context influence design aesthetics? Can you describe a design project or process that you have been involved in or observed? How does user experience (UX) design contribute to the functionality and usability of products and services? What role does sustainability play in design? Share examples of environmentally conscious design practices. How can design be used to solve social and humanitarian challenges? What are some current trends in design that you find interesting? How does technology influence the field of design? Discuss the impact of digital tools and software. Can you think of any examples of design that have sparked controversy or provoked discussions? How can design be inclusive and accessible to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds? Can you share any examples of designs that evoke specific emotions or create a particular atmosphere? How does design differ across various disciplines, such as graphic design, industrial design, or interior design? What are some ethical considerations in design? Discuss the responsibility of designers towards users and society. Can you think of any design failures or instances where poor design affected the user experience? What lessons can be learned from them? How can design thinking be applied beyond traditional design fields to problem-solving and innovation? What skills and qualities do you think are essential for a successful career in design? How has technology influenced the field of graphic design in recent years? Can you think of any examples of design that successfully blend form and function? Explain why they are effective. How does cultural diversity influence design aesthetics and the portrayal of different cultures in design? What are some key considerations in designing user interfaces for mobile applications? Can you describe a design project that aims to address sustainability or environmental issues? How does typography contribute to the overall design and message of printed materials? What are some effective ways to gather user feedback during the design process? How can color psychology be utilized in design to evoke specific emotions or convey certain messages? Can you think of any examples where design played a crucial role in shaping a company’s brand identity? What are the main differences between designing for print media and designing for digital media? How can design be used to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities? Can you describe a design trend that you find intriguing? Why do you think it has gained popularity? How does packaging design influence consumer perception and purchasing decisions? What ethical considerations should designers keep in mind when creating advertisements or marketing materials? How has social media influenced the field of design and the way designers showcase their work? Can you think of any innovative design solutions that have improved people’s lives in developing countries? What are some challenges in designing for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences? How does design impact the gaming industry, particularly in terms of user interface and user experience? Can you describe a famous architectural design that has become an iconic landmark? What makes it significant? How do cultural symbols and icons influence design choices, especially in international contexts? Discussion Questions (Art Culture) How often do you go to art museums? Do you consider yourself to be artistic? What do you think about modern art paintings? How many forms of art can you name? What is your favorite form of art? Is graffiti art? Why or why not? What is the most famous statue in your country? Who is your favorite artist? Why do you like them so much? Do you think that art is important to society? Why? Have you ever tried drawing, painting, sculpting, or something else artistic? What is the most famous painting in your country? What is traditional art like in your culture? What country do you think is the most creative? Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive? Do you have any artistic friends? What kinds of art do they create?