Jaihoon asserts that poetry powerfully explores the depth of human experience, inspiring the young students to embrace creativity.
Unlike other forms of reading, poetry isn’t often considered an exciting topic. I understand that many of you might not be particularly interested in it. Poetry isn’t a widely read genre, primarily because it demands thoughtful engagement. In our fast-paced world, many people aren’t inclined to ponder the poet’s words. When I say “most people,” I mean the general public, not necessarily you, my young friends.
So, what is poetry? While I didn’t invent this definition, poetry is essentially a celebration of the human experience. Human experience encompasses everything imaginable: our emotions, tears, laughter, and more. Poetry isn’t merely lines and rhymes. It can be a nation’s anthem, a company’s slogan like Nike’s “Just Do It,” or even a religious text.
Even in sports commentary, there’s a poetic quality as commentators elaborate and describe events. All religious texts, including the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran, and the Bible, are poetic in nature. We refer to sections of these texts as “verses,” not “lines.” The act of worship itself is poetic, as we praise and glorify a divine being we cannot fully comprehend. Paradoxically, while much of the world operates on poetic principles, few people actively seek out poetry.
WordPress, a leading blogging platform, has the motto “Coding is poetry.” This suggests that any activity we’re passionate about can be seen as a form of poetic expression.
Since the dawn of human history, poets have celebrated love in all its forms: maternal love, romantic love, and even a warrior’s love for their weapons. Love is the sun around which poets orbit.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of poetry. While prose is straightforward and factual, poetry employs imagination, metaphor, and symbolism. When a poet says, “You look like the moon,” they’re not making a literal comparison but using figurative language.
I aim to inspire you to appreciate literature, as it reconnects us to our humanity in this fast-paced world. It’s okay to be human, including experiencing emotions like sadness. A good poet often cries, as tears are a genuine expression of human vulnerability. Our social environments can suppress our emotions, but bottling them up can lead to emotional outbursts. So, don’t be afraid to cry, as it’s a natural part of the human experience.
In our current age, technology often distances us from our humanity. While AI can generate text, it lacks the depth and imperfection of human-written poetry. We humans make mistakes, as evidenced by the errors in this very speech.
Many countries have gained independence inspired by powerful poetry. For instance, Allama Iqbal’s “Tarānah-e-Hindi” ignited a desire for freedom among the Indian people.
A recent Khaleej Times article discussed the concept of “popcorn brains,” highlighting our tendency to get distracted by technology. The article humorously described a person who, while doing laundry, got distracted by a phone notification and forgot to turn off the toaster.
The constant battle between generations regarding technology use is evident. We need to balance screen time with time spent in nature, whether it’s petting a cat, basking in the sun, or simply tending to a plant. A good poet is often deeply connected to nature. While traditional education relies heavily on textbooks, we should strive to incorporate more nature-based learning experiences. Even a simple act like watering a plant can foster a connection to the natural world.
Highlights from Mujeeb Jaihoon’s poetry workshop for students of Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Girls. Posted Dec 24 2024.
