Is Poetry Dead? in Philosophy

“Poetry is dead,” declares an opinion piece recently published in The New York Times. The reason? Our alienation from nature, a direct result of the complexities of the modern world.

But one glance at os.me would suggest otherwise

Here at os.me, poetry is vibrantly alive. It is breathing, flourishing, and thriving. From verses that express the deepest devotional sentiments to songs that evoke laughter, the brilliant poets of this unique corner of the internet have ensured that the music of the bards continues to flow incessantly.

This is the first ever roundup centred around the theme of poems, and when I sat down to write it, my mind buzzed with a million ideas. There’s so much that I’d like to share about an art form that’s closest to my heart – poems that made me tear up at midnight, deep dives into poetic devices, prompts to inspire your compositions; and the strange shenanigans of some famous poets. But before all of that, I want to begin with a simple question –

What does poetry mean to you?

When I was younger, I had rather rigid notions about what constituted a poem. My parents named me Kavana, a Kannada word that means “poem.” I embraced the name, taking to poetry as a fish does to water. For me, a poem was a puzzle, a game that required you to fit rhyming sentences together in a way that they’d roll off your tongue with grace. It was a collection of lines separated by a spacebar. Short sentences and pretty words, held together by rhythm and rhyme.

But a poem is so much more than that.

I remember being blown away when I realized that lines in a poem don’t necessarily need to rhyme. A poem exists in a space of unique freedom where words can take on any shape and form. A poem is not a construction, it is an outpouring. An outpouring of grief, pain, love, and beauty; of everything that makes us human.

A poem is open to a million interpretations, and every word is a remembrance of a different memory, a fruit of lives lived so differently. A poem is less a reflection of the poet and more of the reader. Hand someone a few lines from a poem but withhold details of its creation. This exercise will evoke a response that may or may not provide you with insights into the poem, but it will definitely give you a glimpse into a life so different from your own.

In its simplest form, a poem is an attempt at connection. It is a reaching for the mundane as well as for what lies beyond our comprehension. It is an expression of emotions often left unsaid, a search for meaning in suffocating madness, and a prayer to be understood.

A poem, then, is a lot like life.

Here are some beautiful poems that os.me members have penned in the last month. But before you begin to savor these poems and contemplate what Poetry means to you, I have another question for you:

Which was the first-ever poem published by a member on os.me? (Find the answer right at the end of this post!)

The Restless Seeker: Prarthi D uses rich imagery to express the journey of every seeker on the path to finding one’s own truth. This journey leads a seeker across the oceans and over vast stretches of sand. But where does it end? This delightful poem has the answer.

My Ram: This poem by Taahira Om has been crafted with such tenderness, it is sure to strum your heartstrings. “How close you stay/ to my frail little heart/ warming my cold hands/ and feet when the thunder/tears me asunder.” Beautiful, isn’t it?

River Giri: In this soothing poem, Kirtee Om’s words flow like the holy river Giri and every line brims with devotion. If you take a minute to experience this poem and then close your eyes, you will be transported to one of the most magical places on Earth.

An Upside Down Poem: “Something strangely inside me wants to set this poem free…and there is no better space than our os.me family home to do so, no? ” Of course! With this poem, Rohinee makes use of a compelling format that aptly expresses the craziness of a workaholic life.

A Silent Fool: As a young girl growing up in a world that doesn’t tire of spewing lies cloaked as advice, this poem hit close to home. What began as an exploration of an experience of being fooled led Rashmi Om to pen this brilliant poem on the many lies that society feeds us with vigour.

No Two Gods: Sadhvi Vrinda Om’s poem is a beautiful expression of the devotion that brims in a heart that has fallen in love with the divine. The words are laced with love, inviting you to embrace the beauty of gentle surrender.

“The soul so aches to sing/ of your golden deeds/
to be the fine dust at your pristine feet”

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I hope you relish the sweetness of these splendid poems, and if you are in search of more, then you are in for a treat! Click on the ‘Poem’ tag to discover more poems written by our fantastic members. Also, don’t forget to tag the poems that you publish, you wouldn’t want us to miss out on them, would you? Reading and sharing poetry is one of the greatest joy of human life and I have some exciting plans for the future rounds up! If you’d like to ensure that they reach you, all you need to do is click on the follow button.

Oh, and if you are looking for the right answer, here it is: The first-ever poem published by an OS.ME member was “Hymn of Love” penned by Gauri Om on May 29, 2020. Did you answer that correctly? Do let me know.

I wish you all a wonderful year ahead – a year that is filled with poems because a life brimming with poetry is a life well lived.