Have you ever considered what would happen if you were the only person left on the planet? Although we generally like to think of ourselves as somewhat entertaining, don’t you think that would get boring after awhile?
Perhaps you have heard the term “opposites attract”… two distinctly different people being drawn to each other? What causes that magnetism… and sustains such relationships?
Our world is comprised not only of many different cultures, geographies, and societal conditions, it is also drawn together by just as many similarities. I believe that it is both these differences AND commonalities that create our poetic perspective.
To call perspective a “worldview” is to narrow it down to particular ideologies such as religion, politics, and nationality. I believe perspective calls all these into play… yet it can also draw upon tastes in art, character, and individual dignity. We are the sum of our experiences!
When applied to poetry, perspective can be debilitating, due to the poet’s particular background and way of looking at things. We have to widen our scopes as poets!
The most versatile bards are those that transcend their own personal opinions. They take on different subjects and points of view, then reconcile them with their own. In doing so, they create a unique perspective, or make a more complex statement of universal purpose.
Addressing something so simple as differing views on fashion, or even what is preferable weather, can create an enjoyable palette of variations. Getting a bit more complex, one might negotiate differentiating life goals or personal agendas, or find a common ground in conservative and liberal viewpoints. If you discover the latter,… let me know! We could all use that!
Being a poet is all about identifying perspectives. Being a next level poet involves reconciling as many perspectives as one possibly can within reason. It is in finding out the commonalities of our differences that we may make this a better world through our art… as something EVERYONE can relate to.
Matt Elmore
Image by: Unsplash
A thought provoking post Matt. Taking an alternative perspective is quite an art for poets to master. The Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget called it Decentering. If you can do it, it expands your repertoire infinitely.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a great place to start when you come to a dead end… broaden perspective!
DeleteYes, Matt this is true, isn't it? A good example would be, everyone has a common goal of Peace in the world. Yet, different beliefs and reasons bring about war. Universal Peace & Love 🪷
ReplyDeleteHello Karin! Agreed… a more universal humanitarian perspective of our world as one community would be an absolutely beautiful thing!
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