Have you ever heard music with lyrics that just made you have to cover your ears for the bad language… or maybe it was the message that did not agree with you? Have you ever seen a sculpture or painting that made you uneasy, something that distracted you from the beauty of the piece?
Using expletives in poetry can often create the same uncomfortable reactions… and distractions.
Art is subjective, and impressions of it are limited only by the amount of eyes and ears taking it all in. Interpretations can be based on culture, class, religion, or even a political worldview. Poetry is no different. It represents just as much of an artistic medium as music, sculpture, painting, or even dance does.
Language is the means by which a poet conveys emotion, reason, and an intrinsic message. By blurring the imagery, or smudging the focus, using harsh language tends to divert a reader from the main objective… to get a message across.
Words can get in the way. Ask any writer who rewrites! A writer rewrites with more appropriate phrases and words that accentuate meaning, wiping the slate clean of any “bumps in the road” for the contemporary reader. Bad language, over erotic, or even taboo content, can create “bumps in the road” when seeking a broader appeal beyond darker poetry.
When I taught high schoolers, I would often hear some ripe language in the classroom. I would politely join the conversation and softly say, “Y’know, I’ve heard that people use bad language when they can’t find the right words to say. Do you know the right words to say?” I’d challenge them to be better conversationalists with this kind of reverse psychology… anyone who has had teenagers knows this tactic well! Better articulation for better conversation .
People tend to want to talk to those who can eloquently and politely convey what they want to say. In much the same way, poetry lovers want to read poems that allow them a clear and intelligent means to an end.
Class poems that can deliver the beauty of poetry without the blue smudge of lurid language also offer a better chance of being published by a reputable publisher. Premiere inoffensive poetry with potent relatable content is hard to deny!
It’s all about appeal. Finding better words to replace street language not only projects a more quality image of the poet, it also represents a reputable hallmark of greatness all poets sincerely seek to achieve.
Please feel free to leave a comment on using blue language in poetry below. I’m always open to discussions! Thank you for reading.
Matt Elmore
