Who reads poetry during a break? 

What an ironic start for this article. January 13 is observed as Poetry Break Day, yet readership in poetry seems to be shrinking by the year. The natural question that comes to the mind says: Is poetry even a good idea for a break? After all, how can one expect people to take a break through poetry when they don’t seem to enjoy the very art itself!

Except literature lovers, one may look within and ask themselves, when was the last time they read a poem? (Even Whatsapp forward poems count.)
And yet astonishingly, this art not only thrives but even shines on its day! So let us then try to debunk some myths, shift perspectives and work on changing attitudes that say nay to poetry.

Poetry doesn’t belong to this age!
Most students read tough classical poems in school as part of their syllabus and develop an aversion instead of cultivating a taste. Since they are exposed to examples they cannot connect with, they make the fallacy of calling the art of poetry as outdated.
Yet, think of Don Bradman-the legendary cricketer. If many current day cricket lovers see his video clips on the internet, most will not feel any relatability with the modern game they love so much. There is bound to be a certain dip in interest levels. Still the game of cricket remains fun and relevant right?

Something similar happens with poetry. So why limit poetry to the verses in school syllabus? Like cricket and everything else in the world, Poetry is also constantly flowing and innovating itself. Find it all around you in a new avatar.

But how is writing/ reading poetry practical?
In a highly competitive world where time is money, one often wonders how and where poetry helps beyond school.
Much like Math, the authentic application of poetry also comes in the real world. The addition, subtraction and basic Math concepts taught in school (barring trigonometry and Pythagoras theorem) are all applied in real life situations i.e. from banking work to grocery bills and more.

Poetry too is similarly applied. In the modern age, poetry serves as ‘emotion management’. By reading the poems of great writers, we gain an insight into our own emotions and find that neither were we the first to go through a certain travail and will certainly not be the last. A great tool of self expression, poetry goes beyond entertainment, as it brings us closer to ourselves.

And finally, what does the poet want to say?
It is almost a public referendum that most people, including poetry lovers, find poetry very abstract and tough to understand.
One has to admit that the prosecution has a strong point here. But don’t be disheartened! In a world with infinite songs and movies (of which many we don’t like), eventually we do stumble upon those that speak to our soul. Same with poetry. The verses meant for you, will come to you! What one calls a good poem by another poet, is essentially the work that has expressed an emotion or touched a thought close to one’s heart.
Just hang on and keep reading! And make your breaks more lively!