Universal Symbols
by
Frank Fields
copyright 03-24-2008
Age Rating: 7 to 127
Poetry is an art form. It is created and crafted by poets--artists who are craftspeople. You and me. Like any artist, we need tools to create our works. But, I can't hand you a box of words and expect that a poem will result. Not a very good one, at any rate.
I can, however, hand you some tools, explain their use and function, then expect that you'll be able to use them properly. Whether you do or not is up to you, of course.
One of the most useful and important tools that a poet can have is an understanding of symbols. Universal Symbols as I like to see them, because they transcend race and language, creed or color, and other restrictive applications.
You see what you are writing.
You hear what you are writing.
You smell what you are writing.
You touch what you are writing.
You taste what you are writing.
You become emotionally involved with what you are writing.
Recognizing those few realities allows you to know that if those things are happening to you, they will also be happening to anyone who reads your writing.
If you want your reader to see colors, like the blazing, bright, golden-yellow sun, describe them.
If you want your reader to hear the echos of pounding surf, crashing on the jutting rocks, describe that.
If you want your reader to smell the putrid odor of a rotten garbage heap, describe that.
If you want your reader to feel the soft, smooth, touch of a gentle finger sliding across the satin skin of neck and shoulder, tell it that way.
If you want your reader to feel the mouth pucker at the acrid taste of bitter lemon, tell it so.
If you want your reader to know the silent sadness of a gripping hand around your heart, because your loved one died, tell them that.
Those descriptions, those symbols, are universal. They carry the same meaning and intensity to almost everyone. Almost, because there will always be exceptions. The vast majority will interpret your writing as you want them to.
But you must apply your tools of words.
Choose your words carefully, even their placement, and your own reaction to what you've written. Choose words that will describe the vision in your mind's eye. Just as a studio artist chooses colors from a palette of paint, you choose colors from your palette of words. Choose the words that have the feeling for what you're saying and you'll be using Universal Symbols.
A short article, like this one, can't possibly hope to give a list of evocative and descriptive words. There are just too many. Which is a good thing for you, and me as well, because now our tool box will become more and more filled.
I'm going to try to do another article that will give a listing of some symbolic words that are even more Universal than the thoughts above.
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This was brilliantly informative and very interesting to read! Any writer, especially young ones just starting out, can benefit greatly from lessons like this one. Great work, thank you for sharing!
I have never been able to get a hold of writing poetry. Sometimes on very rare occasions I miraculously come up with something decent to hand in to the teacher, but otherwise, I consider myself hopeless. But I've never looked at it this way. I kind of feel like if I try it this way... maybe I can do it. Thanks for this!
Thank you very much for your responses. As with anyone, sometimes I truly wonder if any advice is meaningful or even listened to. To receive this kind of encouragement is heartening and allows me to maintain a good direction. ^^
If I couldn't share my experiences freely with everyone here, I think I'd be violating the spirit and greater value which PnP reflects.
Ah, such good advice given so freely! This is truly an altruistic act, my friend. Other poets would do something akin to taking on an apprentice to teach their secrets to, but you give so freely of your advice. It is welcome for those who are not master poets like yourself, and it is given in a friendly manner that suggests that the reader can choose how to use your advice instead of pushing it like it is the only path to being a good poet. Thanks for the advice, my good man.
A gift given freely, hope and trust in words, touch the shades and pull open, natural feel for the process, well written, instruction left. Looking at the words and the meaning I find guidance and warm smile for the words shared. Walt
Welcome !
