Poetry for the Masses - Why Taylor Swift is changing Poetry for us all
This week in the UK, Swiftie mania has grabbed us hard as Taylor Swift brings her much acclaimed Eras Tour to us. I along with countless others will be singing my heart out in a stadium over the coming weeks. My 13yr old daughter is beside herself and I also cannot wait to watch my small human live this moment. It will be defining for us both.
As I study hard (listening to her poetic genius isn’t difficult and I’ve been a closet Swiftie for many many years), I’m still awed by the words she uses. We all know words have power don’t we! Well she uses them in a way that is clever and original and unashamed. Much like a spoken word poetry, she assesses the tempo, theme and intended hit of the words. Her latest album being credited as a literal life saver, having the correct 110 beats per minute to perform CPR to.
So it’s hard to see why there is some criticism that this isn’t poetry, when it is (and surely we cannot dictate what is poetry or not!). I read that at a recent poetic conversation night that Sir David Hare told of a time he was denounced by a professor of poetry. His work was not really poetry according to the professor in a letter writte to the Financial Times. But isn’t this the joy of poetry, a poem that speaks to one person might leave another cold?
I watched with dismay as the very lovely Donna Ashworth, the best selling poet, wrote on Instagram about how a few journalists slated her work. For me, Donna was a gateway into poetry. I have read some of the greats (during my Literature degree and Masters) but they didn’t speak to me like her poems do. I could relate, feel the feelings and get comfort from the words. I’ve even given one of her books to my mum (who also enjoys the poems) and my daughter has also shown a passing interest.
On the other side, Tiktok is also helping to revive poetry for the masses, with poetry slams and spoken word poetry. Harry Baker is mesmerising in his spoken poetry and again more and more traction by the week. It’s an art form to behold and the poems are all about feelings and very down to earth subjects (I especially love his ode to Margate). His Ted Talk is also a good watch ‘A love poem for lonely prime numbers.’
So back to our beloved Tay tay, I listen to her music and enjoy the upbeat tempo but it’s the words that get me. I can relate to some of the heartache in them, as a mother it makes me want to protect her. I’m proud that my daughter is going to grow up knowing a different type of poetry that can bring her joy as well as leave her heart bruised. So you’ll see us both in a couple of weeks, belting out the words that rhyme so easily, mean so much and allow us to bond.
So let’s just call Poetry in all its forms a wonderful and joyous thing. Finding new ways to listen, watch and enjoy the written and spoken word is what it’s all about…don’t you agree?