To me, poetry is not about complicating the narrative. Rather, it is about magnifying the message through the appropriate use of imagery and other literary devices. It is about enriching the message by adding depth to the subject matter, giving in one stroke different perspectives that speak to every reader according to their level of understanding based on their individual knowledge and experience.
A skilled poet always ensures that every word in every line earns its place, functions beyond its basic or original meaning. For instance, if he uses ‘flower’ as a metaphor for a lady, it is rarely just about beauty. It may suggest all or any of the characteristics of a flower: attractive, fragile, fragrant, fleeting, etc.
A poem is supposed to be enchanting, not unduly complex. It should describe things in a new way that captures the very essence of those things. It should make the reader think deeply and participate in the creative process.
Poetry is interactive by nature, conversing with the reader in the reader’s own language, quietly stirring thoughts and emotions.
Personally, I love poems that are simple but profound. I cherish poems that hold my attention, making me read them over and over again, discovering new meanings at every reading. I treasure poems that awaken forgotten memories, that linger long after the final line.
* Sumaila Umaisha is a Nigerian writer based in Abuja
