Poetry: More Than a Pretty Description

For beginning poets, it's easy to fall into the trap of just writing pretty descriptions instead of truly beautiful poetry. In this video, we talk about how you can elevate your poetry and draw more meaningful beauty out of your work.
0:00 Introduction
1:08 The Depth of Beauty
3:38 Beauty at Work
7:36 Practicing Beauty
10:08 Conclusion

[@nubslayerex]

I’m in high school so I searched on how to write poetry properly and I found your channel. I then entered a rabbit hole into your channel, and found the rest of your helpful content. I have to say that you are talented to continue making these videos, even though your channel doesn’t have many views, which I found surprising. Your channel is extremely underrated, and it has so many helpful tips about writing. Keep making videos, and thank you for your help!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks so much--I'm delighted to hear these videos have been helpful to you! Keep on writin'!

[@forfold]

Poetry has always intimidated me. That I can't write well enough or don't know enough or don't have the education specific for it. I just started a poetry "journal" yesterday though that I plan to scribble my thoughts in often as I can, as poetry.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Yessss! That's a fantastic way to go about it--make notes of the interesting things you notice throughout the day, and then turn those observations into poetry! Who needs the pressure--poetry should be natural, fun, and from the heart--way to be!

[@forfold]

thanks!! after researching a bit I guess what I’m writing is free verse confessional poetry. I went a little hard and have like 20 written so far

[@WritingwithAndrew]

@@forfold That's awesome! If only more people would go a little hard on poetry!

[@VigiliusHaufniensis]

​@@WritingwithAndrewmost wholesome channel out there, thank you Professor

[@callmeqt1269]

@@VigiliusHaufniensismay I ask how your relationship with poetry has been since your comment?

[@GrimmyPigeon]

finally someone who can actually explain depth

[@danielwilliams7161]

Like humanity itself, great art is both unique and universal.

[@atzenigor]

I find your videos hypnotizing, and even if my knowledge of English could be better and I can't understand all your words, I can't stop listening. I'm not an English native speaker, and I have much to learn. Maybe poetry is far from what I can reach, but it fascinates me, I enjoy the sound of it, and when I finally can understand it is a great pleasure. Thanks for making these videos. I hope to learn much from you.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

You're welcome--I'm glad to hear it, and I do hope you learn many useful things!

[@callmeqt1269]

I believe you can attain and excel in English poetry. I am a native speaker of English but I speak four (working on five) foreign languages, to varying degrees. I love writing poetry in other languages, but even more I love reading poetry *from* other languages to English. Often the rawness and different concepts produce striking effects. If you haven’t, and you’d like to, I encourage you to try it.

[@PoetryInStyle]

Hello! Yesterday I watched your video "How to read (and even enjoy) poetry" and I really loved it, it really inspired me. I really live this video too. I love writing poetry and I always write when I feel there is something I have to say or express about something important. I liked your example on the autumn's leaves but it's my favourite season and I wrote one poem on it, it wasn't just about the beauty of autumn but the inner silence and the sense of peace it brings about. The problem I have is that I feel like I can only write when there is something deep within that needs to get out. Recently I have been feeling uninspired and whenever I try I feel like I can't really write anything worthwhile. Your videos made me want to try more though, so thank you.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks--and you're welcome! Just keep at it! A lot of poets find inspiration in the small and everyday. Even if it isn't something world-shatteringly deep, as long as it resonates with another human, it's worth writing about

[@PoetryInStyle]

@@WritingwithAndrew You're welcome, and thank you. I think you are right, this is what makes me enjoy poetry. Thank you.

[@omorfaruqakib965]

It was really helpful and concise. And, your example of the Autumn Leave poem just made it so much more engaging and clear. I was really surprised and deeply delighted the moment you suddenly connected your overvation of fallen leaves with a fallen relationships, it is just to resonating with me!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks!

[@YourPoetryMom]

I was just looking at my analytics on KZbin, where I discovered that two people found me/were recommended one of my videos after watching THIS video by you…and thus, I discovered YOUR KZbin. Social media…what a universe! Great content- I enjoyed this video very much. 😊 Sincerely, a poet from Arkansas.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

What a delightful trip through the universe--maybe I should check my own analytics more often to see where they lead! Thanks for the kind words!

[@bernadetteyelland3969]

Andrew, i am getting so much from your videos. I would like to share them in a group that i run, for creative writing with mental health clients. Are we free to share these? Thank you for creating these - and i do appreciate that they are quick to watch!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

That sounds like a great group--and go ahead: that's what the share button is for 🙂

[@mikesmithz]

You are wise. I've been down a 8 year rabbit hole trying to find out what links Nabokov, Conor oberst and Eminem together. I've poured over their work looking for patterns. I've took so many detours and learned so many things. This channel has given me answers by giving me more questions. Thank you so much! I hope in the future you make some longer videos; I know KZbin rewards the shorter ones, but you are so knowledgeable and precise with your language. You are a great teacher that I would love to hear go more in depth in subjects. Any way, thanks again!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

That's very kind--I'm glad the video and channel are leading you in interesting directions! I'll think about some longer videos, too (maybe a summer project, though, to be honest). If there's anything in particular you'd be interested in, don't hesitate to let me know!

[@mikesmithz]

@@WritingwithAndrew I would love to see you do a video on the differences between poetry and lyrics. Videos on how to give writing a more emotional punch (beyond the "use your senses when writing"). An analysis of Nabokov's writing in Lolita. If you have time to burn then a video I would love to see is you analyze Conor Oberst's lyrics. I want to know how the magician does his tricks. As mentioned, I've poured over his lyrics looking for patterns - I really want to know how he writes like he does. To be honest though, keep doing what you are doing.

[@mikesmithz]

@@WritingwithAndrew actually, the more I think about it, the more it sounds like a good idea. I know you probably wouldn't want to lower yourself into doing this but - analyzing lyrics from a language perspective would be a good idea for a series of videos. You need to bait your hook so you can catch the KZbin algorithm. Talk about the poetic devices artists like taylor swift use in their lyrics. Rick beato has a hugely popular KZbin channel breaking down why a certain popular song is good. Rick attacks it from a musical angle, you could do the same but attack it from a lyric angle. You could even have some fun putting your dry wit to use analyzing terrible lyrics. Once the KZbin algorithm loves you, you're laughing.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

@@mikesmithz Thanks--the poetry/lyrics question is an interesting one that I've thought about in passing but give some more deliberate thought to now. I appreciate the suggestion

[@WritingwithAndrew]

@@mikesmithz Interesting--honestly, I'd be less considered with lowering myself to anything than exposing my ignorance of pop culture...but I do really like the spirit of the suggestion--I'll see what I can do!

[@kristanicole8123]

thank you so much for these videos on poetry. I'm a senior in high school who is teaching a creative writing class, and I can't wait to show these to my students! A lot of them have showed apprehension to poetry and I think your videos can help show them its beauty.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

That's very cool--I see the same apprehension in my own students all the time (but there is a cure!). Good luck with the class!

[@JeffRebornNow]

I agree with you, Andrew, that "it's a combination of the specific beautiful imagery and the deeper more resonant themes that make the poem sing." But I would go further and say that it's not so much what a poet does as how he does it. One would think that "autumn leaves" was a completely played out subject for poetry; it is decidedly and forever "old hat." Is this true, though? Consider this poem entitled "These Autumn Leaves": These autumn leaves upstage me when they blow; outrageous churns of colors cut across my sidewalk waltz left footless by their show. I haven't burst to beauty, ripened fine, as yellow's jaundice, and red's but a rash; such colors couldn't conjure looks sublime. Because language is open-ended and ever various, poets have the ability to breathe new life into dead-tired subjects. Again, you're right to say, "Our job as poets is not just to say pretty things in pretty ways." Consider this poem by Richard Brautigan entitled "Haiku Ambulance": A piece of green pepper fell off the wooden salad bowl: so what? By affixing this simple question to the imagery that precedes it, the poet seems to be dismissing the idea that barebone imagery, by itself, can ever carry the weight of the poem. The "so what" seems to be asking for, or taking notice of, something that is not there. It is up to every poet to provide this missing element and weld it to the imagery.

[@robotgeorge2896]

Wonderful and straightforward explanation of poetry! I experienced an epiphany while watching. Thank you!

[@jojojojoost3507]

Wonderful video, you are able to keep my attention and make me care about a subject I really thought was not for me. I especially liked the part where you went through the steps of creating the idea behind a poem I will keep that in mind and maybe try to write something myself.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks--I'm happy to hear that--definitely give it a shot!

[@lukemcdonald1427]

I have alwyas struggled to understand writing poetry, and you put it so simply that I am now excited to try. Thank you so much for making this video!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

You're welcome--go get 'em!

[@jeffstone5554]

Falling leaves are a very popular subject with their windswept rustlings, settling anon :D Thanks, Andrew.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

You're welcome--and thank you! Three cheers for windswept rustlings!

[@SoapMcCallister]

your videos are so simple yet such an attention catcher, i never got bored

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Hey thanks--I appreciate that!

[@vashtary5764]

Andrew, please, keep doing what you are doing! The editing, the quality of the video are awesome!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks so much--I definitely will!

[@KermRiv]

I paused this at 1:56 cause I felt inspired As precious metals slowly find thier new litter Thier excited chatter echoes, carried along the wind The smallest of creatures sing, shelter has arrived To hold the warmth of summer in thier dens Until they slowly rise to the canopy again, to hold it back One must imagine the autumn leaves happy How did i do?

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Ooh, I'm on board!

[@KermRiv]

​@WritingwithAndrew holy crap that was fast! Thank you! I've been picking up writing again, thanks to your channel. I'm mostly self taught so learning about what I'm doing on a technical level has been really helpful!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Lucky timing! And that's awesome to hear--I'm glad you're getting back into writing!

[@priyaberry751]

I agree with you. Poetry can be a whole lot story too.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks--you're exactly right!

[@felisaferreira5179]

What a good explanation! As you was speaking I remember the Mexican poet Gorostiza and his poem called Oracion. Notice how short it is and do all you said: La barca morena de un pescador, cansada de bogar, sobre la playa se puso a rezar: ¡Hazme, Señor, un puerto en las orillas de este mar! MÁS POEMAS DE JOSÉ GOROSTIZA Biblioteca Digital Ciudad

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Very cool--my Spanish isn't great (I can read it okay for the most part), but I'll have to check out more of Gorostiza's work!

[@tracyzimmerman7912]

I have been writing poetry since I was in elementary school. My first poem was called All the Shades of Green. My reference was in the variety of things in nature even to the variety in hue. My poetry centers around spiritual and natural themes. I here to describe life's meaning in the context of nature and spirituality. Poetry is more than just beauty but what does this beauty represent. It more like saying she's more than just a pretty face.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Very cool--I love hearing about first poems, and it sounds like some of our artistic priorities overlap. Thanks for sharing--and for watching!

[@duncancampbell4837]

Dammit your have resonated me in this lesson to be effective, that I feel so compelled to oblige!

[@jossxx]

thanks!

[@tokewarming]

How do you feel that paintings and poems have in comming ? Your description of poetry made me think of the way I myself define art . Great video!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks! I don't have as much experience with painting, but I am fascinated by the overlap between different kinds of art. I'd bet that there's a lot more in common than we normally think of

[@joshuaharper372]

For me the poem by Hopkins is right on the edge. I struggle to understand what some of his images actually mean (in plain English, that is--I am not looking for esoteric meaning, just real world description), but the soundscape is so compelling and the introduction and final turn are so clear that the poem as a whole is still successful, even though I wish he were maybe a touch less obscure in his descriptive language. And yet, if he had been clearer, perhaps the sound of the poem would have been less compelling?

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Hopkins does take some extra work to crack, but I'm firmly in the sound-is-enough camp. At least, I'm happy to give him a pass on obscurity since his work was only published posthumously

[@alpetterson9452]

The Red Wheelbarrow is not just a red wheelbarrow YET it is wet and sits beside the chickens. Something portentous in that wheelbarrow that it's proximity to chickens seems to be negated.

[@williamknell864]

Autumn leaves are in the process of dying, at peak beauty. Then the wind shakes them loose, rustling in the breeze. They fall to the ground. Blowing a across the lawn, down the street. Still colorful. Still rustling. Cut off from any moisture or chlorophyl once supplied by the tree. Autumn is all starvation, death and decay. For the leaf

[@Ponyjon]

I have always thought poetry and Shakespeare a huge waste of time and your video has not changed my thinking.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks for the engagement!

[@jacobeisen4643]

Mr. Bashford, I love your channel. Would you teach us how not to use the word that all the time? Thank you

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Sure--just delete it! In all seriousness, though, I know some people have an issue with the word "that," but it serves an important purpose sometimes. Perhaps just being mindful of sentence variety is a useful first step (so that it doesn't end up in every sentence!)

[@moscow580]

@@WritingwithAndrew thank you

[@kmhuque5485]

Would anyone in your audience care to comment on whether this is just pretty or more than that? A conversation between departing Summer and arriving Autumn. Autumn whispers: “I’m here, winter is nigh”. Summer: replies: “Why do you sigh? Earth awaits, hopes high. Crops sway, boughs bend With Demeter’s bounty That she has sent. Swains make merry For their barns have many. Filled to the rafter Ring to their laughter. They sing their hymn Thankful to Him. Sylvan rainbows Don their best. Clouds dance. It’s September’s fest. Why do you sigh? Winter may be nigh But spirits are high. Your gifts are many, Full of zest.”

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Autumn's a lucky one: we all could use friends like Summer 🙂

[@bernadetteyelland3969]

This is lovely. It is certainly a pretty image, and I think there is some broader meaning alluded to in there. I am no poetry expert, but my thought is that if you wanted to deepen the meaning of this poem, perhaps you might explore something about; why is autumn sighing in the first place? What made it feel like it isn't perfect exactly as it is? What are the things that cause us to doubt ourselves? -- those are some questions that came to my mind. Thank you so much for sharing and asking for feedback - it helped me also to look deeper and consider possibilities. 🧡

[@kmhuque5485]

@@bernadetteyelland3969 After months of sun and fun of spring and summer, Autumn is apprehensive that its arrival, perhaps, is less than welcome. Hence the sigh. But, Summer steps in to remind Autumn it, too, has much to celebrate. Let me give you another - this time about spring. In it I have tried to meld cultural elements from the West and India. The word "Robi" in the second line means the sun. Later, "Holi" means the Indian festival of colours which heralds the arrival of spring and our new year. When robins call in April and May When Robi's rays light up the day When spring flowers lie in display When buzzing bees come back to play When south winds rustle the leaves When maiden awakes seeking his lips When sky of blue has sails of white When herder's call is happy and bright When orange blossoms light the senses When trees have tied their green tresses When joyous Holi make us so jolly When, together, we sing of Lord's glory We know it is time to be gay and merry For thus is born our year , every year Bings every home smiles and cheers.

[@rebeccawalsh9176]

Your videos are very helpful: concise, informative, clearly developed, and often amusing! Thank you! Anyway, I'm hoping you can help me with something...I would appreciate a little clarification about two of your videos on poetry. In one you talk about how poetry is not a mystery to be solved, but rather a snapshot of a moment in time, and we (as readers) should not get too caught up in trying to decipher the so-called "hidden meanings" of the poem. Instead we should simply try to put ourselves into that moment in time in order to "feel" what the poet is describing. However, in this video, you suggest that poetry should be more than just a "pretty description" (or snapshot, if you will). You explain how poetry should provide more insight for the reader by supplying a resonant meaning (theme, perhaps?) and not just focus on a beautiful moment in time. I feel like these two videos are contradictory in their assertions. Am I missing something? Please help me understand! 🙂

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks for the kind words and for the thoughtful question! Here's what I'll say: I'd argue that the goal of reading poetry is not to find "the meaning" but that poetry should, nevertheless, still be meaningful. In that sense, it's more about immersing in the experience that poetry offers and finding those meaningful resonances--rather than a single correct answer that only the teacher knows. Readers of poetry want to find some meaning, some kind of significance, because it would be a waste of time otherwise, but it's a significance that comes from reflecting on the experience, not from uncovering a secret message. In other words, connecting with another human being and seeing the world through their eyes is meaningful--even if it can't reduced to a single abstract "meaning." Hope that helps!

[@rebeccawalsh9176]

@@WritingwithAndrew Oh yes, that definitely helps! Thank you, Andrew! I knew I was missing something...you've perfectly filled the gaps in my understanding. I certainly appreciate you taking the time to provide further explanation. I'd like to show your videos about poetry in my adult literature class, but first I had to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding your intent and reasoning. I plan to spend time discussing your ideas, but I wouldn't want to mislead my students by misinterpreting your message. I'm trying to come up with some fun and meaningful activities for them to work on with poetry, and with your videos helping to lay the groundwork of understanding, I'll be more confident they will go into the activities with open minds and a willingness to find that human connection you're talking about. One thing I'm planning is a field trip to the bird sanctuary in our city (Calgary), where there are stations along the river pathways showcasing some beautiful and highly accessible Indigenous poetry. I'm hoping the natural beauty of the landscape will inspire them while they dig into the experiences presented in each poem. Sorry for the ramble...I guess you've inspired me, and now I'm working out my plans while responding to your helpful message. Thanks again!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

@@rebeccawalsh9176 I love it! I'm glad I could help, and that sounds like an awesome plan, just the sort of place I would go to find material for a poem. I love turning my students loose to see what they can find out in the world--and they usually enjoy getting out of the classroom for a while too!

[@kittykennedyks]

My think maybe the 'redwheelbarrow' is the poet himself or anyone who is reading it cause as a human with so much baggage to carry around and still needing to move around regardless(of how many wheels the wheelbarrow have) so much depends upon him because he has a lot to finish., like his work or bringing up a family.

[@Ironfrenzy217]

To sum up, 1. Pretty/intriguing description 2. How you connect/ why it's important. Did I get that right?

[@WritingwithAndrew]

That sounds pretty fair!

[@Loctorak]

Poetry scares me. Intimidating to write. Will readers get it?

[@noone-re3zp]

Amazing video, though I wonder, how is the red wheelbarrow not more than a pretty description? Is it the line "so much depends upon"? Thank you for your videos!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

You bet! We may be in the "What's so great about that painting? My five year old could do that" territory--Williams gets away with what we cannot 😜 But, more seriously, I think that line does some important work to point us towards a contemplation of what makes that moment meaningful. Less skillful poems often get the description but then don't do much to gesture towards some deeper resonance: one time I wrote a poem with a one-word title, and somebody wrote "Okay, but what *about* it?" next to it. Yeah, there's the thing, but why should we care about the thing--why does the poet?

[@noone-re3zp]

Right, right. Thank you for your reply!@@WritingwithAndrew

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Sure thing!

[@Laocoon283]

You know your in it deep when you have meta books like "The Rhetoric of Rhetoric" lol

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Too far gone, some would say 😆

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

I prefer the Prettyverse to just the Universe

[@WritingwithAndrew]

lol

[@kaiserwilly4234]

" What have I got in my pocket?"

[@anthonyt219]

Lol I did all the things you shouldn't do in poetry which is why nobody would read them

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Oops lol--not a problem: we all have room to improve :)