A (Short) History of Poetry

Since April is National Poetry Month, I thought it’d be fun to celebrate with a collection of articles that explore the form in more detail.

And what better way to begin than at the beginning?

Where Poetry Began

Poetry is an art form that predates literature. Before the ability to write, humans passed down traditions, laws, geaneologies, stories, moral lessons, and more by reciting or singing poems.

Poetry made the information easier to digest, remember, and pass on thanks to the rhythms and rhymes used. Plus, it was also a form of entertainment, and I can imagine groups of people gathered around a poet after a long day’s work ready to listen to the latest story.

When Poetry Evolved

After the invention of written language (around 3000 BC in Mesopotamia), poetry evolved into something more than an oral tradition. Now, poems could be written onto clay tablets and preserved for generations to come without the need for memorization.

That also meant that poems could become more complex, straying away from simpler forms and able to hold more details of a story, lesson, or law- and that solidified the idea that poetry was an integral part of society.

The oldest written poem we have today is the Epic of Gilgamesh, which was written in Mesopotamia around 2100–1200 BCE. It’s an epic poem about the King of Gilgamesh and his adventures, and it’s a fantastic glimpse into the early written poetry of our ancestors.

Poetry Through the Ages

Since then, the art of poetry has rapidly evolved and seeped into nearly every culture in the world.

Here are some of the most notable names that you should know and a brief description of why they’re important.

Homer (8th century-unknown)- composed the Illiad (522 BCE) and the Oddessy (8th or 7th century BC), which became Greek cannon and continues to shape literature and pop culture today.
Sappho (620 BCE- 550 BCE)- one of the greatest lyrical poets of antiquity. Often called “The Poetess” or “The Tenth Muse,” her poems are inspiring and full of love and female sexuality.
Virgil (70 BC-19 BC)- author of the Aeneid, which became Rome’s national epic. He also inspired numerous other poets, including Dante and Chaucer, and is widely regarded as the most famous poet in Rome.
Ovid (43 BC- 17/18 BC)- Roman poet who wrote the Metamorphoses, a a 15-book catalogue about transformations in Greek and Roman mythology that still influences works today.
Kalidasa (unknown)- Ancient India’s most prominent poet and playwright. His works became an archetype of all Sanskrit literature that came after him. Was also rumored to be blessed by the goddess Kali, hence his name (Kali-Dasa, or “servant of goddess Kali”).
Li Bai (701 AD- 762 AD)- Chinese poet who wrote about his life. He used clear imagery and a coonversational tone, which ended up influencing a number of 20th-century poets, including Ezra Pound and James Wright.
Gillebríghde Albanach (1200-1230)- Scottish poet who perfected the panegyric (or “praise) poem. He also went on crusades and wrote poems about his experiences there.
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)- Italian poet and author of The Divine Comedy. Helped establish Italian literature is and considered one of Italy’s national poets.
Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400)- author of the Canterbury Tales, he’s often called the “father of English Literature” or “The father of English Poetry.”
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)- Britian’s foremost poet and playwright. Often called the “Bard of Avon,” or simply “The Bard,” his works continue to be widely used and studied.
Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694)- Japanese poet and master of the haikai no renga form. Later, he was known as the father of the Haiku, and used moments of his life to create poems that are still in use today.
Robert Burns (1759–1796)- Scottish poet and pioneer of the Romanticism movement. Widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland.
Vasile Alecsandri (1821-1890)- Romanian poet who’s ballads became the cornerstone of the emerging Romanian identity. Known as one of the most important Romanian writers of the late 19th century.

The 1800s and beyond produced so many notable poets that I couldn’t possibly list them all. However, here are a few of my personal favorites to help you continue your poetical journey through time.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849)- Author of “The Raven” and widely regarded as the father of gothic poetry.
Emily Dickenson (1830–1886)- American poet known for her simple, yet groundbeaking verses about nature and mortality.
Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)- English poet and author of “The Goblin Market.”
Robert Frost (1874–1963)- One of the greatest American poets, he won four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry, a .Congressional Gold Medal, and two Poet Laureate nominations (one for the US, one for Vermont).
Odgen Nash (1902-1971)- American poet known for his comedic and satirical verse.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906–2001)- American poet and avaiator. Author of “The Unicorn” and other beautiful verses.
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000)- African-American poet who won a Pulitzer for her work. Her poems often depicted celebrations and struggles within her community.
Shel Silverstein (1930–1999)- American poet known for his children’s poems and fun rhymes. His work appeals to all ages.

Again, these are just a few of the many notable people who’ve helped influence and change the poetry scene with their usage of imagry, emotion, form, language, and social commentary. Many, if not all, are still discussed and studied today.

The Future of Poetry

Poetry is more than words on paper. It’s a living, breathing art that changes and evolves as time goes on. For some, it’s an act of comfort and release. For others, it’s rebellion and rage. For many, it’s a way to provide commentary on the world around us.

No matter how you use poetry, it’s clear that, since it has a rich past full of creativity and purpose, the future of this ancient art form is going to be incredible.

And I can’t wait to be a part of it!