Why I Do Not Identify as a Poet (Even Though I Write)

(For more on the subject, please read this)

(Philosocom Writing Directory)

Poetry is probably the easiest form of writing, to the point that anyone with the ability and minimal energy to write, can write a poem. That is whether or not that poem will be received positively or negatively.

A poem is simply a song that doesn't necessarily need to have music attached to it in order to be one. In addition, you don't have to learn poetry in order to be a good poet or a well-received one.

The whole thing is so easy, that it can take you a few minutes to do so, and even do so successfully, below a hundred words.

Not much expertise, therefore, is needed in order to be a poet. The most basic traits in order to be one are two: be able to write, and have a sense of pacing.

Unlike rap, which is a more advanced type of poetry, you don't even have to rhyme your poems constantly, if at all, in order for them to be written beautifully. Whatever is considered beautiful falls on the reader's subjective experience of the poem.

It's similar to philosophy in a sense that everyone can write poetry as everyone with literal capacity can philosophize, whether they write their contemplations or not.

However, since philosophy is mostly more complex, it's usually harder to be a philosopher than to be a poet.

In other words, everyone can become a philosopher nowadays, but it is far easier to become a poet than a philosopher.

Personally, I feel that there have been a greater sense of accomplishment to me whenever I write an article, than a poem. Writing philosophy takes more effort. Far more effort.

When I realized that I'm not that special in my role, even if I have much to say, I still decided to identify myself as a philosopher because it requires far more effort than being a poet.

If there is nothing really grand in being a poet when anyone can be a poet, then the value of being a poet is reduced compared to being a philosopher. It is the actual effort being invested that determines the value of the role.

I am still aware, however, that there is a certain proficiency needed to write a good poem, but regardless, as a writer, I can testify from my own experience that this proficiency can be mastered quite easily with enough practice.

It's why I find it relatively pretentious to be very pompous about this whole field in writing; to use unnecessarily-rich expressions, unnecessarily-rich metaphors and so on. What need is there in such excessive descriptions when it is so easy, in this day and age, to describe things in a way that will make the average person understand it as well as a more educated one?

Simply because poetry is so simple,

As it is like writing these very words,

Words that most of humanity

Can read and write,

With little difficulty,

It is why I do not identify

As a poet,

Regardless if I am, or not,

Objectively,

In the world beyond,

My thoughts.