The Mechanics of Poetry

 

It’s true, I do not write poetry, not since I dappled in theforlorn of teen angst a few millennia past. But every writer worth their salt and pepper reads, and studies, the mechanics of poetry.  Recently, I came across a real treat in thisongoing study: Heidi Stemple’s The Poetry of Car Mechanics.

Why Should Writers Study Poetry?

Poetry Encourages Economy of Language. Poetry demands clarityand potency and the stripping away of any linguistic excess. In this way, themechanics of poetry distills complex emotions, allowing for a deeper expressionand engagement with the younger, reluctant reader.

Poetry Demands Precision. It demands the writer to move awayfrom the generic and the cliché to encourage the more creative expression thatturn cliches on their heads, and twist tired tropes into the unexpected. Young readers love surprises.

Poetry Unlocks the Power of Imagery. Poetry breathes lifeinto the abstract by using metaphor, simile, and focusing on sensory details.By focusing on these details, poetry reflects the beauty of finding theextraordinary in the ordinary.

Heidi Stemple and the Poetry of Car Mechanics

Heidi Stemple’s verse novel is an exquisite study of complicatedfamilies and self-discovery. It follows the story of 15-year-old Dylan,abandoned by his mother and now raised by his grandfather. Alone and isolatedin a small town, and feeling broken by life, he seeks solace in the woodsbehind his grandfather’s auto shop. Here, among the trees,  he writes poetry and studies birds. Then oneday, he finds an injured hawk. It’s a race against time as he seeks help for theinjured bird. And in the process, he finds his way to rescue his own brokenparts.

In celebration of the release of her book, Heidi reads someof the poetry that “Dylan” wrote.  Teachersand parents have long known that poetry is meant to be read aloud, giving voiceto experience the rhythm of the sense and sensibility of the story itself.

 In this clip, Heidireads I Am No Waxwing, in which Dylan describes himself and the other kids inschool:

 

In this clip, Heidi reads The Most Alone :

In this clip, Heidi reads Awe:

 

You can find more clips of Heidi reading Dylan's story on YouTube and on her Facebook Page. For more about her Heidi and her books, check out herwebsite: https://www.heidieystemple.com/index.html

 

You can buy Heidi Stemple’s book, The Poetry of CarMechanics, at your favorite bookstore!

Thank you for reading!  

Bobbi Miller