The Mechanics of Poetry

 

It’s true, I do not write poetry, not since I dappled in the forlorn 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 this ongoing study: Heidi Stemple’s The Poetry of Car Mechanics.

Why Should Writers Study Poetry?

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

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

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

Heidi Stemple and the Poetry of Car Mechanics

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

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

 In this clip, Heidi reads I Am No Waxwing, in which Dylan describes himself and the other kids in school:

 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 her website: https://www.heidieystemple.com/index.html

 

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

Thank you for reading!  

Bobbi Miller