There is a wide difference between writing poetry and writing about poetry. Writing poetry is an art form and it requires you to be vulnerable where when you write about poetry you have to think about perspective and the meaning behind someone else’s words. When you write poetry you tell a story and create something to be analyzed. When you write about poetry you analyze a story and walk alongside the characters asking them questions. I think like many art forms of writing you need practice in the craft to turn around and analyze. When you write poetry and put yourself in the shoes of the author it is easier to travel through the writing of someone else. Especially when it comes to poetry which leaves room for so much interpretation you need to be the author to understand the difference between the author's intent and impact. I have learned from the experience of writing poetry and writing about poetry that the author’s impact is different than the author’s intent when it comes to the final product of poetry. Knowing this I have been able to turn to my students and show them that since the impact of their writing is going to be different than their intent they should write for themselves. I have made it a point to teach my students that their words matter and they can impact change. This has given my students the unneeded permission to be free in their writing. This then becomes full circle because it allows them to have a new perspective for writing poetry and writing about poetry.
