Reading poetry

Right now, for an asian person I have a decent handle on the english language; however, I aspire to someday be a poet. Should I invest my time reading the "classics", such as Shakespeare and Milton, or contemporary poetry, such as those published in Poetry Magazine? Thank you for taking time to reply to my question.

You shouldn't write poetry in a foreign language.

Why not?
Is it harmful in some way?

I don't plan to write any poetry write now as I'm busy studying in college, here, in the states, but I do in a few years or so. I just wanted to know if I should focus more on reading traditional poetry or contemporary poetry. By the way, thank you for the quick response.

Don`t listen to them. If you want to be a poet, do it. If you want to write in English, do it. Two of the English language`s best writers were not native to the English language. I`m thinking here of Ann Rand and Nabokov. I am sure there are more. Most native English speakers have to read Nabokov`s "Lolita" with a dictionary at hand. To answer your question, you will want to read both early and contemporary poets. You will want to know where poetry has been and where it is going. Also, you will want to write in a contemporary way if you wish to be published. I hope that answers your question. Best of luck, Cian.

Thanks Cian for the reply. I haven't read Nabokov yet, because he's a very difficult writer. I read a piece on him by Christopher Hitchens, I think, who describes him in equal status or even as a better writer than James Joyce - and I don't even dare open his bk. Ulysses until I'm proficient in english. Compared to my native language tagalog, I find english a very intuitive language, especially in regards to stress and intonation which is very very difficult i find. Does anybody know any great writers who wrote in the english language but spoke it as a second language?

Joseph Conrad (born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, 3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924) was a Polish novelist, writing in English

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Conrad


There are lots of novelists who write in English although it is their second language. I have never found Joseph Conrad to be particularly easy.


Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short story writer and screenwriter, born in Wales of Norwegian parents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Dahl

I think that you would be best starting with books written for children that have simpler language and a more direct approach.

Jacqueline Wilson

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, DBE (born 17 December 1945) is a multi award-winning English author, known for her vast and diverse work in children's literature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Wilson

Her books are very popular and large collections are available in all public libraries. She deals with difficult issues in a child friendly way.

Kidsreads.com - THE ILLUSTRATED MUM by Jacqueline Wilson

THE ILLUSTRATED MUM brilliantly portrays a family united by love but threatened by mental illness. ...

www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0385732376.asp - 22k - Cached - Similar pages


British Council

http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth03d16j381612635486

Just pick the foreign names

http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/

http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth02D2K045212627153

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Filipino_writers_in_English

Shane was asking about poets not novelists. I'd say read whatever you like. The only downside with the "classics" as you put them is that the archaic language may challenge you, but that's really a petty issue. Just read and you'll "meet" some poet you like.

Get an anthology of modern poetry, English or American, like the Oxford Anthology for example and see what you like. If you want to try older stuff, then an anthology of English poetry - and when you find a poet you like, get a few books of that person. Good luck!

Thanks for all the information.

Why bother? Just give up.