We read poetry for many reasons. Chief of these should be pleasure. Too often however, it is not.

One of the differences between the way we think of music and the way we think of poetry is rooted in this idea of pleasure. Music is often presented as something to be appreciated and enjoyed. Where as Poetry is usually presented as something to be understood and deciphered.

This is why so many people listen to and enjoy music and why so few people read and enjoy poetry.

To quote Philip Larkin (who, like almost all poets, is quite quotable in his prose as well as in his verse ): “First and foremost, writing poems should be a pleasure. So should reading them, by God.”

Poetry is about pleasure. It is why we first loved saying nursery rhymes and reading Dr. Seuss. It is why lines of rhyme and poetry come so often into our heads. And it is why those of us who do write poetry, write it.

Pleasure is at the root of why and how poetry is reviewed here at ClimbingSky.

Here is a small poem by Philip Larkin. Enjoy!