How many people actually like to read poetry?

[ZLS Publishing, LLC]

The other day I was meeting with members of my marketing team to discuss a poetry contest we are currently planning. When trying to figure out what sort of submissions we would be accepting, someone brought up the point that they do not want to read poetry submissions and stated, "Why would I want to read someone elses's when I write my own?"
Interesting to say the least.
While we have decided what sort of submissions we will accept, it brings up an interesting discussion-How many of you like to read poetry and if not-Why not?

[Lady Flava of Flava News]

As a book reviewer and one that loves poetry...I love to read it. Poetry is just another art form of telling a story. In the years that I have been involved in the literary community and in the open mic community...there are so many different styles of poetry and spoken word. Of course there are styles that I appreciate more over others but it in the end is an art form and one of self-expression and storytelling.

Now as far as a contest. That could be hard because there is such a variety of poetry that I would feel you need to have categories.

Just my thoughts...

Lady Flava

[Jill]

EXCELLENT question Oh My shallow minds:( I enjoy reading just as much as writing .It enriches my mind and is food for the soul:)In my humble opinion.

Poetry is artistic writing which reflects life.

PEACE LOVE & CONTINUAL BLESSINGS Jill

p.s. I am Owner of The #1 Artist /Poetry Group on

THE ARTIST LOUNGE
http://groups.blackplanet.com/theartistlounge

Feel free to join & post your questions,inquires etc...

[Kicky Valentine]

Actually I always feel like why would anyone wana read my work? I got back into writing last year after my wife found all my work in the closet a yelled at me for "wasting my talents".

[GREATESTPOETALIVE]

I LIKE TO READ POETRY BECAUSE IT HELPS MY OWN CREATIVITY, INSIGHT, AND OBJECTIVITY. I DIDN'T READ POETRY BY OTHER PEOPLE BEFORE BECAUSE OF MY OWN EGOMANIACAL WAYS. BUT I REALIZE THAT EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY IN THEIR OWN WAY, SO WHY NOT LISTEN TO THEM?BEING WHO I AM AS A POET, I REALIZE THAT IN ITS SUBJECTIVITY, POETRY IS TRULY OBJECTIVE, NO MATTER WHO PENS OR SPEAKS IT. LOEP!!!

[sis.slaine]

i live to see it proformed live or too music

[Robert T Sells]

I love to read others' poetry. I think it keeps your mind open to the different types of expression. I agree with Lady Flava in that there are types I prefer over others. But in the end it is someone releasing what is inside of them in artistic form. I have to respect that.

I do have one question? If someone wouldn't be willing to read anyone else's because they write their own then why should they expect someone to read theirs? Hmmmm...

[Jessica LaGuerre]

I, for one, love reading poetry. Especially during times when I am not writing (I take breaks to rest my mind and enjoy what's going on around me.) I can't read others' poetry while I'm writing, though, it saps my creativity. I find it hard to think beyond "what a good poem so-n-so wrote". The next thing you know, a whole day has gone by and I haven't accomplished a thing.

[ZLS Publishing, LLC]

Wow! Interesting! It's refreshing to see all the people who love to read other peoples poetry. As a poet myself, I will say that I enjoy both. I enjoy reading it as well as hearing it. I will definitely pass these comments onto the individual who thought that people wouldn't like to read other people's poetry.
When answering the question-Why would I want to read someone else's poetry, it's the same question one asks about a book-Why would anyone want to read someone else's book? The answer to that you have all answered-To learn, to be enlightened, to distract, to inspire.
One must be able to answer these questions when marketing their book out. If you have a book that can't do any of these things then you should revamp your marketing or rewrite your book.
Thank you all for your responses!

ZLS Publishing, LLC

[K. L. Belvin]

As a poet I would rather hear the poetry performed. I am not one to read poetry. However when I hear a particular person perform I might go and read and purchase their work.
I think is today's society poetry is not catered too the way other genres are, so poetry don't have the readership it should. Poetry is taught in school and written in colleges but once you come out in the world it's not respected for the beauty it truly is.
With all the open mics and shows that go on around the country poetry should have a greater respect. One thing I have seen is the division within the genre itself. Many seem to think if its not a Def Jam or Slam style piece is has no value and then on the other side so called traditional readers and writers of poetry don't want to respect works that don't resemble the so called greats. The men and women of European connections and roots. This bias removes the greats from other countries and color.
As I said, I write but I am not the biggest fan on reading. But that is not limited to just poetry, I am that way with reading in general. As an auditory learner I need to hear to gain the full effect of a piece or a writer.

Auditory Learners:

learn through listening...

They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

[Flore Nzoghe]

Well yes I can understand what that person means, especially being black, we tend to find that a little sissyfied and would rather read it in private than in public. The thing with poetry its like art (painted form) its is subjective rather than objective and comes from the heart of the writer!

I have read many poets, from shakespeare's sonnets, to John Betjeman to Black rage and I must say that even though I may enjoy my private moments reading and reflecting on that form of writing,....personally as a black Woman I would cringe if my partner was to read anything of the sort especially in public,(ow! tacky & soppy) and I most certainly would not encourage my future husband to write his own wedding vows as .................that would be just too much...

If you get my drift, poetry can make the speaker feel vulnerable and the receiver uncomfortable........(but I am in stitches replying to this though) lol..........ahahahah (cute)

[Chenyelu Bomani]

Poetry...
I enjoy reading / listening to poetry for various reasons but primarily because it boils down to the fact that the results of written / spoken word is always of a personal nature. Related to it's writer it is ones' attempt to understand the self or the surrounding world via composition. As an artform because of it's "worldliness", via expression and form. Poetry has the ability to stand in autonomy...in definition of something and will often explore the human condition.
By the writer / reader / listener the questions are always being asked about what is written / spoken and why.
Metaphorically, some see a glass as only a glass while others see it as a vessel.

[Toochukwu T.C. Anyachonkeya]

I like reading my own poetry but listening to others...
http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=63084

Spoken Word is more powerful because of the emotional delivery but reading it can be thought provoking so everyone read my book!