Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin  Remember to read aloud. Poetry is about the sound of the words. So you should hear them when you read them. This is doubly true of older poety (i.e. Psalms), remember that "silent reading" is a very recent innovation. |
Unfortunately my voice (I am still accused of sounding like a child: I can't sing and I can't do dramatic reading) ruins the sound. I have to read them aloud in my head.
I think it's important to read what you like. You'll like more the more you read; whereas if you try to make yourself appreciate something you don't, you might like less the more you read. You can get a collection book and skim through and find out what you want to read more of. Christina Rossetti is a Christian poet you may like: her pieces are very rewarding in their Christian thought, and very rhythmic and beautiful. One of my favorites:
None other Lamb, none other Name,
None other Hope in heaven or earth or sea,
None other Hiding-place from guilt and shame,
None beside Thee.
My faith burns low, my hope burns low,
Only my heart’s desire cries out in me
By the deep thunder of its want and woe,
Cries out to Thee.
Lord, Thou art Life tho I be dead,
Love’s Fire Thou art however cold I be:
Nor heaven have I, nor place to lay my head,
Nor home, but Thee.
(P.S. In case you're interested
here's a website that has more information about Rossetti. Her brother Dante Gabriel was also a superb poet.)