I honestly can’t say that I’m a poetry reader – my TBR rarely has a collection of poems in it. I wonder why that is? Perhaps poetry makes demands on the reader that a novel doesn’t, requires a different level of attention, a deeper engagement?
As my professors used to say, discuss.
However, whenever I stumble upon a poem, I can’t help but fall under its spell. Poetry gets under my skin in a way that differs from other literature.
I do have one collection of poetry on my bookshelf. I’m a huge fan of Emily Dickinson. When I visited her home/museum in Northampton, Massachusetts last year, I signed up for the house newsletter. While following links from the newsletter, I fell down a research rabbit hole and discovered something I didn’t know about one of my favorite authors, Agatha Christie.
Agatha Christie wrote poetry. Quelle surprise!
https://www.agathachristie.com/search/results?q=poetry
Her first collection of poems, The Road of Dreams, was published at her own expense in 1925. A critic praised her “lyric gifts” but also told her that it wouldn’t sell. Since only one edition was printed, it seems that he was correct. Luckily for us, she turned her prodigious gifts to other pursuits.
Are you a poetry reader? Did you know that Agatha Christie wrote poetry? Have you discovered anything about a favorite author that surprised you?
Shari Randall is the author of the Lobster Shack Mystery series set in charming Mystic, CT. As Meri Allen, she writes the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries.
I've gone through periods where I have been interested in reading poetry -- although that hasn't happened for some time. I had no idea Agatha Christie wrote poetry.
ReplyDeleteIt's news to me, but not surprising, that Agatha Christie wrote poetry. Her prose shows such a mastery of the language and an ability to infuse it with such a subtle ability to reach into our deepest feelings.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea she wrote poetry. Very talented lady. Learn something new about people every day. Too much to report here - and some of it can't be reported.
ReplyDeleteDebra, you’ve got me intrigued!
DeleteThis is wonderful Shari! I had no idea that Christie wrote poetry. I used to read a lot of poetry, and stopped, for reasons unknown. I think it demands a different part of the brain to appreciate, and time. Lots more time than my modern world allows. It might be time to unearth some of my old poetry collections and revisit old friends.
ReplyDeleteMaybe different times or occasions in our lives call for poetry?
DeleteI did not know she wrote poetry either. A woman of many talents!
ReplyDeleteI don't read nearly enough poetry. I almost always find it inspirational and soul-touching. Thanks for giving me a nudge to get back into it.
ReplyDeleteSecond time posting. I suspect many of us flirted with writing poetry before settling into crime fiction as our genre. I certainly did, in high school and college. I did learn that every syllable counts in poetry.
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