嘉越．飛越

Following is a four-part mini-series meant to accompany you in delving into the world of poetry. It is only fitting that the first book covers the fundamentals. How to Read Poetry Like a Professor: A Quippy and Sonorous Guide to Verse is the perfect choice. While this book may not look as fancy as the other three, hey, don’t judge a book by its cover—it’s truly a gem, if not more!

We understand poetry may seem intimidating. However, don't shy away just yet. As the author would assure you, do not get intimidated by the mere sight of the word “poetry”. Why? You may ask. Because even native English speakers who teach the language often find it challenging too. Behind the word “poetry” lies a whole new world waiting for you to explore—a world where the full spectrum of human emotions can be distilled into a few powerful lines.

Unlike many other poetry 101 books, this one does not take a top-down, condescending textbook approach. Instead, the author presents poetry in a relaxed and yet engaging manner, using various poems as examples to make sure you stay interested throughout the whole journey.

“Forget Greek; think music. With a little arithmetic. Find the beat, then count it off.”

One of the most challenging aspects of learning poetry is navigating its various forms and structures. Do iambs have to stick to pentameter? What exactly is a trochee? Do terms like rhyme schemes, rhythm and metre give you headaches? Well, not for long! The author guides you through these concepts step by step. For instance, let’s take a sneak peek at how the book explores Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 73” to explain the concept of metre:

That time of year thou may’st in me behold

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

Bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.

“And the meter here is iambic pentameter. Five of those little ‘da-DUM’ iambs laid end to end to make a line…with syllables 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 stressed.” Some of you might notice irregularities in the last line of the excerpt above. You’re right—and that’s exactly what the author wants to highlight and explain: ‘Meter isn’t law; it’s framework.’

“Poetry uses language to take us to a place beyond language… it is the place where one soul meets with another.”

If learning to read poetry is an epic journey into the realms of the unknown, like Dante’s traversal through hell, then this book surely is your Virgil (and certainly not a boring one). Just like Virgil, it not only guides you through the Inferno but also shows you the path to Paradise. All you need to do is, take the first step, read the book, and it will guide you through the rest.