Poetry and the Poem that made me realize I was Ignorant

Let me start by saying I was once someone who hated poetry, I couldn't stand the idea of it. I thought it was something teenage girls did after their boyfriends broke up with them. Strangely enough, I hated it for no other reason than the fact that I wasn't very educated on it. In college, I read a poem that literally changed my thoughts on the whole topic. This is the poem.

Luke Havergal
BY EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON
Go to the western gate, Luke Havergal,
There where the vines cling crimson on the wall,
And in the twilight wait for what will come.
The leaves will whisper there of her, and some,
Like flying words, will strike you as they fall;
But go, and if you listen she will call.
Go to the western gate, Luke Havergal—
Luke Havergal.

No, there is not a dawn in eastern skies
To rift the fiery night that’s in your eyes;
But there, where western glooms are gathering,
The dark will end the dark, if anything:
God slays Himself with every leaf that flies,
And hell is more than half of paradise.
No, there is not a dawn in eastern skies—
In eastern skies.

Out of a grave I come to tell you this,
Out of a grave I come to quench the kiss
That flames upon your forehead with a glow
That blinds you to the way that you must go.
Yes, there is yet one way to where she is,
Bitter, but one that faith may never miss.
Out of a grave I come to tell you this—
To tell you this.

There is the western gate, Luke Havergal,
There are the crimson leaves upon the wall.
Go, for the winds are tearing them away,—
Nor think to riddle the dead words they say,
Nor any more to feel them as they fall;
But go, and if you trust her she will call.
There is the western gate, Luke Havergal—
Luke Havergal.

This poem screamed at me, made me think about love and death in a whole different light. Made me see the imagery that can be portrayed through poetry. Made me see the dark and the light in the meanings of words. It literally changed how I viewed not only poetry, but how I would read any book or article from that day forward. Does anyone have any poems that they felt so connected to that it changed the way they read and view things and that you read over and over again?

a reply to: AbstractDreamz

I write poetry as responses constantly these days.
Mine is not as good as that just yet.
It's the same as writing music lyrics,
especially hip hop.

That was a good one.

In light of my recent experiences I have to say.
That poem has a point. A point so pointed,
it almost hurts.

Not in a bad way. It hurts yummy goodness.
Your avatar change.
VERY fitting.
I'm scared.
I'm confused.
But I'm strangely happy.
I'm alive, more than life.

a reply to: Reverbs

Agreed on the hurt of the poem. It makes you feel the sadness. I've often heard of poetry being related to lyrics and think that is a very valid and good comparison.

And edit for TY on Avatar.

a reply to: AbstractDreamz

Here are a couple that you might like. They might get you hooked.

a reply to: AbstractDreamz

This song is a great example of poetry in music..

It's light and dark.
It's true in that way.

You might like it.
I love it.

a reply to: Reverbs

Definitely good, we had a lot of Dylan in our class, while I don't always agree with what he says, his music is a great example of poetry in music as well.

a reply to: AbstractDreamz

A poem that got me over being intimidated by poetry is Ars Poetica by Archibald Macleisch.

Www.poetyfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poem/6371