Why is it that we prefer to read a few pages long text rather than a short poem?

We live in an era where our screen time is measured in hours, when our attention span is limited to a few seconds and when we are generally more attached to the screen than to our loved ones.

When it comes to reading, we often prefer a few pages of text to reading a short poetry.

What reading does

As we read, there is a voice inside our head, which spells out the words in the text inside our head. The thing is, that voice is there if we read or not. However, if we are not reading the voice may often sound like a negative self talk. While we read a written word, either on the screen or in a paper book, it gives us an opportunity to supplement our own self-talk with an alternative material.

What makes poetry such an outsider to our reading time

Let’s postulate here that poetry is hard to read. Is that true?
The hardest part of a poem are the gaps that the reader has to fill.

Poetry offers a helping hand on a journey within one’s mind. That being the mind of the poet, as well as the mind of the reader. There are, of course, different types of poetry, and each poem reflects the state of mind of the poet as they composed the words together.

Poetry is usually succinct. As much as possible is written in the least number of words. The words that are written in a short poem are very carefully selected for their value and combined with the other words to deliver a punchline, or to evoke specific feelings.

Now, the reason we may pass by poetry is that while it does deliver, it first needs our direct involvement. It requires us to feel. To let memories flow freely. The reader becomes part of the poem.

And that can be an unnerving and challenging experience for many of us. To feel, means, to let flow the stuff that is below the surface. That is often subconscious. That is carefully pushed down and protected from being felt.

While most media we generally follow mainly hypnotize and numb our minds into stupor and inactivity, poetry, as if magically, does the very opposite.

However, it may bring up more than our conscious mind wants to digest.

So, are you ready to lift the veil and unlock the secrets of your unconscious mind?
Just beware that the ride may not be what you expect, though it surely will be transformative.