Our poetry is the
Best part of our
Struggle
And the best
Part of our struggle
Is our poetry
—Al Robles
In response to my last “Blogging About Blogging” post, Paul has commented about poetry as communication versus poetry as (self) expression. I think he has a great point here, to which I have responded that when I hear students say that poetry is expression, poetry is self-expression, what I want to know is this: expression of what? I should back up a bit and first ask, what is (an) expression?
The trusty dictionary tells me this:
Main Entry: ex·pres·sion
Pronunciation: \ik-ˈspre-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 a: an act, process, or instance of representing in a medium (as words) : utterance b (1): something that manifests, embodies, or symbolizes something else (2): a significant word or phrase (3): a mathematical or logical symbol or a meaningful combination of symbols (4): the detectable effect of a gene ; also : expressivity
2 a: a mode, means, or use of significant representation or symbolism ; especially : felicitous or vivid indication or depiction of mood or sentiment b (1): the quality or fact of being expressive (2): facial aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling
3: an act or product of pressing out
–
Self-expression then, is kind of a redundant term. Expressing yourself is self-expression.
As for communication, the trusty dictionary tells me this:
Main Entry: com·mu·ni·ca·tion
Pronunciation: \kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1: an act or instance of transmitting
2 a: information communicated b: a verbal or written message
3 a: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior [the function of pheromones in insect communication] ; also : exchange of information b: personal rapport
4 plural a: a system (as of telephones) for communicating b: a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles c: personnel engaged in communicating
5 plural but sing or plural in constr a: a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech) b: the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication)
–
So this is where I am this morning, at the risk of being tedious, just trying to work out some definitions and poetics:
Communication is directed, and entails transmission of information from one to others (readers, audience) unlike expression which does not involve or include parties other than the self.
Communication entails techniques (poetic form, poetic devices or tools, and I’ll include language choice here), and systems (live and recorded readings, print and digital publication, distribution, gift economy) by which the information is transmitted to, exchanged with others.
Communication also seems to me the basis of the poetic we: to challenge others on their assumptions of who we are and what we believe, to drop knowledge, to keep our community’s stories in the collective memory and collective consciousness, and to exercise self-determination, to declare the collective and the individual self within cultural, historical, and political contexts.
Again: “Me, We.” — Muhammad Ali.
Again: “We, Spoken Here.” — Nathaniel Mackey.
Again: “Our poetry is the / Best part of our / Struggle // And the best / Part of our struggle / Is our poetry.” —Al Robles.
“If you want to know what we are / We are revolution.” — Carlos Bulosan.
Hi Barbara,
I haven’t stopped by your blog lately (too busy writing poetry, ha!).
My take on self-expression vs. communication: Self-expression is the process of getting out ones thoughts, feelings, etc.; and communication is the process of transmission. Thus communication requires self-expression. Anything that we take in, as well as anything that evolves within ourselves, has to be expressed in order to be communicated. There is really no opposition between communication and self-expression.
However, I get the sense that your preference for emphasis on “communication” rather than self-expression has more to do with the “commun-al” root of the word. The quotes you give at the end of your post–”We spoken here”, “Our poetry…our struggle” (though they may be percieved as necessary expressions of strength-through-solidarity within the contexts that they were written) are at the same time frightening (taken out of context) in their apparent denial of individuality.
There is that fundamental conflict in our human condition–that of being both individuals, and parts of a community. What is best for a particular individual is not necessarily what is best for the group, and vice versa. Individuals who don’t fit in, or who go against the group are often forced to conform, ostracized, or sometimes even killed. Thus, although the group can provide protection, strength, sustenance, and support; it can also be confining, repressive, or even dangerous to the individual.
When your students bring up the idea of poetry as self-expression, they may only be parroting something that they’ve heard (saying what they think they’re supposed to say). On the other hand, they may be voicing a genuine desire to share ideas or feelings that they have been afraid to bring out for fear of negative consequences. And it is sometimes the voices who would be derided, or shunned that end up making the greatest contributions.
I’m sure none of these ideas are new to you, but your post made me feel a need to put them into this specific context.
Love, Brian