Culturally specific poetry

Observations on poetry in the WritersCafe, or a poem written around the phrase "culturally specific poetry", which kept coming into my head.

Culturally specific poetry,

Differences abound.

Spelling, syntax and success

Politics, beliefs and moral ground.

Culturally specific poetry,

Some rooted in times past.

Wordsworth, Wilde and William

Some styled on Shakespeare’s last.

Culturally specific poetry,

Some references I can't see.

Wrestle, wrangle and research 

Still they remain all Greek to me.

Culturally specific poetry,

But universal themes.

Love, lust, loss and landscapes

And the secret place of dreams.

Reviews

[Thomas]

Well said. The themes are universal to the human condition. Culture provides the lens through which poems are both composed and read. Different cultures make for different perspectives on the same truths, but none are any less valid for their differences. A fine poem.

[barleygirl]

When I first started reviewing here, I started out trying to make corrections, as some reviewers do, but there are too many different ways of expressing oneself & "rules" are only relatable to the culture in which they reside. There are other "cultures" beside the more classic examples you provide in your poem. There's also the distinct difference in the way older people write, as compared to younger people, which can be a sticking point with some, as they believe "their way" is better. Your conclusion is the one we all need to get to -- give more attention to what a writer is saying! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[T.S. Ulmus]

One cannot help but to reflect their culture, that the themes remain so familiar throughout all time and place is a beautiful expression of the oneness of humanity.

[Chris Shaw]

Universal themes are what interest me most when reading poetry. I guess culturally specific poetry can be interesting but may not be relatable oruferstabdabke.. I guess that wouldn't matter to some. Love and loss is perfectly relatable and is timeless. Like your thoughts here.

Chris

[Pete]

those guys are all dead but good poetry can touch forever. i suppose that there is a culture to it but we need not conform to it. if you write it from what is inside of you, they will come no matter. remember that frost, "took the road less traveled and that made all the difference" ... :)