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Lyric Poetry Notes
Certain poems are classified as "lyric" poems because of their
highly musical qualities. In ancient Greece, poems were recited
or sung to the accompaniment of a lyre, a small stringed, harplike instrument. The word lyric is related to the word lyre.
Even today, lyrics are associated with music: The words to
songs are called lyrics.
Lyric poetry expresses the observations and feelings of a single
speaker in highly musical verse. A lyric poem may follow a
traditional form, such as a sonnet, or it may be written in free
verse--verse not written in a formal rhythmical pattern. While
reading, you will notice that a lyric poem, unlike a narrative
poem, never tells a full story. Rather, it focuses on an
experience or creates and explores a single effect.
Lyric poetry expresses vivid thoughts and feelings.
Lyric poetry always expresses some emotion, and no matter how
artful the lyric poet, he or she can't disguise that he or she is a
mere mortal, with passions, follies, enthusiasms. They are
intimate in a way that conventional public expressions are not,
which may be why many lyric poets are shy about reading their
poems except to their closest friends.
Narrative Poetry Notes
Narrative poetry is much simpler in concept. It tells a story; it
has a distinct beginning, middle, and end. A narrative poem set
to music is called a "ballad".