10 Facts About Poems That Might Inspire You to Write Your Own

Poems have fascinated people for centuries, and we at the AVBOB Poetry Project have turned this passion for poetry into a competition that changes lives. Our contest showcases the talent of professional writers and budding poets alike; if you’re seeking some inspiration to get started on your piece, we have some interesting poetry facts that might spark your creativity.

1. Poems Can Be a Source of Comfort and Peace
   Much like music or the visual arts, poetry evokes a strong sense of emotion. It can tell stories, describe events, or create descriptive imagery for concepts that humans struggle to express. We see themes like love, loss, and even death present in countless forms of poetry. For those in need of consoling or a sense that their feelings are understood, poetry is an outstanding art form.


2. Poetry May Be the Oldest Form of Literature
   The Sumerian civilization of ancient Mesopotamia is considered the oldest, with literature appearing in this society around 3 400 BCE. The Epic of Gilgamesh, a fictional story and mythic poem about a Sumerian king named Gilgamesh, is considered history’s oldest form of literature.
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4. The World’s Oldest Love Poem Dates Back to 2 000 BCE“The Love Song for Shu-Sin” is another “poem” written thousands of years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. It was first discovered in the 19th century by archaeologists and was found to be used for sacred rites of fertility performed annually in which the king of the time would symbolically marry the goddess of love, Inanna.


5. World Poetry Day is on 21 March Each YearThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first established 21 March as “World Poetry Day” in 1999. This day is now celebrated annually to recognise and support linguistic diversity while providing a platform for speakers and writers of endangered languages. It’s about reviving certain art forms, honouring poets, and promoting a love for the written language.


6. Metrophobia is the Fear of PoetryWhile some people may avoid poetry because they feel they don’t understand it, there are others who avoid it as a real phobia. Metrophobia is the fear of poetry that causes such severe anxiety, it can lead to avoidance behaviours and even panic attacks. Metromania, on the other hand, is considered an obsessive enthusiasm, or “mania” for writing poems.


7. Poetry Can Help You Become a Better WriterPoetry is an exploration of creative ways to use language to express thoughts, feelings, things, and abstract concepts. It uses literary devices such as metaphors, personification, and allusions to convey a message, and involves out-of-the-box thinking that can help anyone become a better writer overall.


8. The Longest Epic Poem Contains About 1,8 Million WordsThe longest epic poem to exist is the Mahabharata. It’s an ancient Indian Sanskrit piece that details a conflict between two princes that results in a war. The “Mahabharata” contains about 200 000 verses, 1,8 million words, and is organised into 18 books.


9. There Are More than 50 Types of PoemsMany of us learned about certain forms of poems in school, such as:
   • Sonnets
   • Haikus
   • Free verse poems
   • Elegies
   • Limericks
   
   While these are rather popular formats, there are over 50 types of poetry in existence today – some of which are particularly difficult to write! If you are keen on challenging your skill as a writer, it may be worth it to try your hand at penning some of these kinds of poems.


10. Poetry Can Be Found EverywherePoetry is much more present in our modern lives than people realise. We find it in song lyrics, hymns and sacred prayers, advertisements and catchy marketing songs, sacred rites and religious chants, children’s nursery rhymes and lullabies, and all across literature. If you happen to look for it, you will find poetry everywhere.


11. The AVBOB Poetry Project is a Massive Platform for South African PoetsThe AVBOB Poetry Project is all about saying what needs to be said. Our vast library includes thousands of poems from South African writers in all 11 official languages. By giving freedom of expression to poets in South Africa, we aim to rejuvenate interest and passion in this beautiful form of art.

The AVBOB Poetry Project is an example of where to find an excellent poetry contest and you will see a plethora of beautiful poems in many languages from previous competitions over the years on our website. Perhaps you may even find inspiration for your own creation from the various themes around celebrating life, bereavement eulogies, and poems of future hopes. Be brave and good luck!