Poetry Defined: A Divine Mystery and a Focus on Language Itself
Saint John of the Cross, a revered poet, described poetry as "a certain something that remains stammering." This poetic definition emphasizes the ineffable and profound nature of poetic expression, suggesting it transcends simple articulation. It hints at a divine inspiration or a deep emotional state that struggles to find perfect form in words. The phrase "un no sé qué" translates to "I don't know what," highlighting the elusive and mysterious quality of poetic insight. This perspective positions poetry not merely as craft but as a spiritual or deeply personal experience that leaves the artist in a state of ongoing contemplation.
Linguist Roman Jakobson offered a more structural definition, viewing poetry as "the language that attends to the palpable aspect of the signs." Jakobson's perspective focuses on the materiality of language itself, emphasizing how poetry draws attention to the sounds, rhythms, and visual forms of words. This approach suggests that poetry's power lies in its ability to make us aware of the signifiers—the words themselves—rather than solely focusing on the signified, the meaning they convey. It highlights the self-referential and formal qualities that distinguish poetic language from everyday communication.
The juxtaposition of these two definitions reveals a fundamental tension in understanding poetry. Saint John of the Cross's mystical view emphasizes the ineffable, the divine spark that cannot be fully captured by language, suggesting poetry is an expression of something beyond the rational. Conversely, Roman Jakobson's structuralist approach grounds poetry in the tangible elements of language—the sounds, rhythms, and forms—making it an object of linguistic analysis. This contrast prompts reflection on whether poetry's essence lies in its transcendental potential or its formal construction. In the context of an increasingly data-driven world, understanding both the 'stammering' mystery and the 'palpable aspect' of language becomes crucial for appreciating and developing humanistic expression alongside technological advancement.
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