## Introduction

# Our modern obsession with poetry is only growing

Outlining the popularity of the Instagram poet

Given the recent mainstream popularity of poets like Rupi Kaur, it’s no secret that there’s been a poetry revival over the last few years. Poems are no longer only read by aspiring writers, English majors, and souls who find refuge in words. They’re being circulated to the masses.

Now, poems are skimmed through in noisy coffee shops, comforting lines are read in moments of weakness, and an average reader can get through at least ten poems before breakfast. With many modern poems being only a few lines long, poem-reading has shifted from being a marathon to a sprint, and from a five-course meal to a quick snack.

Now, in 2020, I can open Instagram and find morsels of poetry from accounts across the world. Thanks to social media, anyone has the agency to become their own publisher, catalyzing major artistic growth and shifting power dynamics in the literary world.

Our ability to read dozens of poems at once on the internet also allows us to escape from reality without the headache of reading a piece multiple times to understand its meaning. Simplicity brings us accessibility and the instant gratification of an immediate emotional response.

The goal of these lessons is to expose you to different kinds of poetry, and to show you that they are very varied and enjoyable. We will teach you different types of poetry and their format/layout/rules. You will write your own poetry as well. Mainly, we hope you'll find that poetry isn't 'old and boring', but can be modern and joyfull as well.

(Based on: https://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2020-02-06/pop-culture/our-modern-obsession-with-poetry-is-only-growing/)

Lesson 1 - introduction