Genre Guide: The Differences Between Modern and Traditional Poetry
Although modern and traditional poetry are both genres that allow writers to tell stories and express emotions, their differences are nonetheless distinct. In this blog, we include poems written by Wilder Poetry and Mary Oliver, two modern and traditional nature poets with unique, strong voices, to illustrate how these genres contrast. From form and structure to voice and tone to history and distribution methods, read on to learn the ways in which modern and traditional poetry differ.
Form and structure
Because modern poetry largely originated from “Insta-poetry,” the genre is known for its shorter structure and creative use of form. When you think of traditional poetry, in contrast, long works probably come to mind.
This short-form trend is particularly evident in Wilder Poetry’s poem verses Mary Oliver’s “Summer Day.” Both poems are observational and contemplative, but Mary Oliver’s includes multiple stanzas that tell a detailed story while Wilder Poetry’s is one short sentence that still communicates depth and emotion.
Voice and tone
Voice and tone also differ between these genres. Traditional poems tend to have a more formal tone in contrast to modern poetry’s casual voice. This difference reflects modern poetry’s popularity on social media where people connect with one another quickly, briefly, and informally (i.e. comments).
This contrast can be seen in Mary Oliver and Wilder Poetry’s poems—the poets both communicate with their readers but in different ways. “Summer Day” incorporates storytelling in an ethereal, long-form way. Wilder Poetry’s poem, however, is a more brief, poetic musing with simple but effective, poignant words.
History and distribution methods
Throughout history, people accessed traditional poetry mostly through live performances or published works. However, since social media’s cultural proliferation, which has greatly influenced modern poetry, poets can now easily share their writing with a wide audience. Furthermore, modern poets often include visual media, such as illustrations or photographs or even videos to further tell a poem’s story, build their brand, and pull in readers.
“Summer Day” by Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Excerpt from Nocturnal by Wilder Poetry
i haven’t met a cloud
that didn’t touch me—
changing shapes in the wind;
not because we asked her to be different, but
because the wild showed her
it was okay to be free.
Remember, the differences explored in this blog aren’t always true—genres are varied, dynamic, and ever-changing. However, especially if you’re a poet, it’s important to understand general differences as you develop your own voice.
Are there any differences we missed? Let us know in the comments! For even more educational content about genres, check out our blog on the evolution of poetry on social media.
