Idyllic Poetry

Idyllic Poetry

An idyll (idyl) is defined as poetry that either depicts a peaceful, idealized natural country scene (an idyllic scene) or any charming, simplistic pastoral event (idyllic life). It has also come to be applied to a poem telling a story about heroes of a bygone age or era (heroes of an idyllic era). The main point of the idyl is to paint a vivid image of a charming, serene, and beautiful setting or time, whether about the setting itself or a hero within the setting.

The Greek poet Theocritus wrote ten famous idyls. Since they largely dealt with rural scenes, the term idyl came to be applied to gently flowing, artistic pieces on rural or pastoral subjects. Lord Alfred Tennyson, in the nineteenth century, wrote idyllic poetry in his Idylls of the King, which were more akin to the original, looser sense of the term idyl in describing any ideal natural setting.

So there is a whole arm of idyllic poetry that has come to be known also as pastoral poetry. Yet idyllic poetry in all its fullness is not restricted only to pastoral scenes, but any idealistic natural settings or descriptions of characters and heroes with an emphasis on their setting or landscape.

Again, the main point of the idyl is to paint a vivid image of a charming, serene, and beautiful setting or time, whether the setting itself is emphasized or a character or hero is emphasized within the setting.

CHALLENGE: Write idyllic poetry of any style, emphasizing a charming, serene and beautiful setting or time, or a character (hero) within the idyllic setting or time.

Any style or length will do. The point of an idyl is in the content, not the chosen style or form. So, if you choose a Haiku, you would have an Idyllic Haiku. If you choose a sonnet, you would have an idyllic sonnet, and on. You can also do free verse or free form idyllic poetry.

Let's enjoy a time filled

with the celebration of beautiful,

charming, idyllic and pastoral

scenes and characters.

Write on.

NavWorks Press

presents

Between Life and Language:
Pride In Poetry Volume I

A gripping anthology featuring many of your favorite MySpace Poets as well as other online and conventional poets.

Chosen by NavWorks Press for their clarity, readability, impact and pleasure, the 107 selected poems by 76 different poets fall into such categories as culture, life experience, world experience, philosophy, spirituality, nature, youth, abstractions, love and relationships, writing and poetry, and more. We know you will enjoy the diversity of topics, forms, styles and voices in this appealing anthology.

For a list of poets featured in the volume, CLICK HERE

Click on the book cover below to find out more about this exciting volume and for ordering information.