Poetically speaking, time can be compared to a continuous flow of water. Thus, time has its particular ages. The same applies to poetry. Since poetry too is alive it changes with the times and develops new ways and means of thematic and structural expression.

Suffice it to say that these days prosody hardly features in poetry. Since the last war the world has undergone drastic changes – the horizon showed a foggy future pulling mankind into the wrong direction – and poetry was no exception.

Bendetto Croce (1866-1952), Italian writer and critic, admitted to being confused by modernity because he believed that this often destroys past canons while embracing disorder, discontinuity, irrationality and the unconscious. All this approaches the sensual roots referred to by Giacomo De Benedetti (1901-1967), another Italian literary critic.

In short, nowadays the world has replaced thought as clearly shown by hermetism. Lyrical poetry breathed its last and had to make way for a new prosaic style with lines widely spared and ambiguous questions. The enigma of poe-prose was born while argumentative poetry opened its arms to a narrative language. The poetic ego, heir of the traditional lyrics, gave up its spirit. Eugenio Montale (1896-1981), an Italian poet, was right when he said: “Molta poesia d’oggi si esprime in prosa!” (A lot of today’s poetry is expressed in prose!)

Contemporary poetry has assumed a discursive form; thus the dialogic and the personal have replaced collectivity. The poet has become more free both in thought and technique. Whether all this has been beneficial for poetry is debatable. However, the most important factor is that poetry still thrives.

It could be that some feel confused about the future of this sublime art since the changes that occurred in it created certain problems regarding its true definition and worth. But poetry has never been nor shall ever be dogma. It is only a project in search of truth.

“We are living in a new era,” writes Niva Lorenzini in her book La Poesia Italiana del Novecento (Il Mulino, 1999). It is an era which promotes the corruption of misguidance and differences. Poetry is supposed to be a series of words which reflects the present state of mankind. This has been and still is its main scope. Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), British literary critic and poet, was quite right when he insisted that Poetry must interpret life!

Alfred Massa

President

Ghaqda Poeti Maltin