There are a few reasons why some people in the book industry and libraries might say that “no one reads poetry”.

It could be the perceived difficulty. Many people find poetry challenging to understand. The language, structure, and themes can be complex and abstract, making it less accessible. I find these aspects invigorating like the was a marathon runner prepares for a 25k race, but maybe that’s just me.

It could be lack of exposure. Poetry isn’t always emphasized in education, so people might not be exposed to it as much as other forms of literature. I know I discovered my love—no—obsession with poetry as a child in school. I read a sonnet by Shakespeare in the third grade. It was presented separately from his encompassing works, yet I was so intrigued, excited That I begged the teachers to give me more access to Shakespeare. Mr. Lockheart had the complete Shakespeare in the back of his classroom. Instead of going to recess I would sit quietly in his room as he taught another class and read Shakespeare. I didn’t do this for too long, as I loved Shakespeare’s poetry but his gruesome plays were a bit rough for a third grade, overtly sensitive student.

I was introduced to Robert Frost, and again I became obsessed, seeking out all of his works as well. I was particularly intrigued to realize he was rejected by Americans and was not appreciated until European readers cried acclaims.

I was introduced to Emily Dickinson and again was entranced by her story, that she wanted all of her writings destroyed… and postmortem, a star was realized. I devoured the poetry of Shel Silverstein, and these became my childhood heroes.

Yet modern preferences do not fancy all forms of poetry. In today’s fast-paced world, people often prefer quick, easily digestible content. Poetry, which often requires reflection and contemplation, might not fit into this preference. I am cursed in this regard as I have such a love for words, in part inspired by the fact that Shakespeare made his own words! I love lexicon, Shakespeare and the King James Bible and The original texts on King Arthur, all of which I consumed in the third grade, where written in an English Language I could barely understand. Rather than be discouraged of the reading like most people, it gave me an insatiable hunger to master these words, to conquer language as if it was an encrypted code that must be broken, cracked open on the page to reveal all of it’s underling mysteries!

There are also common misconceptions about poetry. Some people believe that poetry is outdated or irrelevant, which can discourage them from exploring it. Often readers of poetry are the jokes in movies. Culture in America often views poetry as the nerd of the English language and media. After all, who wants to hang out with the nerd when you have the football stars, the cheerleaders, the cool kids? I do.

Competition with other media is also to blame when it comes to the public attitude towards poetry. Much like the cool kids verses the less popular clicks in highschool, with the rise of digital media, television, and the internet, poetry has to compete with many other forms of entertainment. This has led, not to poetry being dead, but perhaps confined to the sick room.