Which Poet inspire you to write poetry,(and I will count songwriters,since I didn't grow up reading poetry?)

My parents read poems to my siblings and me from the time we were babies. I remember a Mother Goose Book and then the Child's Garden of Verse. These pieces and their illustrations evoke powerful memories. The language was like music read by a beloved parent. The pictures brought the words to life. My parents showed us the connections between poetry and song lyrics: I remember listening to the music of John Lennon or Bob Dyaln and talking about the lyrics and the connection between music and lyrics. I went to a wonderful highschool where poetry was an integral part of the curriculum. I came to love the work of Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay as I grew older. I just love it all now.

Hi @Bendy Nguyen

Great thread! Being British we were smothered with Shakespeare throughout our educational system. As an actor we were/are constantly putting on his plays as you can imagine. I no longer do acting and dedicate myself to my words instead these days, but my time as an actor, and growing up in this country meant I was always exposed to his work, and I was always in awe at his work, genius and of course the legend behind the man. How he has managed to transcend generations, decades, centuries even!

Then along came The Doors, and my interest in Jim Morrison. Out of nowhere I found out that he wrote poetry. This mystical rock god adored by millions wrote poetry!? I had to check it out! Suddenly poetry wasn’t such a stiff experience for me! As a 21 rebellious young man, who hated poetry in school, this was a new experience for me. I didn’t get any of his work at the time, I was too young and naive, but it opened “the doors”. I spent a week and a half in true rock and roll excess fashion getting drunk on whiskey and writing my first book of poetry. (Poetry in Motion) which needs to disappear hahaha!

But I was on the road! The journey that has lead me here. So Jim Morrison was my first big influence and the reason I started the path I’m on today!

I’ve always been into philosophy and philanthropy and I started, like many new poets today, posting on Instagram inspirational quotes and micro poems to try and help others that may be feeling the same. My first steps into the bigger public domain!

Then I discovered Kerouac and the beats, Kerouac being the one I have read mostly and draw upon most often. Maybe a poem here and there by Ginsberg, and a new era of my work came about. Spontaneous prose, Kerouac style!

Of course throughout all of this, my fascination with Shakespeare remained, and I always ask myself even now, if Shakespeare were around today, how would he put things? I am a huge fan of Shakespeare, and proud to be his fellow countryman. I have a statue of him on my desk overlooking me work and if ever I get stuck, I always rub the top of his head with my palm for good luck. I also have a bust of him in my garden now too! I’m heading to Stratford Upon Avon next week to finish my next book The Early Hours! I guess he is just in my DNA makeup now. Through school, acting and now poetry. I am astounded by his poetic finesse!

Somewhere along the line I discovered a reading of Bluebird by Bukowski on YouTube by Tom O’Bedlam and it just spoke to my soul! It was about me!!!! Curious to know more I picked up his collection pleasures of the dammed and have seen a few interviews. I enjoy his down To Earth fuck the world this is me kind of style and I draw inspiration from that when I’m writing about certain subjects or themes.

Before I answer your question, I will say it is interesting that you mention Linkin Park; I've never been a fan, but the lyrics to 'In The End' are a real kick in the guts whenever you're feeling insecure or have failed to achieve something you tried so hard to attain:

I tried so hard and got so far

But in the end it doesn't even matter

I had to fall to lose it all

But in the end it doesn't even matter

...oof. It's probably a combination of those lyrics and the epic musical score of the song that get me every time. I think we've all felt like that at some point or another. I also feel like this is the first 'anthem of failure' I have ever heard. Do you know of any other songs that have a similar impact?

I can't remember if there was ever a catalyst who inspired me to write poetry- i think i have been doing it for quite a while, but i will say, William Blake and Shakespeare were my main muses who encouraged me to continue. The texts that inspired me the most were Hamlet, Richard III, (which is my fav Shakespearean play) and Blake's collections of poetry. I'd say one of my favourite poems of all time is Blake's 'London' (i'd post the poem here but i fear i'll take up more than enough space already :P)

But in the same vein as music, i have to say, Jack White of The White Stripes is probably by favourite musical poet of all time- in the sense that often, his lyrics are written like poetry. I'd highly recommend you listen to TWS or read up on Mr. White even more! I mean, I wish i wrote the lyrics to 'Little Cream Soda' myself!

"Well, every highway that I go down seems to be longer Than the last one that I knew about, oh, well

And every girl that I walk around seems to be more of an illusion Than the last one that I found, oh, well

And this old man in front of me wearing canes and ruby rings Is like containing an explosion when he sings And with every chance to set himself on fire He just ends up doin' the same thing.

Well, each beautiful thing I come across tells me To stop moving and shake this riddle off, oh, well

And there was a time when all I wanted was my ice cream colder And a little cream soda, oh, well, oh, well

And a wooden box and an alley full Of rocks was all I had to care about, oh well, ...

Now my mind is filled with rubber tires and forest fires And whether I'm a liar And lots of other situations where I don't know what to do At which time God screams to me "There's nothing left for me to tell you.""

Look at those lyrics!! I'm not surprised, however. White has apparently written many poems over the years that were never intended to be turned into songs. He has never published any of these poems (as far as I know) but i bloody well hope he does because i think his content would be quite promising.

Thank you for allowing me to explore these concepts!

P.S- Please let us know if you decide to post that sonnet. I would love to read it.