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Do you have a way with words?
By Emily Ratay — Written on Apr 22, 2019
April is National Poetry Month! Who else besides me is excited and wants to try talking in haiku all month long? No one? Hmm, okay. One of my favorite definitions of the word “poetic” comes from Urban Dictionary (of all places).
It says that being poetic describes someone who can “turn little things that no one would see right away into something with a wonderful meaning.” Poetic people see the world with rose-colored glasses on – or glasses of any color that inspires you, I guess – and always seem to find a deeper meaning in things that might not see so deep on the surface.
Think about all of the OG poets and what they wrote about. Things like roses and the ocean were always described with so much detail, you’d probably find yourself wondering just how that poet could describe something like a simple flower into such inspiring and interesting words.
Poetry has certainly changed since the time of Shakespeare, but I like to think that’s a good thing. For example, I find myself inspired to write my own poetry after exploring some of Instagram’s best poets, like a few of my favorites, Cleo Wade and Rupi Kaur.
While I have yet to actually share any of the poems I’ve written myself, I try to inspire myself by looking at how these women write so differently from one another but both so full of love and empowerment at the same time.
Of course, while Instagram has become a sort of hot-bed for budding poets, it’s not the only place you can find poetry. Music, for one, is another industry that is teeming with poets of all kinds. And there, one of my favorites, Kendrick Lamar, was recently recognized for his album DAMN. with a Pulitzer Prize in music.
While some people actually believe he should have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize in literature – not music – I think we all feel that this recognition was well deserved. Whenever I hear Kendrick Lamar’s music and listen to his lyrics, it gives me the same warm-fuzzy, champagne-bubbly, goosebumps-inducing feelings that pen-on-paper poets give me.
While at one point, there might have been a thing known as the traditional poet, I don’t believe that tradition is important to the world of poetry anymore. I think that anyone has the ability to be considered a poet without feeling like they have to conform to a “traditional” label.
For some zodiac signs, being poetic comes a lot easier to them than for others, but like any type of creativity, what matters is being who you are because it’s enjoyable to you. Poetic or not, maybe try your hand at your own poetry this month!
Here’s how poetic you are, based on your zodiac sign.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
You can be very passionate when you're around people you love, Aries. But when it comes to being poetic, not so much. You are too brutally honest to soften your words in an eloquent and poetic manner.
For you, love should be expressed in physical ways. You will show someone you love them by cooking them dinner, giving them a massage, or some friendly competition. But through poetry? Not so much.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
You have a lot of love to share, Taurus, which is the basis of so many poems out there. As long as you express your love and commitment to the people you care about most, you can consider yourself poetic in a way.
That said, it's not always easy for you to put your thoughts and emotions into words. For you, it's not so easy to tell someone how you feel about them in an eloquent way. Because of that, you show your romantic and caring side through physical expressions of love.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
As an air sign, you have always been good with your words, Gemini. You are witty and intelligent, and people admire the way you speak with such eloquence and cleverness.
These qualities are what make you poetic. Given the opportunity, you could sit down and write beautiful prose or a rhyming poem that could easily be shared on your social media accounts. You have a way with words that not many other zodiac signs do, and that is something to embrace.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
As a sensitive and emotional zodiac sign, Cancer, you have the ability to be poetic just like the other zodiac signs. You can be artistic when given the chance as well, but just like poetry, art can come in many different forms.
Your biggest issue when it comes to expressing your poetic side is not caring what other people think about you. You care what your friends and family think, so if you want to express your poetic side, you have to remember to stand by what feels right to you.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
The qualities that make you a poetic zodiac sign are the same qualities that make you one of the more artistic signs, too. Your penchant for drama and passion might seem like bad qualities to some, but they just don't understand who you are.
Your passion and excitement for life can be translated well into poetry. And as for your dramatic side, poetic expression doesn't just have to be on paper – it can be on the stage, as well. As someone who can be dramatic and confident, you might be best suited for poetry in acting or spoken word.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
People don't give you enough credit for this, Virgo, but you are secretly very romantic and touching. You might not be as expressive as other zodiac signs about it, but you care deeply for your friends and family.
You have the ability to be very poetic when you put your mind to it. Just like you're able to focus on the little things that make your friends and family feel loved, you can use the same tactic when putting pen to paper.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
You're not afraid to admit that Instagram is where you find the poetry you like the most, Libra. You can love poetry and no want to read some stuff writer who died thousands of years ago, right? Right!
Not only does poetry touch you, but it also inspires you. For you, poetry is an expression of beauty – just like art, fashion, and love. And just like all of these other expressions of beauty, poetry inspires you to be your best self.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
You are one of the most deep and profound zodiac signs, Scorpio. Even if it takes you awhile to show everyone else your vulnerable side, it's still very much there, underneath the hard outer shell you protect your soft underbelly with.
Because of your profound nature, you are one of the most poetic zodiac signs out there. You are moved by everything – people, sentimental places, and even rain on a cloudy day. You see poetry in just about everything in life, Scorpio.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
As a fire sign, you can be very passionate and expressive, Sagittarius, but that about does it. You're too honest and straightforward to be anything remotely close to poetic.
Being poetic means being well-thought out with your words, which is something you're not always good at. You'd much rather tell someone how you feel about them, or what they mean to you, honestly than to beat around the bush. It's just not you!
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
Speaking of beating around the bush, Capricorn, you are just like Sagittarius. You don't really have the time or patience to be anything but straightforward and, frankly, you're not really good at being poetic.
You can definitely express your feelings for someone, but you have to do it in your own way. Trying to be eloquent and soft with your words is just too much work, and you prefer to do things the Capricorn way – honest and straight to the point.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
Emotional expression isn't exactly your forte, Aquarius. You're not very comfortable with being vulnerable in the traditional sense, but you do have better luck expressing yourself through art. Namely, poetry.
You express yourself better on paper, when you're able to take the time to gather your thoughts and really put emotion into what you want to say. As an air sign, you are very intelligent and good with your words, it's just your emotional expression you'll need to exercise more.
PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
Pisces, you are very artistic and emotional. It wouldn't surprise anyone if you started talking like a poet because your life is practically all poetry anyway. For you, poetic expression is a way for you to show your emotional and vulnerable side in a new and exciting way.
You have a deep and soulful connection with all kinds of art, poetry included. For you, life should be about beauty and love, which you aim to bring in all of your friendships and relationships through beautiful words and other poetic expressions of love.
Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh. She's passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes. She plans on writing a non-fiction book in the future.