The Art of Revision: Poets and Their Drafting Process
As a poet, one might wonder if the editing process involves extensive revision or if the first draft is the final product. This distinction between prose and poetry is critical, as poets often require multiple drafts to achieve perfection in sound, sense, and cadence.
The Difference Between Prose and Poetry
When comparing the first drafts of prose to the final versions, it's evident that a larger portion of the content remains unchanged. For prose authors, the first draft can often be the final draft. Conversely, in poetry, only a fraction of the original content frequently makes it to the final copy.
This difference is driven by the poet's desire for the work to be remembered and performed verbatim. Each word in a poem must fit perfectly in terms of sound and sense, making even the slightest change a meticulous task. This process often requires extensive pruning and refinement.
The Origins and Evolution of Poetic Revision
The philosophy of “first though best thought,” often attributed to the Beat poets, was actually borrowed from a Buddhist monk who helped found Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. This perspective suggests that the initial thought is the best thought. However, only absolute beginners and amateurs truly believe this to be the case.
Real writers, including Hemingway and T. S. Eliot, understand that the true work of writing lies in revision. Hemingway famously rewrote the last chapter of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” 40 times. T. S. Eliot also engaged in multiple revisions of “The Waste Land” over an entire year, much of which was reworked from earlier drafts.
It is important to note that the revision process can vary significantly from poet to poet and poem to poem. Walt Whitman, considered one of the greatest American poets, continued to revise his masterpiece "Leaves of Grass" throughout his life, indicating that no poem is truly complete without an ongoing sense of the need for refinement.
Personal Insights and Reflections
I have experienced a range of drafting processes. Some poems emerge almost spontaneously, while others require numerous revisions to reach a publishable state. There are even poems that, despite extensive revisions, I am still not satisfied with, which I refer to as "rainy day" poems. This ongoing process of refinement highlights the deeply personal and nuanced nature of poetic creation.
Paul Valery, a French poet and essayist, famously said that poems are never truly finished; the poet just stops working on them. This philosophy resonates with the understanding that the process of writing and revising poems is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. It is a testament to the complex and multifaceted nature of poetry and the infinite possibilities for refinement and improvement.
By exploring the evolving nature of poetic revision, we can better understand the dedication and artistry required to produce works of literary excellence. Whether through spontaneous inspiration or meticulous refinement, the process of writing and revising poetry is a journey worth embarking upon.