How social media changed the way we discover poetry

Social media has transformed the way poetry is discovered and consumed. American poet Anne Sexton's advice, "Whatever you do, don’t be boring," rings true in today's digital age. Poetry is no longer confined to books or live performances; it can now reach audiences through short clips on platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok.

Poet Aamir Azher discovered Urdu verses on Instagram, finding that the brevity of shers made them ideal for short-form content. He started sharing his favorite shers on Instagram and soon realized the platform's potential for poetry. Urdu verses have a distinctive structure that lends itself well to short videos, making them accessible to younger audiences.

Poets like Priya Malik, Nidhi Narwal, and Amandeep Singh have experienced the shift firsthand. For Malik, the real marker of mainstream reach was when her poem "2019 mein 1999" started landing in WhatsApp groups. This shift revealed that poetry was no longer limited to personal conversations but had entered people's private worlds.

Social media poetry demands quick attention due to the platform's fast-paced nature. The opening lines of a poem, often referred to as the "gateway line," become crucial in capturing an audience's interest. Poets must craft their work to be emotionally accessible and relatable within the first few lines to stand out in a sea of content.

Despite the challenges, poetry on social media has broadened its audience and created a sense of belonging. Younger generations, who grew up speaking Hindi and Urdu, find comfort in these languages as a refuge and homecoming. Poetry provides a way for people to express complex emotions that may be difficult to articulate in everyday language.

While the rise of social media poetry has brought new opportunities, it has also altered the poet's job. Poets now need to be skilled in writing, performance, videography, editing, and digital presence management. The pressure to create regular content and adapt to trending themes can be challenging, but it also offers poets a direct connection to their audience without mediators.

Social media has become a platform where poets can build their communities and engage with their audience on a deeper level. However, it is essential for social media to remain a medium rather than the destination for poetry, allowing for the preservation of its core essence and the magic of discovery.