Poetry finds a new stage on social media as reels bring verse to a wider audience
American poet Anne Sexton had one rule, “One of my secret instructions to myself as a poet is: Whatever you do, don’t be boring.” The poetry-verse on social media is following her brief, particularly in format.
Poetry has learnt to travel beyond the book. A poem could find you as Khushi Thakur recites an obscure Hindi poem from Bulandshahr; as Aamir Azher introduces you to an Urdu sher from Bhopal; or as Olivia Dodd taps out one on a vintage typewriter from London. Meanwhile, Nidhi Narwal, Nayab Midha, Amandeep Singh and Yahya Bootwala, among others, deliver their viral verses straight to the camera.
