Unfortunately we are not going to be talking about Tupac vs Biggie. It’s a hard pill to swallow but instead I would like to talk about the differences between Eastern poetry and Western Poetry. Also, it is important to understand that I will be making broad generalizations about the East and West that are not reflective of every piece of literature or poet.
The East
Eastern poetry and philosophy go hand-in-hand with each other. What I have observed about Eastern poetry is that it is less about getting a point across. I believe that Eastern poets tend to embody a characteristic of wisdom. When I am reading Eastern poetry I often feel as if I am being mentored or taught by someone who has truly experienced a source of Enlightenment in their life. The words are more subjective and a certain verse or poem may seem as if it has changed every time you read it.
The West
In contrast to the East, Western poetry seems more impacted by it’s culture and environment. It focuses on the reader or the individual more so than the expression of the poet. Whenever I read Western poetry I look for the “goal” of the poem. Much like writing for a newspaper, the poems like to prioritize the main idea that the writer wants the reader to understand. I believe that this is caused by the fact that readers nowadays do not like to read for a very long time. Shorter lines and more obvious ideas make it easier for readers to understand and experience the poems.
Which Do I Prefer?
I prefer to read Eastern poetry because the collections of poetry always seem to be more organized and thought out for the long term read. Considering that I mostly read collections of poetry, it makes plenty of sense that I enjoy reading the poetry that comes from a more collective society. I think that Western poetry is really great for individuals who may be searching for answers or for creating awareness. I think that Harlem Renaissance poetry is phenomenal at creating awareness and addressing problems. All in all, I like having poetry that picks at my emotions and thoughts and these are qualities that I find within Eastern poetry.
Semi-Poetic 