6-9“The Language of Poetry” Chapter 67–79, 82–89

A Collection of Names for Poetry

What kinds of names can poets use?

The Language of Poetry explains how to call something by its own name, without comparing it to something else. Alongside names formed by combining words, it collects names that poets can use on their own. The explanation begins with names for poetry itself.

The section on animals lists names for wolves, bears, and deer. Words for time include years, seasons, months, and weeks, as well as morning, evening, yesterday, and tomorrow. They range from long stretches of time to the familiar parts of a day.

There are also words for the body and mind. The head has several names, and so does the hand. Words for the mind include affection and will. The section on speech lists names for talk, stories, quarrels, songs, and more.

Many names for the sky are recorded, too. However, The Language of Poetry makes clear that its author has not found every listed name in a poem. It thus also tells readers whether these names have been confirmed in actual verse.

Illustration of A Collection of Names for Poetry