Janice Marie Foote's Musings

There are subtle differences in the art of penning lyrics vs. poems.  Below are a few!

The art of penning lyrics is different than the art of penning poems. Poems have much more liberty in the liberal usage of words. Whereas lyrics require a concise amount of words that can be set to music rhythmically.  As well as an almost approximate amount of words that don't daunt the mind too much when it comes to memorizing them. Of course the amount of words that can be memorized vary from one musician to the next.

Another difference is once a poem is written and put out there, it almost remains static, outside of publication or reciting it at poetry readings (over and over). Whereas with written lyrics, there are many more stages to be had. Setting them to music, recording them, and performing them (over and over). In this way lyrics have a more fluid life.  If you're lucky, picked up to be a part of a soundtrack to a tv show, movie or documentary.

That being said, I immensely enjoy penning poems and lyrics.  As they have two distinctly different purposes in my life.  On the physical and mental level, both work as a catharsis in life, in that they clear out the mind and body of a situation in the past, present or future.  All art works at the cathartic level for all those who choose to consciously create in whatever medium.  Which is why one feels ecstatic and lighter on their feet after finishing any creative endeavor.

On the subconscious level, poems and lyrics come from different parts of the mind.  If you tune into your mind on a regular basis you can tune into the nuances of what part of the mind they're coming from, and whether they're coming through you as lyrics or poems, or thoughts.  Daily silent meditation is one way to help tune into frequencies of your mind.  I do it on a daily basis, and it helps me immensely, in different areas of life.  Including the art of penning lyrics and poems, and telling the difference as they flow through me onto paper with pen.

Moving forward, maybe one day I'll write a non-fiction short story novella style.  Possibly and most likely about writing lyrics, setting them to music, performing at open mics, and whatever else comes along in the arena of music for me.  Like recording albums (EP and LP).  Only time will tell, but I'd really like to pen that story and put it out there.  One day I will when the time is right.

~ Write On - Janice Marie Foote ~