26 The I Am Poem: History and Form
“I exist as I am, that is enough.”
The I Am
Free - unique - individual - expressive - the I Am
The I Am Poem: The History and the Form
Though not as rooted in history as the haiku, the ballad, or the villanelle nor as recognized as the sonnet, the I Am poem is regarded as a form unto itself. From what I could gather, the first I Am poem was published in 1848 by the English writer, John Clare. In my research, I discovered that Clare actually wrote two I Am poems. One, is in the format of an English sonnet. The other is longer. Though I am not completely clear on this, I think the longer one was the most talked about, was the first one published, and was re-published in 1865 by Frederick Martin in his biography of Clare, Life of Clare. From 1841 until 1864, while a patient at Northampton General Lunatic Asylum, Clare wrote these poems. What is ironic is that during this time, he struggled with self identity - brought on by memory loss - and so these poems seem to be a personal reaching of self awareness.
There is no real set structure. While one follows the sonnet, the longer poem consists of three six-line stanzas all written in in iambic pentameter with an ababab rhyme scheme in the first stanza and ababcc in the second second and third stanzas. The I am poem is not standardized. The basis of the poem is a declaration of self - and is at times autobiographical and at times, metaphorical.
The I am poem is often assigned today in school settings, challenging students to write from the perspective of another. In this way this form of writing, is a wonderful way to explore creativity and cultivate empathy.
Reading Clare’s works, reminded me of Walt Whitman, and so, I doubled checked - and yes - Clare’s first I Am poem was published before Leaves of Grass which was published July 4, 1855- and was the debut of the celebrated Song of Myself. Perhaps it was the inspiration?
I will posts both of Clare’s works in a few days; so, make sure you come back again for those examples.
Resources
Charise, Andrea. “‘I Am.’” Encyclopedia of Literary Romanticism, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2014. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=101204&itemid=WE54&articleId=36184. Accessed 16 Sept. 2021.
Flesch, William. “‘I Am.’” The Facts On File Companion to British Poetry, 19th Century, Facts On File, 2009. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=101204&itemid=WE54&articleId=11595. Accessed 16 Sept. 2021.
Questions
What do you know about the I Am poem?
Have you ever read or listened to an I Am poem?
Do you have a favorite I Am poem?
Have you ever written an I Am poem?
If you were to write an I Am poem, would it be biographical or metaphorical