Afterpoetry

Afterpoetry refers to a contemporary literary movement or approach to writing poetry that emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It is characterized by a deliberate move away from traditional poetic forms, structures, and thematic concerns. The term suggests a post-modern or even post-post-modern sensibility, questioning the very foundations and purpose of poetry as it was understood in earlier eras.

Key aspects often associated with afterpoetry include a skepticism towards grand narratives, a embrace of fragmentation and discontinuity, and an exploration of the mundane, the everyday, and the often-overlooked aspects of life. Language itself is frequently a subject of investigation, with poets experimenting with syntax, vocabulary, and the materiality of words. There can be a blurring of lines between poetry and other forms of discourse, such as prose, philosophy, and even everyday conversation.

The movement is not a formally organized group but rather a loose descriptor for a shared sensibility found in the work of various poets. Critics and theorists have used the term to analyze contemporary poetry that seems to grapple with the perceived exhaustion of traditional poetic modes and the challenges of writing in a world saturated with information and media. Afterpoetry often seeks to find new avenues for poetic expression by engaging with the complexities of contemporary existence and the evolving nature of language and communication.