Poetry and Prose

Shariq Ali
Valueversity

The journey of poetry and prose is not merely a literary endeavor, but rather a manifestation of cultural consciousness. In early societies, poetry played a pivotal role in preserving collective memory, passing down tales, folk songs, and epic sagas through generations. From the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh to the sacred hymns of the Indian Vedas, we see a blend of both poetic and prose forms. With the advent of writing, prose emerged as the foundation for exchanging scholarly, historical, and administrative information. This fertile domain expanded further with the dialogues of Greek philosophers. Over time, various civilizations advanced prose through historical documentation and ideological discourse. Meanwhile, poetry continued to illuminate emotions and aesthetics, whereas prose became a vehicle for research and philosophy. Consequently, both forms opened diverse avenues of expression and understanding, and they continue to contribute to societal progress, intellectual growth, and the evolution of the fine arts.