Fantasy Poetry, although not recognised by many, has a rich history. From Homer's Iliad, an epic based on Greek Mythology, to Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy that follows the hero's journey through darkness and hell, to reach the pure light. Both are required reading on many literature degree courses. There is a fine line between what can be considered fantasy poetry and the term nonsense poetry.
Let's take a look at just two of the greatest proponents that fall into these categories. Lewis Carroll has produced some of the more discussed entries. The hunting of the Snark is a work where a number of characters; Bellman, Baker, Beaver, Banker, and Barrister, set off in a boat to hunt for the mythical Snark. On the face of it, a piece of fantasy poetry, yet numerous books have attempted to analyse this work, in my opinion, none very successfully. Some works have even proposed that the text carry hidden mathematical solutions. For me, the beauty of poetical works are that they allow their readers the opportunity to come to his/her interpretation of the meaning of the text.
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Carroll also produced other delightful works such as; The Walrus and the Carpenter, Jabberwocky, and Alice in Wonderland. To my mind these works should be read and enjoyed, without the necessity to minutely analyse the original thoughts of the person that penned them.
I would apply the same thinking to some of the works of Edward Lear. The Owl and the Pussycat often hailed as one of his best works, but when laid against The Pelican Chorus and The courtship of Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo, I reach the same conclusion; these works are works of fantasy. It takes considerable skill to write them, and, in my opinion, they have been written to stimulate our imagination, and for us to enjoy.
The benefits of such poetic tales, often paired with clever illustrations, can help to stimulate children's imaginations. Clever musical rhyme schemes help younger minds to retain these pieces, often well into adulthood.
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