I think this is an interesting experiment! Poetry is such a great way to express a thought- I find it powerful and moving. I write poems when I can. I still have much to learn but I'd say I am decent. I feel that doing this will let you exerience things quite differently. Depending on the diversity of each poem, you might develop some pattern or theme in your daily activities based on your conceived perceptions. It would be great if you posted updates with descriptions of how memorizing more and more poems affect you. One of my all-time favorites is Tear It Down by Jack Gilbert. I highly recommend reading his work if you haven't done so!
So far, I have learnt three not-so-demanding poems: William Carlos Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow," Margaret Atwood's "This Is a Photograph of me," and Thomas Sterns Eliot's "Preludes". We read Atwood's poetry at college, and it's been quite a joy to try to memorise the poem. Such a wonderful contrast; sedate words and quite an unfathomable strength coming out of that poem. I will give it a try about posting updates on the poems and how they affect me.
It would be quite an honour to read your poems, because writing/reading poems is as you say a moving and powerful experience, and it gets much better when you share it with others. Also, I will definitely give it a try and read J. Gilbert's work, because, honestly, this is the first time I've heard of him. Thanks for the recommendation. Warmest regards.
I will now have to check those poems out! I find it fascinating how poems can achieve such strength. I look forward to reading your updates. I do not wish to pressure you at all. Pressure obscures the true self-evaluations such as the updates you might write regarding how memorizing the poems affect you. So update on your own terms! Yes, I agree with you how reading and writing only helps us get better. In fact, I have posted a poem on this website very recently. I wrote it when I was an undergrad while taking a poetry course. I must admit, it is the only poetry class I have ever taken. I am by no means highly educated in the world of poetry--only by what I have read and observed on my own and of course by what I have learned in the only poetry class I've taken. As of now, one other person seems to have enjoyed it. I appreciate any feedback! Jack Gilbert is who we focused on in that class I mentioned. I am very much inspired by him and I have a feeling you will definitely enjoy his work. Until then, cheers!
I find Robert Frost excellent for memorization.
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in Ice
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire
But if it had to parish twice
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice
I have three of Frost's on my list: The Oven Bird, Design, and the Road Not Taken. Plus, I have all of his poetry just for my personal pleasure at home.