World Class Poetry Blog

How To Write A Poem
6 January 2008, the poet @ 10:42 pm

A few years ago I had the idea to write a book of poems centered around a specific small town. I would write poems about real people, businesses, history, and places within the town and ask local townspeople to sponsor it with monetary gifts, which would be returned by mentioning them in the poetry I’d write. It’s an idea I have yet to implement. Maybe someday. But I thought this was a pretty good idea too. Somewhat related, though not completely, it has merit and I think could work anywhere.

How To Write A Poem
Need to know how to write a poem? I’d have written this differently, but there is some good stuff in here. Much better, actually, than I expected. I do take issue with a few things, however. Here’s my list:

1. The use of the word “modern” for contemporary poetry. Modern poetry is usually a reference to the Modernist school, which includes T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, and their contemporaries. Popular schools of poetry that followed the Modernist school are Beat, Avant-Garde, Postmodern, and several minor schools. Poetry being written today is usually referred to as “contemporary.”
2. “You may remember rhyming poetry from textbooks. That is an old style. Modern poetry does not usually rhyme at the end of lines.” This isn’t entirely true. New Formalism is a contemporary school of poetry that does rely on rhyme as the old styles did. However, there is also a postmodern, or contemporary, stamp on the forms that are used in New Formalism. Nevertheless, there are contemporary poets who never use rhyme. The Millennial School of poetry, of which I am the only proponent (at present), promotes the idea that all poetic techniques, old or new, are valid and should be explored.
3. “Emotions are what make poems, and if you lie about your emotions it can be easily sensed in the poem.” This is entirely false. I’ve “lied” about my emotions in poetry a lot. I lie all the time. I consider poetry, all literature in fact, a “truthful lie.” It’s OK to lie in poetry; you just have to write it such that it doesn’t seem like a lie.
4. No. 5 on the list, “Decide what poetry style suits your subject,” appears to contradict the part about rhyming above. Some styles and forms rely on rhyme and if they don’t rhyme then they fit that form.

That said, there is some great advice in this wiki article about writing a poem. Specifically, I praise:

1. Point No. 1: Read and listen to poetry. Before you write anything you should be familiar with what other poets have done. Don’t be afraid to borrow their techniques - not their words and sentences, but their techniques.
2. Absolutely learn about contemporary poets and their styles. Study them. But don’t forget the classic masters.
3. Make sure you choose the right words. Not just any words will do. Convey specific thoughts. Only.
4. Use concrete images. I love the “objective correlative.” The idea preceded T.S. Eliot, but Eliot popularized the term. It is necessary to connect with your readers through concrete images. Let those images evoke the emotion in your reader.
5. “Really powerful poetry not only uses concrete images; it also describes them vividly.” True. So true.
6. Use poetic devices. And I might add, to use them you must know them. Study poetic techniques. Know what’s available. When you feel comfortable with the various devices that successful poets use then you’ll be able to use them effectively too. It begins with knowing what they are.
7. Edit your poem. Way too many poets fail to do this. Don’t end it on the first draft. Please.
8. Get outside opinions. Be careful here. Be sure you ask the right people. Only show drafts of poems in progress to other poets, who will understand, or try to, what you are trying to accomplish with your poems.

Understand that no one can teach you how to write a poem. But you can learn to write poetry. Don’t be surprised if you fall on your face a few times. It’s like riding a bicycle. No one does it successfully on the first try. Just keep reading and studying poetry, and keep writing until you get it. And one final gift about writing poetry: My take on How To Write A Poem.

1 Comment a “How To Write A Poem”

1. Jim Murdoch — January 7, 2008 @ 7:36 am
   

   Not much I can add to all that. My one regret is that there is not enough material to study. Sure there are poems aplenty but how do you study a poem? I’ve always been a proponent of writers explaining their craft. Too many keep poetry shrouded in mystery and at a distance from anyone who doesn’t already have a firm grasp of poetic nuances.

   So often I want to ask a poet why they did things a certain way. The reason I don’t most of the time is that I’m pretty sure the answer will be because it felt right at the time which is not wrong in itself but it doesn’t help a fledgling poet much.

   I’ve recently sent away for two books covering the development of modern poetry because every book I’ve ever read about “modern” poetry seems to end with the Mersey Poets and they’re now the establishment. I’m a bit behind the times.

   I’ve also just finished a lengthy blog about what differentiates poetry and prose. Not sure when I’ll post it – I’ve a few in hand – but watch out for it.

Submit a comment

Name

E-mail (not published)

Website URL

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail