Do you conduct research when you write a poem? Let me give seven reasons why you should:
- Not every poem has to be about “I”
- You can flesh out your poems with real facts from a reliable source
- Sometimes a little superfluous information can lead to a stunning image
- The right word or phrase can often be derived from knowledge gained through extemporaneous reading
- Additional background not included in the poem can keep you focused in the right direction
- Verfication of your instincts, impulses, and intuitions
- Use research as a memory jogger (what was that again?)
Research can begin at any stage of producing a poem. Not every poem needs research, of course, but a little seeking after information to turn an OK poem into an awesome verse is sometimes in order. You can actually save a bad poem from its inevitable destruction by taking your thought pattern and comparing it to an actual historical event, a famous person, information about a particular subject you don’t have complete knowledge of, or just plainly seek improvement. You don’t always have to write about what you know. You can learn as you write. You’ll end up a lot richer for it.