6 Steps to Writing a Poem

Over the years, I have heard many people, especially students, say that they are unable to write poetry. Poetry is actually one of the easiest forms of writing once you know how to start since the structure, grammar, and even word order can be freely manipulated by a poet. Below is a list of things to do when you start writing a poem.

The first thing to do is think of a subject. If you are a student, the subject is often given to you. Once you have a subject, think of how you view that subject - does it make you feel happy, bored, scared, nervous, excited? This is important since it guides the words you will use once you start writing.
Write the first line. This might sound dumb, but it's important. Do not start with a title. A title summarizes the poem and says its most important message. A title should be made after you have written the poem so the title doesn't shape the poem and limit your creativity.
Now it is time to think about the structure of the poem. Do you want to use a rhyme scheme? What about the meter (the syllables in a line)? Look at the first line, that should be used to establish the meter. Count the number of syllables in the first line and try to keep the other lines to a similar length, that makes the poem seem more professional. You should strongly consider a rhyme scheme - they make the poem have a better flow and makes it more interesting; in my opinion, rhyming pairs of lines is the easiest. The last structure piece is the stanza; a stanza is like the paragraph of poems. A good stanza length for beginners is 4 lines since it allows for two sets of rhymed lines.
Now you need to write the rest of the poem. Don't worry - it's not going to be bad. To make rhyming easier, rearrange word order to have lines end with "ay," "oo," or "ie" sounds since many common words end with these. You also want to look at http://www.rhymer.com/ when you are stuck. For the meter, adjectives are your friend. Use appropriate adjectives that match the feelings in Step 1 to set the mood and fill up the unused syllables.
Now is the time to think of a title. A proper title should grab a readers attention and describe the poem in a few words. Often, a line from the poem can be used for the title. Another idea would be to give it a short (1-3 words) name after a certain metaphor or main idea in the poem.
Once you have the title, you should understand the main focus of your poem. Edit your poem and focus on word selection to emphasize certain feelings or thoughts. To emphasize a word, you can place it at the end of a line, use alliteration, or repeat it.

Following these steps will set you on the right course. Once the poem sounds right to you and gives the message you want, you know it is complete. Do not be afraid of change, sometimes the meaning changes from the original thought as you write - embrace this, fighting it will leave you unsatisfied with the final poem.

J. Murphy has been writing poetry for 6 years. He owns the website The Poetry Nook. If you want your poem reviewed and critiqued, submit it for some helpful advice. You can also view some sample poetry there for inspiration.

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Writing Poetry/Quotes - It's Actually Quite Easy

It's just that simply put! While other believe it is a God given talent, I believe anyone can learn the art of poetry; as long as the determination and drive are there. There are tons of resources all over the internet about writing your poetry, you could read all of them and it still wouldn't make any sense. Why is that? Is it because you don't care? Or is it that you want to care but it's just to hard? Here's a hint: 'Practice makes perfect'. Speak from within and write it down, you might surprise yourself if you try. It might take 5 or 30 minutes, but trust me, as soon as you get started, the sky's the limit. So practice, practice, practice, and share; what you think isn't worth reading might be inspirational for others; and again, your resources, they are all just resources; they won't help you express yourself, which is a large part of the art.

So, "How do I start a poem?" Let's try something simple; how do you feel? What recent events in your life have made you happy, sad, lazy, cry or maybe even mad. Have you made a decision? That was the first step, it will set the mood for your poetry, sure, it comes from your feelings, but you don't need to tell anyone that it's how you feel if you don't want to. You could say " It's how I think others see things", something like that. Poetry is easy, but not that easy, there are various forms of writing poetry, you don't need to know them all, actually, if your just interested in writing, I wouldn't worry about knowing them yet.

Poetry that rhymes?

Let's make this poem easy, growing up the poems that usually and probably captivated you was from Dr. Suess, my personal favourite, was none other than The Cat in the Hat. What did he do a lot of? Rhyme. Now lets pick 'sad'; from poetry I've read and written, it seems to be the easiest emotion to write about. This is an example:

Evasion

Hiding behind the lies
Running from the truth,
Silence broken from the cries
Of the troubled youth;
Being independent
"I can do it myself",
Beginning to feel neglected
Now asking for some help;
Still trying to bury the pain
And turn away from the trouble,
Life's pleasures never aimed
Now buried within the struggle;
Air filled with regret
Wanting to turn back time,
Stricken with every breath
Just about to cross the line;
No one will remember
The tears of the fallen youth,
Forgotten they are, forever
Because they never chanced the truth

I wrote this one quite a while back, I was inspired by a friend who was trying to run away from a personal situation. It obviously is not directed towards this certain individual, yes it's about the situation; but have you ever felt this way?

Try something like this out, concentrate, focus on what your feeling and write it down. Experiment a little, first person, or third? Are you speaking to someone/something, or are you being spoken to? If you are trying to rhyme and you get stumped, http://www.rhymezone.com/ is a pretty good site to try, if not, there are others as well.

Poetry, it doesn't rhyme?

Ok, so there are lots and lots of poems that do rhyme, what about the stuff that doesn't. Is it easier or harder to write? I myself find it more difficult, but that's just me; you might find a better 'flow' if you don't have to rhyme your words. Again, try to pick a topic or emotion; I've noticed in the years that poetry usually doesn't rhyme when the message is more serious, but this isn't always the case, they can also be silly at the same time:

The Perfect Lasting Memory

You were more than just a figment of my imagination,
You were something that was impossible to dream
I saw you where ever I was, where ever I went,
Even when I closed my eyes or when I was with someone else
Sometimes I called your name by accident,
Even when it doesn't fit with the sentence
I don't know why you're always there
To trouble me,
It's irritating but at the same time it captivates me
It puts a smile on my face even though I know it shouldn't
It's because you are totally different,
Within your own category, I know you're not perfect
And I know you never will become perfect,
But it's our imperfections that make us unique and perfect on its own...

The above are just examples of what your emotions and everyday interactions can translate into. It can become a challenge if what you write is not good enough for you; but proof read it, make changes, save it, then proof read it again the next day. Have someone you trust to criticize your work, what do they like, what don't they like? Remember, everyone interprets certain thing differently, especially poetry. If you would like a little more 'tips', here is a list that I found helpful to me when I first started:

After writing a quote or poem that you are happy with, try writing another. You may find that you had more inspiration from the previous poem to write another 'keeper'. Try it a few time before giving up on it.
Share your work, with friends family, even complete strangers. See what they think, they might love it, they might not. Ask for criticism, in the end don't be offended; good or bad, it is still constructive. So take it, and improve.

Your poem is yours, and the people that read them will interpret them how they like. Each poem can have several meanings for several individuals.

One of your 'bad' poems may become a favourite from someone else. So don't be so quick to discard it.

Don't only write poetry, but also read it; as often as possible. You can refine your style by learning a few new tricks from other writers.

Try several different styles or forms. The more you expand, the better you can get; as the saying goes 'practice make perfect'.

Bring a pad and pen and try to write in several places so you can 'see' ideas and write about them. Changing your surroundings can change your mood and in turn inspire your poetry.

Lastly, poetry maybe an art; but it's also a hobby that you should have fun with. More information and communication with other writers can be found at http://pomesarepoems.com/. Please make sure to take a look and leave a poem or quote; this site was built for writers of all ages and poetry of all styles, and is not for promotions of anything other than yourself. Please show your support for poetry by signing into the forum or leaving a comment.

Happy writing!!

- J a R -

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Writing Poems to Express My Feelings

I would love you

Between these dandelions,
Slowly blooming,
I meet love you, I would meet you.

With the taste of flower within our souls
And the mystery of the earth within dandelions,
I would kiss you, I would kiss you.

Until the petals will wither up,
With the mystery of our love within their yellow,
I would caress you, I would caress you.

Until the field will become completely white
And the wind will scatter seeds,
I would love you, I would love you.

Until I would feel your being,
Until you would feel my being,
I would hold you, I would hold you.

And even until our temples will become white,
And even until everything will get old inside of us.
I would stay with you, I would stay with you.

Until the light, that floods everywhere
Would vibrate the truth within to understand
That the bloom is unique and unrepeatable,

I would love you, I would love you.

Identify Yourself

You think you know who you are,
Or
You don't know who you are at all,
Or
You identify yourself as someone you aren't,
But
You will never find another one
Exactly like you
In Universe....

I'm glad that you understand

I'm glad that you understand my situation
'Cause that idea was an aberration
It gives me no mental satisfaction.
To do this I don't feel any elation.

That person needs a little adulation
And I definitely accept my resignation,
When writing words without any sensation
Means there is no implication.

I can ignore that and try to be successful,
But I cannot be forever disrespectful,
'Cause all my life I tried to live so careful,
I want my acts to be completely misdoubtful.

I understand that your life is truthful
And your feelings are very trustful,
Your lines are not at all unskillful,
Your feelings make me completely blissful.

Jealousy
I understand that your unresisting jealousy,
Which can never occur with pure ecstasy,,
Can provides an excuse for you, and she
Can be more tempted by sexual infidelity.

So, the honest feeling of love you may express,
Which begins the sentence with this word: noblesse,
Exists, 'cause you are born with natural finesse,
But this kind of relationship just cannot progress.

You need to find your lost passion again,
With love and kiss to irrigate again her vein.
To love without any constraint is so humane,
When tenderly her feelings she can regain.

You think that a new floor can start your dance,
When the intimacy of partner dance can enhance
Deep love again and the whole ecstasy by chance,
Which can bring back the glory days and old trance.

The jealousy is sometimes like a yellow loose strife,
'Cause yellow it's by its nature having its scent of life.
Love treats suspicions and cruelties which are so rife,
When more than she loves him a man can love his wife.

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