Intro To Verse: Part 2

If you are looking for some tips on how to write a poem, you might be in luck. The reason I say this is because no matter how good a lesson, or how informative the instructions, the basic fact is you have to actually try to write a poem, instead of sitting there thinking how am I going to put verses in a good pattern on paper. Many years ago I asked a teacher how I could improve my writing skills. I was waiting for some magical theory, but he simply said, ’You write.’ Sitting there thinking, ’How am I going to write what I want to say?’ is the recipe for saying very little, if anything. I was a university composition teacher and found the biggest roadblock to good writing was the negative thinking of ’I can’t’.

If you can chew gum and read at the same time, you can write. Not only can you write, but also you can write in a manner other people will want to read. The secret to this is very simple. Write as if you are having a conversation with someone. If you’re writing a love poem, write as if you feel you are embracing your lover. If you’re writing about some event, or the seasons, imagine you are there and write your verse. Don’t sit there pondering what word should I use, or if it is spelled write, or is proper grammar. After you finish your poem you can go back and correct any errors. A good poem has emotions. Your emotions! People who read your words will feel and appreciate your emotions.

I always hear the sad refrain, ’It’s not a very good poem.’ Instead of asking yourself why, in your opinion, it’s not a very good poem, you want to make excuses. Bring the pity wagon out, grab tissues to dab your eyes and look at how awful his or her poem is. Nobody wants to hear this, so why do you insist to put such negative thoughts in the minds of other people? The reason is you are still stuck like super glue to the word ’Can’t’. Another huge problem is a lack of one key virtue. No, it isn’t lack of modesty, greed or gluttony, it is impatience. You want your poem to shine as if you were Robert Frost reincarnated. It takes time and effort to develop any skill. Patience not only is key, it is a must.

Another problem I hear is, ’It’s already been said before.’ Guess what, Ophelia? You’re right. It’s probably all been said a few million times before, but what makes it different this time is that you are saying it in your own unique way. If you want to Google search your own brain, you can probably find a billion reasons to discount yourself and find ways to say, ’I can’t’. Another huge problem is wanting to finish as soon as you’ve started, or half way through your poem. This saps the emotions dry. Put down your pen and come back later. A good poem needs your emotions and if you can’t give your emotions to your poem, then it is very likely your poem will suck. Never ever think about finishing!!!

The most popular form of poetry since the early 20^th century to this day has been free verse, or free style. In my opinion, it’s popularity stems from the fact that anyone can write it. You don’t have to worry about proper meter or even form. You can put lines of verse on the paper in anyway your heart desires. That doesn’t mean it’s a good poem. It can be great, good, mediocre, horrible, or something best used in the bottom of a birdcage. There are of course traditional styles such as quatrains, cinquains (not to be confused with sequins), ballads, etc., and etc. Style is your choice and style alone won’t make your poem great, good or used to kindle logs in the fireplace. In my next article, I will talk about things you can do to fashion your poem in a manner that makes it art and not just words in verse form.