Getting Started
Writing that Poem
- Poetry. What exactly /is/ poetry? Well, if you have read my "About Me" page, then you know what my opinion of poetry is... but that is only my opinion. Think for a second about what you feel poetry is. Not the book definition, you.
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- All done? Great. Now, think about what /writing/ poetry means to you. You may think this sounds a lot like the last question, but that is a significant difference. The former asked you about poetry itself. Now I ask you to think about writing your poetry. What do you think about it?
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- Done with that too? Fantastic. So let's get down to business. To be, there are a couple different types of poetry, each with its own form. I prefer those poems that rhyme. Generally, they have a steady meter, and the words may be arranged in a weird order in order for the meter to work out.
- However, they are still other poems out there. One of the other most common is called a free verse poem. These poems have no rhyme, and simply just state words. These poems can come in stanzas, though some prefer just to make one huge long poem without any stanzas. Nothing is wrong with that.
- Another form of poetry are illustrated poems. These are poems that don't necessarily have many words; the emphasis is more on the shape that the words form. For example, a poem about clouds in the shape of a cloud. Sometimes the poem can be long, sometimes it can be short. Illustrated poems vary greatly, but you don't generally see them on the 'net too much.
- Then there are poems like haikus. Haikus are poems that have a certain amount of syllables in each line. These don't often rhyme, and aren't very long either. Usually not going into much depth, these poems basically represent descriptions of an item, or something short that doesn't require many word.
- Yet, these are not the only types of poems. Poems vary greatly and there are millions of different types. The ones I have named are probably only broad catergories and only touch a few subjects. The world of poetry is not a limited one, so feel free to create a new style and break through.
- To decide which style you most enjoy, first you must pick a topic. Any topic, whether it be gloomy or uplifting, depressing or bright outlook; it matters not. However, make sure you can relate to that topic, for if you pick something that applies not at all, it's a useless gesture.
- Now, the best way to go about this is to relax and simply let the words flow. It is said that writing things upon paper gives the body a tranquil feeling... I don't know about the accuracy of this, but I do like writing poetry. Simply close your eyes, think about your topic, and write. If this is a true inspiration session, the words will come unbeckoned, like a steady flow. You'll practically know what to write, even if you aren't truly thinking about it.
- When first starting, the hardest thing about poetry will be thinking about a topic. That is why I like to wait until I get hit by an inspiration, and then I write. Without that inspiration, my poems don't tend to have the same flavor that can usually be seen in my more sophisticated ones. From this also stems my belief that poems can not be forced. They must be created with a will, which is why real poets are so truly treasure.
