How to Write Poems

How to Write Poems

How to write poems according to prescribed rigid rule, meter, and rhyme is not the only way to learn poetry writing.

Verses produced for some of the poetry contests I’ve offered to contestants attest to the fact that people create beautiful, heartfelt poems with little or no formal education in the area of writing verse of any kind.

Poetry is as varied as words in the English language. So it is with how to write poems.

Poetry is language that can be expanded because poets often create new words to fit.

Learning poetry writing is about expressing feelings and emotions, or your point of view, in as brief, as rhythmic form as possible.

Notice that I said rhythmic, not rhyming. It’s the flow of the words and syllables that count, especially in poems like free verse.

Rhyming poetry is fine and can be beautiful. I am simply more comfortable with free verse.

Learning how to write poems is to weave threads of various emotions, or light, or fun-loving sensitivity, into a pattern. The strands please the eye to see, the ears to hear, the mind to absorb. Very often, we find confirmation for ourselves in poetry.

I have to admit that I do not write much poetry. I write verses only when a poem pops into my mind. Sometimes it happens when I’m mulling over how to say something. I might get frustrated and make a silly poem out of a situation.

I might just formulate a poem without realizing it. Strangely, it’s in my car where I do much of my “mulling over.” Then, something I’m known for, I pull to the side of the road and make notes. I tried using a hand-held recorder. Didn’t work for me.

If I wanted to write an anthology of poems, well… it would take me an awfully long time of waiting for inspiration before I could fill a poetry anthology.

The poetry I’ve written over the years might be enough to begin putting together an anthology. However, I would focus on a theme and my poetry wasn't written to appeal to a certain theme.

My poems, like my story and novel writing, are multi-genre writing. If I were to put together a poetry anthology, I would try to follow a theme.

I have an uncle who began to write his feelings in poetry. Once started, he could not stop. He now has four books of personal and spiritual poetry to his credit. He said once he got into the rhythm of how to write poems, they just flowed out. And they keep flowing out.

Today, the movement is away from rhymes and severely structured poetry. In order to keep those forms alive, many people forms groups simply for the purpose of reviving certain forms of poetry. So all forms are still written today and always will be.

Our upbringing, our education, and so forth largely influence the type of poetry that appeals to us as individuals. Therefore, I say, “Break the mold. Create your own form.”

Learn how to write poetry by learning to write your feelings. Poetry expresses deep feelings and emotions. Who knows? You might be like my uncle. Once you learn how to write poems, they may keep pouring out.

Following that, you might want to enter the poetry contests that I’ll be offering from time to time.

In showing how to write poems, I’ll try to keep the selection varied. Presently, these are some poetry pieces, used as examples in how to write poems.

Naked Night in the Tropics

Ode to a Little Girl

My Heart for Thee (my Son's poem)

Modem and Ribbit (two silly poems)

Besides the usual forms we associate with the term poetry, I also dabble in Haiku, Senryu, and other forms of Japanese poetry.

Since Haiku and Senryu never have a title, I’ll just call that page…

Japanese poetry

It’s filled with small pieces of poetry, which will help you learn to write poems in Japanese form also.

There will be a separate article on this topic posted soon.

The poetry contests will have a separate page as well.

Some surprise pieces are posted at the very end of the Japanese poetry page.

When learning how to write poems, try each type of poetry. For me, some are hard work, many are fun. Learning how to write poems can only come about if you try all forms of poetry.

NOTE: Most of these poems have been published. If you wish to reprint any of the poetry pieces, simply contact me.

Poetry is appreciated worldwide. Check out Whisper Poetry in Africa. From their site: Whisper Poetry in the Heart of Africa has built bridges in the world of the Arts & Literature, not only in Africa but all over the world.

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