Unlocking the Poet Within
By: John Harris
Poetry, in its myriad forms and structures, is a versatile medium of expression. Whether it’s free verse, sonnets, haiku, or a unique style of your own, the world of poetry is a playground for your creativity. Here are some balanced tips to enhance your poetry writing skills.
Poetry is an art form that employs various literary devices to create vivid imagery, often imbued with deeper meanings. The process of writing poetry can be an emotional journey, but it can also be a cathartic experience. Here are some tips to navigate this journey:
1. Discover Your Voice: American poet, Billy Collins suggests that when we write poems, we often suppress our true selves, projecting a more sensitive, emotionally aware persona. He advises allowing your authentic self to permeate your poems. Incorporate elements of your life and personality into your work. Everyone has a unique voice, temperament, and sense of humor. Harness that uniqueness. While it’s beneficial to draw inspiration from other poets, ensure your voice remains distinct.
2. Freedom of Expression: When selecting a theme, no topic is too small or insignificant. You don’t need to be overly serious or sincere. Don’t limit yourself by preconceived notions of what’s acceptable in poetry. Many poets have explored topics once considered off-limits in poetry, breaking new ground by taking risks.
3. Embrace the Chaos: Write in a way that feels most comfortable to you. If you’re drafting by hand, don’t hesitate to cross out words, jot down notes, and make a mess. Your initial drafts don’t need to be perfect.
4. Immerse Yourself in Poetry: Reading a variety of poetry can provide a wealth of inspiration. Your voice is nestled within the voices of other poets. By copying, imitating, and borrowing from them, you’ll develop your own voice. Choose a poem you admire, study it, and observe the techniques the poet uses to craft their voice. The more poems you read, the easier it’ll be to find the right techniques to cultivate your unique voice.
5. Start Small: A poem often evolves from an initial subject to a deeper theme as you write. The initial subject is merely a starting point, which you can deviate from as you discover what the poem is truly about. Instead of starting with a broad theme, start with a simple subject. Describe a table setting or the view from your window. This can often lead you to a more profound subject.
6. Be Authentic: If humor isn’t your forte in real life, don’t attempt to force it into your poems, advises Billy. Write in a manner that feels most natural to you, rather than trying to conform to a specific type of poem.
Poetry, a timeless art form, has been a part of human culture for nearly four millennia. Like other forms of literature, it’s a vehicle to share ideas, express emotions, and create imagery. Poets meticulously choose words for their meanings and sounds, arranging them to create a rhythm known as the meter. Some poems incorporate rhyme schemes, with lines ending in similar sounding words.
Today, poetry continues to play a crucial role in art and culture. Every year, the United States Library of Congress appoints a Poet Laureate to represent the art of poetry in America. From the sonnets of Shakespeare to the introspective compositions of Maya Angelou, poems continue to resonate, read and recited for generations.
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