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Listen to criticism and try to learn from it, but don’t live or die by it. When I was in college, I would always take my best reviewed poem from the previous class and submit it to the professor for the next class. Invariably, the next professor hated the poem, and could provide good reasons why it failed.
When you write a good poem, one you really like, immediately write another. Maybe that one poem was your peak for the night, bit maybe you’re on a roll. There’s only one way to find out.
The bigger your theme, the more important the details are. A poem with Love, Destiny, Hate or other huge themes in the title already has two strikes against it (and I like love poems).
Say what you want to say. Let your readers decide what your poem means.
Feel free to write a bad poem.
That one perfect line in a thirty-line poem may be what makes it all worthwhile. It may also be what is ruining the rest of your poem. Keep an eye on it.
Don’t explain everything.
Untitled poems are like unnamed children.
People will remember an image long after they’ve forgotten why it was there.
Develop your voice. Get comfortable with how you write.
There are many excuses not to write. Try using writing as an excuse not to do other things.
The more you read, the more you learn. Read poetry often.
The more you write, the more you develop. Write poetry often.
Poems that focus on form are rarely my favorites, but most of my favorite poets learned how to write in forms before they discarded them. Writing in forms is a challenge. It makes you think.
Don’t be afraid to write from a different point of view. Write a poem that says exactly the opposite of what you believe. If you can, do it without irony.
When you cannot write, lie on the floor a while, go for a walk, or at least twirl around in a circle. Do something that changes your perspective.
Write in different places. Keep a notebook. Write in a park or on a street-corner or in an alley. You don’t have to write about the place, but it will influence you whether you do or not.
Listen to talk radio while you write. Listen to the people who call. Great characters and voices emerge that way.
If you don’t like a poem or poet you read, figure out exactly why. It may reflect something you don’t like about your own poetry.
When nothing is coming, start writing very fast. Write down any and every word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind. Do that for about a minute before you go back to working on your poem. I call this trick flushing.  Feel free to use anything you came up with, but the purpose of flushing is to clear your head.
<Make a list of poems you can remember specific lines from. Go back and read those poems. Figure out why they stuck with you.
Keep a dream journal. Dreams are your mind at it’s most creative so pay attention to them. Don’t feel you have to write a poem about your dreams unless one truly inspires you. The main goal is to see what thoughts the dreams lead you to.
Analyze other writer’s poems. Figure out what works, what doesn’t work, and why. Think about how you would work with the same material and concepts.
Use humor, irony, and melodrama, but don’t abuse them.
Write the worst poem you can possibly write. Use clichés, use pretentious words, and beat your reader over the head with your point. Felt good, didn’t it? Now get back to work. The point is, don’t be afraid to write a bad poem. Every great poet has written a bad poem. Most great poets have written hundreds, even thousands of bad poems. The great poets kept writing though, and so should you. If it takes a hundred bad poems to produce a poem you like, finish those hundred poems.
Limericks can be fun too.
Every line of a poem should be important to the poem, and interesting to read. A poem with only 3 great lines should be 3 lines long.
Poems should progress. There should be a reason why the first stanza comes before the second, the second before the third, and so on.
Follow your fear. Don’t back away from subjects that make you uncomfortable, and don’t try to keep your personal demons off the page. Even if you never publish the poems they produce, you have to push yourself and write as honestly as possible.
Find a way to publish your poems. Sooner or later you have to send your babies out into the world to find their way. Emily Dickinson was a fluke. Most people who don’t publish while they’re alive will never be seen or heard of — no matter how great their poems.
Buy poetry books, especially books by current writers. Give back to the poetry community by reading (and paying for) the works of others.
Go to poetry readings. Check your local arts publications for upcoming events. Almost any sizable town has readings every week or every other week. This is a great opportunity to meet poets and people who care about poetry.
When you go to readings, donate money and buy books if you can.
Host a poetry event or organize a reading.
If you want to swap poetry and criticism with your peers, form your own group. Many local arts publications let you list your group for free.
Publish your own poetry journal or web site. Even a few sheets of paper stapled together gets the word out.
Whatever else you do, keep writing.
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Words or lies
I’m tired of words
that fade away.
They lose the ring
of what they say.
I’m tired of the lies
of the man we elected.
With a voice of promise
and eloquent deception.
It’s time we focus
on what is right.
To take care of our poor
and those in plight.
The end is near
there’s not much time.
To do just nothing
is such a crime.
We need a leader
who’s words are true.
Not some con man
Who acts the fool.
let us nourish our page.we need new comment!we are teachers among ourselves to make the hay while sun shines.love you all.
i love all these tips, yet this one spoke in a very loud voice to me: feel free to write a bad poem. i am also trying to start writing poetry. thank you very much for the tips.
in zulu we say “thank you” meaning “thank you”
i wrote this one just to capture my feelings about what is about to happen in our country:
Welcome
Listen carefully
Can you hear it
The roar of the people
All are coming to one place
The southern tip of Africa
Africa has called the world
Sounds of good byes are everywhere
As loved ones part for a great journey to Africa
Oh world, Mzansi Afrika is ready
Its warm hands have prepared the best for you
Its loving heart welcomes you
Re a le amogela
Welkom
I played a love game
A wish come true
A dream so great
If I only knew
Now it’s to late
I played a love game
A horrible nightmare
Love turned into hate
A game so unfair
Can’t turn back, It’s far to late
I played a love game
Hurt and confused
I played a love game
Twisted and used.
FREE STYLE
Not to write is not to do right
So I will use my wits
Mustered from much sweat and might
To write down these words from my scripts
THAT WAS JUST BY THE WAY……..
I write a poem of a lady
Who I wished could have been my babe………….
I SAW YOU
Was plunged into the endless depth of your beauty
Beauty that dazzles earthly eyes
Consumes the very soul of man
That I cannot, but wonder
How breathtaking, a mere mortal could be….
Soared to the zenith of your splendor
Splendor that dazzles earthly eyes
Consumes the very soul of man
That I cannot but wonder
How gorgeous, a mere mortal could be….
Was hurled into the vast expanse of magnificence
Magnificence that dazzles earthly eyes
Consumes the very soul of man
That I cannot but wonder
How lovely, a mere mortal could be…
This happened to me, when I saw you….
This is a poem of a love that once upon a time…….
DIVORCE
GROOM:
Just one more day to stay alive
To feel the pain but still survive
Just one more day to see my love
And tell her that I’m still in love
BRIDE:
I called you but you turned away
I bid you so my home to stay
I knelt and called, restrained my tears
But wept and spared my heart the spears
GROOM:
Away my pride, I’ve lost the day
I’m here my bride, I’ve come to stay
My mind deceived, my heart believed
My soul admits mistakes conceived
GROOM:
My love is dead, I did my best
I fanned its flame to stand the test
It has bled enough, my heart should rest
Your love, my love, ours was the best
im a 13 year old girl and poetry is my passion, the tips have been
very helpful for me to follow my dreams and here is one of my poems;
WHY DID YOU BREAK MY HEART
I had never seen such beauty before,
you walked past me and you caught a glimpse of my eye
and at that moment i knew you were mine.
You smilled at me and you told me loved me,
while you knew you were going to break my heart.
Before i knew it, you had shreded my heart.
I trusted and believed you, but now I see
that it is true when they say ”Love is blind”,
it blinded me from seeing who you are inside.
Now we walk our different paths and the only question I have is:
WHY DID U BREAK MY HEART AFTER ALL WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH???
please comment people because it will be very helpful
my heart bleeds
for the moments
yearns for the times
goes mad for the laughter
that i miss sharing with you
you’re my everything
yet my actions indicates
that you mean nothing
but without you
my world would crumble into pieces
you’re what i never wanted
yet what i cant do without
the sugar in my coffee
the amen to my prayer
everything that keeps me alive
baby thats what u are to me
MAGNIFICENT YOU
You swept me off my feet, yes you did;
When I thought I was firmly planted and could not be moved.
I was groping in the dark, and you lit up my world;
With the alluring radiance of your magnificence.
Adorn my neck with a garland of your embrace
And crown my lips with a thousand kisses from you
Let me hear the sweet sound of your voice every morning I arise
And behold your countenance, if you could truly be mine
ENIGMATIC TRITON
In ages past, renowned sages in a trance saw my image
And in envious rage, they eagerly sought to cage my noble visage
The branded me, an opprobrium
And cast utterly my fame into oblivion
My mother was scorned, the day I was born
Is that a man born or is that a beast shorn?
Raa…ha, ha, they howled and snorted
Grunting away like swine, they trundled and tottered
These ‘jackals’ were from everywhere
Thrumming and taunting every noble mortal
Snarling and sneering,’-you slut sleeping around everywhere,
your seduction leads unto every portal’
Forty years passed by and I still laid on that bay
When the rains had just began, was it June or May.
Crushing stones to survive both night and day
Exactly where I was born on that hill of clay
Like a willow surging in the billows
I wish I could hurl out my pillow though the windows
And curse aloud all those fellows
Who failed to realize that I was the triton of the minnows
Be aroused, o my soul be aroused, you have slumbered for too long
Sing the song of your conquest, with the voice of thousand throngs
Arise like a titan; arise unto the very height of your throne
Where turquoise and emerald are the cheapest of your stones
CHESS
The trumpets sound, the line is drawn
The king, the queen, the knight and pawn
The sword is raised command is voiced
My faith is dead, – wish it was poised
My sight is sore and skin is
From all the blood and dew and sweat
Will fate declare my life or death?
I do regret my day of birth
Should I decide to go for peace?
Or pride myself but rest in peace
I’ll wage the war, I’ll do my best
I’ll charge myself and kill the rest
The war begins, slaughter resumes
A throng recedes, my sword consumes
A sword through me was thrust, I know
Is this the way my life will go
I know I’ll die but who’s to blame
My priest, my wife, my son, or foe
I turned around and saw my shame
The die is cast my life should go
I’ll miss my wife, I’ll miss her wine
I’ll miss t sit and drink and dine
I’ll miss my harp and flute and song
I’ll miss my son who’s bold and strong
heres some peoms i wrote. Im not that old so these arnt that good but please comment and tell me if u like them.:)
Serinity
“Im floating in serinity,ive been here for eternity.No love.Nothing above.Im staring at the end,and theres no bend in the end.”
it means dont be afraid of death.its a peaceful thing.
My lord
“Thank the lord.The one and only.That blessed us,thats loves us,who washed away our sin.Thank the lord.The one and only.”
Death
” As i lift up to the light,say my last goodbyes.I cry,but know the life ahead of me,standing next to god is greater than imaginable.”
please tell me if there good!!
<3
SILENCE! MY HEART
Silence, I bid my heart, stay silent; why does my love break my heart so?
Silence my heart; why does she make me long for her love so?
Silence my heart, do not crumble; for my love tears my soul apart!
Silence my heart, I am forgotten by my love
She says we are over and done with in her heart
She only dreads to inform me, I know
I eagerly wait for her to tell me to the face; that she loves me no more
That I am not what she has been longing for
That she has not seen in me what she yearned for
…..Alas she spews out the arrows of abhorrence for me with many tears
She sheds crocodile tears and wishes that this was over too quickly
I know I’m done but not completely out
I may meet her again; meet her in the caring arms of her new lover
Or meet her on her way out of a disappointing relationship, I pray not so…
Because I love her so; I free her from the cage of my heart
That she may wonder and be happy
And if she truly is mine, she will return back to her nest, right within my heart
Or my heart may wonder into another’s fold
To possess and to hold in the storm and in the cold
I am of my love and my love is mine
MY KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR
O come my Knight and light up my night
You’re clothed in white and shine so bright
I’ve lost my might and sight from fright
Come now and fight my fear, O my Knight!
thank you for the tips!
Thanks Sir.
The tips are a poet’s mind to me.
Truly visible is the true direction with your wisdom words.
For no compromise on my creativity, for the creation now pours.
The most wanted tips of mine are mine.
Only waiting for some more advice from you,
to create the loveliest poem of mine.
A long way has been unveiled,
the curtains have flown away,
Only the right path awaits me now.
god-sons-writings.com/
Love The Night ”
See the luminious bright sky
covered with shining stars
Feel the Heaven above you
Let urself fly
In the jeweled sky
Everything around us is dead
and the silence awakes
embrace the silence of the night
listein to the silence of the night
Feel the rhythm of the quiet and lonely night
Feel urself heaven
through the cool breeze
coming by the dark trees
ride the breeze
makes u relaxed and free
Love the night !!!!
ur tips r helpful ;; thank you
Cat’s eye’s glimmer,
In the newly found darkness.
Dogs bay at the moon,
In hope of no loneliness.
Cars speed through lights,
Not daring to slow down.
But once a life’s taken,
New rules will be found.
Rain falls like glass beads,
Breaking all silence and calmness.
Shattering your dreams,
Leaving you heartless.
Cold winds whisper through trees,
Telling secrets of the past.
Telling about wonderful times,
That people hoped would last.
Sweet smiles hold a story untold
A mystery waiting to be solved.
An unacknowledged sense so old,
Waiting for someone to find it.
But until that is simmered,
In the fallen black darkness,
A cat’s eye glimmers.
i wrote this, i am an 11 year old girl and i do not know if this is good or not, so plz comment telling me
“Dont save me, Let me be, Its my time, Theres no crime, Let me lay, i will pay, the price, just roll my the dice, it lands on zero, theres no life, left inside, my soul escapes, draw the drapes, sheld the light, its to bright, my dying breath, in my moments last.”- by me again:)
And another
“How can i bare it? How can i sit? When i know all the crimes they’ve commit? Im restless, cant sleep, cant keep it all a secret. Siting in bubble , i know all the trouble, but i cant tell a soul. I can take the toll, because i know ive done rong, for so long.”
And another poem
The beautiful thoughts of you and me, make me coo with glee. I want to be with you,its true. I cant hold my self down, i need to get out, to hunt you down, because your my prince in shining armor, thats come to save me, from the tall dreadful tower.
Another
Im sinking into hell, i dont hear the bells, wheres the shiny gate? No moments of hate? How can this be? Wheres the key? To the kingdom of the lord? It feels like im being slashed with swords, sinking into my hells.
Im only 11 and i just found out i like to write poems, i hope you like them.
WHY DO LOVE HURTS!
WHY DO LOVE HURTS
WHEN EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT
I THOUGHT FIND MY LIFE
ITS LIKE I’M LOST IN THE DARK NEED TO
FIND THE LIGHT
MY HEART IS BROKEN INTO TWO PARTS
THE FIRST GUY MADE ME CRY IT WAS
9MOUTHS BUT IT FELT LIKE LIFE
WISHING I COULD START ALL OVER
AGAIN MAKE EVERYTHING THAT WRONG RIGHT
THE NEXT GUY WANTED TOO MUCH
WE WASN’T ON THE SAME PAGE
SO AFTER 6MOUTHS HE LEFT MAYBE
IF I WOULD HAVE GIVE HIM SEX
THEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE
WHY DO LOVE HURTS
WHEN EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT !
Memories
My heart beats, and it repeats, the memories i refuse, of you and me, side by side, but you lied, broke my heart, you where the part, that makes me whole, but you riped a gash, in my soul.- by me
Visions
i close me eyes, and i see for the first time,the vision of you, all perfect and sweet, dancing on your feet, graceful and wonderful, oh how i wish to be, by your side, your hand in mine.-another
So long
Emtyness consumes me,and my heart sings to me, becuase i know in a minute, i will have the angel wings.And so i sing, my last song , of the moments, so longs.
plleeaaasseeesss tell me if der good
<3
Poverty in pakistan
Opened maiden eyes in mom’s lap,
Seemed all of taking him care.
No sooner did he grow up,
Was burdened with work share.
Poverty had plagued them,
Childhood worn on, sans shoe pair.
Mates would play keeping him off,
Thought, how it was unfair.
If ever importunate for a rupee,
Dear dad had menacing stare.
Mom wished him a good student,
Dad cried! How did she dare?
Maneuvered through devil hurdles,
Indeed, ploughed through iron layer,
Wandering, holding enthusiastic degrees,
So far found place nowhere.
Plodded through an epic journey,
Went bald by falling hair.
Though seem wingless, yet there,
Where even jabril didn’t dare.
Stuck in marshy curse,
But Elysium hopes stare.
“it is my own written poetry conveys the culture of pakistan peasants”.
zaeem yousaf,
perfossional poet,
Article mentioned above behooved me towards quick way to write poems.
i love this rules! it really strengthen me to write with courage even if how bad my my poems are (not really I guess.). my classmates tells me that what I’ve wrote was good but i always felt down when i think that others are better than me. but I’m not going to loose my hopes in writing.”it’s better to try more than to surrender.”= D
hi, im only 13 years old, and i love to write! how do i get my dreams started?!
Why are they trying to figure out what I am about,
I don’t look normal to them or Wat?
OK,I admit,
Maybe I am a little different,
But I didn’t say I am not human,
Am little laid back,
And I hate people watching my back,
I like minding my own business,
Cause I don’t t like stress,
I depends on nobody,
I spent my own hard earned money,
Am not boasting around,
But is a way of survival in this cold world,
I hate intruders,
I don’t associate with pretenders,
Trying to bring you down,
Leave you completely ruin,
Pretending to be concerned,
But never take their word,
Bloody idiots,
On them I gonna shit,
Cant believe I was so blind,
A pause was my mind,
I wasn’t thinking clearly,
I didn’t realize they were using me,
They were playing tricks on me,
But now my mind is awake,
Am gonna stand up,
Am gonna fight back,
To hell I will drag them,
To hell I will drag them,
Making sure they thoroughly burn,
And this this they will never forget,
And me I will live to celebrate.
tHAT ABOVE POEM IS CALLED DAMAGERS,
NOW HERE THE LASTEST
A PIECE OF MY HEART
You are my friend,
The one I want to always hold,
Through the good times,
Through the bad times,
We walk together,
Me and you, no other,
You are my confident,
I tell you all my secrets,
Attentively you open your ears,
Everything I utter you want to hear,
You always held me up,
For me you always stood up,
When I fall down,
You always pick me up,
Whenever I need a hand,
You stretch your hand I hold,
When life I cannot bear,
You are there to wipe my tears,
You are my comfort zone,
You are juts like the ice cream cone,
I can’t make it without you,
You are my hero,
Every moment we spent,
It all counts,
Thank you for everything you have done,
You always want to see me happy,
With you I will never be lonely,
Whenever I am in sorrow,
You always make me smile,
Remember the silly jokes you told me?
Those ones I will never forget,
They brought me happiness,
They are the best memories,
The best I ever had,
Even though I may not shout it loud,
But you are always missed,
And I will never be ashamed,
To call you my best friend,
My actions whenever am wrong you correct,
Cause you understand am not perfect,
Only with you I can be myself,
You are my hiding shelf,
You accept me for who I am,
As long as my life goes on,
You will always be my number one,
I will never break my promise,
For you I will always compromise,
And forever we will be friends.
That a vow I will never break,
Every breath I take,
Every step i make,
In you I know I will find the strength.
U CAN CHECK THE OTHERS AT MY BLOG:http://www.lizleppy-lizleppy.blogspot.com/
IMPOSSIBLE LOVE.
I have being hearing your voice in my head,
I picture you holding my hand,
Then you whisper to my ears,
I look up and stare straight in to your eyes,
I see the sun,
It’s shining so bright,
I start feeling the heat,
My heart is near to bounce out,
Am afraid something very strong is building inside,
I have to run for my life,
This can’t happen,
We are not meant to be,
This is impossible,
We have to let go,
It’s wrong,
It hurts so much,
This love is making me weak,
The way I feel,
I know this love is so real,
We wasn’t suppose to fall in love,
Of all people, why did it have to be you?
I didn’t want to fall in love,
I didn’t want you in my life,
Now I regret,
That we met,
But it’s done,
We are in love,
We know its wrong,
You belong to another person,
And we can’t be together,
Our love is impossible,
Great tips,JH. I find your tips very helpful. I’ve written a number of poems myself & they’re so good that many times i feel like i’m the poet in Africa!
Time,
When time freezes,
you know that its the end.
When its the end,
theirs a better place above.
When you enter that place,
you shall feel th loving of God.
The only God in the world,
gives you the freedom.
Is it you who realy loves me,
or is it just I who loves myself?
Thanks so much for these tips! I’ve set a goal for myself to read them all. The only thing that irked me was when you said:
Find a way to publish your poems. Sooner or later you have to send your babies out into the world to find their way. Emily Dickinson was a fluke. Most people who don’t publish while they’re alive will never be seen or heard of — no matter how great their poems.
Yes, Emily Dickinson only gained her fame after her death, but she did try to get her poems published when she sent them to Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Higginson refrained from publishing her poems because he thought they were too shocking and avant garde for the general public.
Maybe I’m just a defensive fan. I love Emily Dickinson.
Hi Claudia,
Glad you love Emily Dickinson. I think you read a bit much into my statement, which made no actual criticism of Dickinson, but merely points out how unlikely it is to have your work “discovered” if you don’t publish.
Thanks, John! This and others are all useful tips.
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