April is National Poetry Month and if you have not thought about poetry since high school, it might be a good time to rediscover its wonders. Poetry is the voice of the soul; it is a free-flowing form of expression. The best poetry comes to you when you write about feelings, observations, and images as they arrive.
Poetry is a powerful genre because it allows self-expression and thus can increase your sense of well-being. In addition, reading and writing poetry not only leads to healing and transformation, but it can make you a better writer.
The Many Benefits of Writing Poetry
In general, writing poetry fosters the development of keen observational skills because in order to write good poetry, you need to be in touch with all of your senses. For example, instead of saying that something is beautiful, it’s more compelling to show why something is beautiful. In practice, this may look like this: when writing about flowers, you might say that the color is radiant, and the fragrance is like honeysuckle. This technique is called, “showing rather than telling.”
Writing poetry can also be healing, especially when you write about events or experiences that you’re still coming to terms with or still processing.
Freestyle Poetry
If rhyming intimidates you, don’t worry, because modern day poetry has very little rhyme. I’m a fan of narrative poetry because it’s most akin to memoir writing. It is poetry that tells a story. In many ways, writing poetry can move you closer to your center of creativity. It also stimulates the right brain. Poetry can also help you claim your voice.
If you want to write poetry, my best advice is to listen to the voice in your head. Writing poetry can help transform your life and aid you in dealing with difficult issues.
Because poetry is a succinct genre where every word counts, it teaches you the power of words. Writing poetry teaches you how to be concise and get to the point of what you want to say. Poetry also encourages the creation of images and metaphors. It’s a good idea to provide many details in the poem and to be as specific as possible. When writing about someone else, consider having a photo of them nearby so you can easily visualize them.
You can find many of my poems here: Selected Poems.
What It Takes to Become a Poet
To become a good poet, it is important to read a lot of poetry for inspiration. It’s also a way to get some ideas about form. Sometimes it’s fun to listen to poets read their poems. In fact, after you write your poem, one way to edit it is to read it out loud. This is because poetry was meant to be a spoken form of expression.
Try These Prompts
Here are some good prompts to get started when you want to begin writing poetry:
- Title your poem “I remember.” Recall an event in your life and share all the details of it in your poem. The reader should feel as if they are remembering alongside you.
- Write an ode to someone you love. Provide details about why you love them.
- In poetic form, write a letter of apology to someone you disappointed, or you think you disappointed.
- Write a poem about your first boyfriend/girlfriend and what you remember about them and your relationship.
- You could write a poem about someone who has passed away by framing it as a present-day event that triggers a favorite memory of them.
- Write a poem about a secret you never told anyone.
- Describe your day in a snapshot.
- Write a poem about all the things you love.
Happy writing!
Further reading: Try Something New: Write a Poem and Stretch Your Brain.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you read poetry? What’s your favorite author? How about writing poetry – is it a favorite creative activity? What prompts do you use? If you haven’t written any poems yet, what’s stopping you?
