How I Write Poetry

Hi!

Now, there are many ways to write a poem. Everyone has their own ways and i encourage everyone to try their own and find what works for them.

Tuning Into Your Body

Mine usually start with a feeling I am feeling at that time. For example, as i write this i am feeling a mix sadness (tends to always be present since losing her), tiredness, and a little anxiety. So, I would start by just being aware of my feelings and writing something that describes it. It doesn't have to be poetic or fancy, it can be simple easy words. Scan your body from feet up and just jot down anything you feel or sense which is forefront.

my feet feel a light tingle, knots in my stomach, a heaviness in my chest, slight temor in my hands, tiredness in my eyes, a little bit gritty.

Then using those feelings, draft out some stream of consciousness

Stream of Consciousness Writing

Sat upon my chair, feet firmly plant on what feels like bare wires, fists gripping my stomach and turning, as if kneading bread, hands trembling as if cold, but with sweat, the heaviness in my chest almost takes my breath away like standing face first into gale force winds, as i scrunch my eyes against the sand which blows into them.

That is a basis to work from. there are a mix of images, not really cohesive or original. But it's a start and can be developed. you may have seen the note pads with prompts which say "In English we say, I love you. In poetry we say...." and you have to make it poetic. That is what we will do with the stream of consciousness above. This is where you can start to find your voice and style. I lean towards dark imagery and language, others may be more ethereal, some humorous, etc. There is no wrong way. So, to develop on the above, we can break it down...

Developing Imagery

Sat upon my chair, feet firmly planted on what feels like bare wires.

This is to say that it feels like electricity flowing through my feet.

So, this could bring images of an electric chair (I told you i tend to go dark), so we can describe how it looks, set an image and picture.

Sat upon the cold wood,

where many have sat before,

to meet their end,

strapped unable to move,

anticipation and anxiety flowing through my body,

like the electricity waiting to end my existence.

It goes a little dark and exagerated from the initial feelings, but that is part of poetry at times. To take a feeling or emotion and zoom in, expand it and present it.

The next section would be

..."fists gripping my stomach and turning, as if kneading bread.."

This brings a new simile/metaphor into the mix, which doesnt really fit, although there is potential to try and make it fit if we look at the developed piece from above.

Wrists shackled by emotion to the rests,

hands trembling as if cradling ice,

but wet with sweat

My insides churning,

kneaded like the bread of my last meal,

stretched, pulled and pounded

This kept the bread reference by utilzing the idea developed in step one. Death row, last meal etc. Keeping the imagery going with this setting.

Now the next few lines...

".... the heaviness in my chest almost takes my breath away like standing face first into gale force winds, as i scrunch my eyes against the sand which blows into them."

We can reference the chair again here, using the imagery of the straps holding the chest against the seat, the grittiness of the eyes can be hardened tears and the wind can be the emotions from those watching the execution behind the glass.

Struggling against the binds

tight around my chest

restraining me in place

unable to move

the eyes behind the glass

glare with a force that could sail boats around the globe

taking my breath away,

i close my eyes,

to hide the tears

that leave crytsalized salt

behind the silk thin lids

which stings and scrapes

silently begging for it to be over

for these feelings to pass

pull the lever

set me free

We now have a simple poem taken from just being aware of what we were feeling in our bodies. it isnt going to win any awards or competitions, but considering we wrote this (i say we as i wouldnt have written it of not for you) in around five minutes, its something to develop or build upon, or maybe strip some lines out for a micro-poem. If you’re looking for quality micro poems… check out Wild ink and sunflowers on instagram. @Wild_Ink_And_SunFlowers

Editing and Shaping the Poem

Let's put it together in its entirety below, decide where stanzas should break to prevent it appearing as a wall of text and maybe tweak some language here and there. Some will say that you should exclude any words which are not necessary. Really trim the fat. I agree with this to an extent, but I also have a habit of writing longer pieces. Below, is the "final" piece (I say "final" as no poem or art is truly finished, just abandoned, otherwise you can tweak and tinker for eternity), with a few more inline edits made.

Sat upon the cold wood,

where many have sat before,

to meet their end,

strapped, unable to move,

anticipation flowing through my veins,

like the current waiting to end me.

Wrists shackled by emotion,

hands trembling as if cradling ice,

but slick with sweat

My insides churn,

kneaded like the bread of my last meal,

stretched, pulled and pounded.

Struggling against the binds

tight around my chest

restraining me in place

unable to move

the eyes behind the glass

glare with a force that could sail ships

taking my breath away.

I close my eyes,

to hide the tears

that leave crystalized salt

beneath silk-thin lids

Scraping, stinging,

silently begging for release

pull the lever

set me free.

Title

We now need a title, this can be the fun part or the stressful part. I play around with titles a lot and have some...... shall we say "different/unusual" titles.

Examples such as

I have a fever and the only prescription, isn't more cowbell

The uncaged bird, with Stockholm syndrome

The hidden are gallery of emotions carved into skin

Sometimes we may pick out a line or phrasing from the poem itself to use as the title.

In this instance maybe "The Current Waiting to End Me" would work well.

Or we can reference the metaphor of the piece, the electric chair and go with

"Sitting with Old Sparky"

or we can go a little "out there" and final a tenuous link to pop culture or other expressions or just something long and unnecessary (one of my favorites)...

Take a seat, Sir. They will be with you shortly".

Why Dark?

Why did I go dark with my writing? This is where you find your own voice and style, for me, dark has always been natural. I struggle with depression and other issues, if you have read my book, you will know that. So dark is like a comfort for me. Some people are more drawn to the light, or humorous etc. Again, there is no wrong way to write. Ultimately you write as true to yourself as you feel comfortable doing.

Your Turn!

You should now try it. Share with me if you want and I can post some on here! you don't have to break it down like I did, but you can. Maybe just give what you felt and then show what you wrote.