You've been writing poetry since that first assignment in your high school writing class. You know the rules about writing poetry, right? Are there rules? Well, if you frequent the poetry forums across the Internet as much as I do, you'd find that there are a lot of amateur poets who adamantly declare that there are no rules for writing poetry and if someone even suggests reading poetry or books on poetry, many of the amateur poets will throw up a defensive front. My opinion seems to swing fervently toward the opposition. You have to know the rules before you break them; at least that's what I always say.
I know that writing a sonnet in iambic pentameter is an art that has been buried in the tombs of the renaissance, but understanding it, along with the numerous other dying closed forms of poetry, is a powerful tool when writing that prosy contemporary piece. Being a great poet demands an intricate understanding of the way in which language works its edges into a reader's conscience. A poem is a mosaic of sounds, syncopations, and images. All of the little fragments of a poem must work together in a unified fashion to culminate in something refreshing and new.
Refreshing and new? Well, you might wonder how understanding such archaic attributes of poetry such as meter and rhyme might help a contemporary poet craft a refreshing new poem. It is all about the sound and the innovation of it. Even scientists stand on the shoulders of those before them. You don't have to manage a perfect rhyme or a measured foot in a poem to be jumping from the inspiration of Shakespeare's sonnets, but having those rhythms and rhymes teetering in and out of the wrinkles in your brain will send a very subtle vibration of sound through your very own pieces.
In summary, read, read, read, know the rules, and then break the rules. Goodness help you, please break them.
Here are some references to help you along the way:
-Books:
The Practice of Poetry: by Robin Behn
Writing Poems: by Robert Wallace and Michelle Boisseau
A Poetry Handbook: by Mary Oliver
-Websites:
www.poetrylessons.org
www.poetrymagic.co.uk
http://www.unc .edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/poetry-explication.html
http://www.poetry-portal.com/poetry.html
-And don't forget to read some contemporary poetry:
www.poems.com
http://www.pedestalmagazine.com/
Devrie Paradowski is a freelance writer and poet. Her poetry has been published by several literary journals and she has written dozens of articles for various publications including "Poetry Renewal Magazine," and "Poetryscams.com." She is the author of the chapbook, "Something In the Dirt," which can be found at http://www.lulu.com/content/108560 . In 2001, Devrie founded a popular online literary community ( http://www.lulu.com/content/108560 ) that has become highly respected for some of the most honest and in-depth poetic critique on the Internet. In keeping with her commitment to inspire amateur writers to hone their skills, she also founded a local writer's group called, "The Fire and Ice Writer's Group."
efficient cleaning crew Lake Forest ..Footprints to Mantaro Valley (English version)In what retreat art hid?-Where... Read More
Phantom of the Rocks[Huancayo, Peru]Night falls deepUpon the traveler!Low, over... Read More
In this modern age of technology, busy lifestyles, and obsession... Read More
Says Mr. Dennis Siluk, when asked to review his poetry... Read More
I want to get closeI am afraid.Afraid of what... Read More
I get up in the morningAnd want to stay in... Read More
Take some time to stop and look at nature. Pick... Read More
You can show your poem to your mom, your spouse,... Read More
A poetic comment that just welled up inside my head... Read More
"Beautiful Dreamer" was written by Stephen Foster just before his... Read More
The concept of brief encounters, even romantic encounters, with a... Read More
I can see the cerulean blue of the skiesOr the... Read More
It was not me as I am now. It was... Read More
My eyes opened. I am still alive; Living on... Read More
There I sat, ninety-five degree weatherOutside; the bookstore caf?, was... Read More
Growing hurts sometimes; saying goodbye to friends, ... Read More
Cesar Vallejo: Black RosesBow down your head ol' poet- To... Read More
I will never think twice nor will I roll the... Read More
In the quiet of the arctic night- In its deep... Read More
Like a cat I slumber, blissfully unencumbered, Through eighty per... Read More
In the midst of darkness, there is light. In... Read More
"Song of the Great Zimbabwe"Across the African, winter's skyIn the... Read More
I am not the one I was before yesterday.I cannot... Read More
When I am climbing up, you are stepping down. When... Read More
I Shall Wait..On all the new mornings, and every singking... Read More
green cleaning service Deerfield ..Time goes by to quickly to hold your feelings inside... Read More
Here are three more poems by the author, Dennis Siluk,... Read More
[As Told by the Last] King: it was in the... Read More
I am not the one I was before yesterday.I cannot... Read More
Twilight, was now beginning. As forthe sun, it was down-down... Read More
Poems have different cores, or so I believe, and can... Read More
You can do and you can be whatever you want.... Read More
Five Poems from Home1) Remembering: Dorothy Parker [Dedicated to the... Read More
Old skin, once held tight Against her skeleton- Rose no... Read More
The concept of brief encounters, even romantic encounters, with a... Read More
Man UnbowedUnbowed by sin, the world of man, stands Upon... Read More
BoyhoodOh me! Thy glorious days have flown! I mealy noticed,... Read More
The Goat and the Ropewhere there were devils I saw... Read More
The light of all eternity shines with me now /... Read More
What's a prisoner to do when justice fails and... Read More
Most of my poems are written late at night, often,... Read More
1) Do?a Leonor's Revenge [1627 AD]Rafael Ortiz's fate Was... Read More
How I wonder what he's doing as I sit alone... Read More
YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONGI THINK YOU GOT IT... Read More
Black Blood, in Jeremiah's Vines [A Dream Poem]And I heard... Read More
Mother's Day Poetry,I'm Sorry Mom!I'm sorry for the troubles ... Read More
To many non-specialists of literature, poetry is deeply unsatisfying. There... Read More
You are to me my lifeline my security. That scares... Read More
Our home was warm in the shade of the trees... Read More
It's dark, it's cold, its' just six thirty,thoughts of sleep... Read More
Poetry |