Have you ever read the lyrics of a Simon and Garfunkle song? Pure poetry. Want to write poems like that? Start copying them. Let me explain.
The Myth Of Creativity
Creativity is somewhat of a myth. It isn't that it doesn't exist, but people's ideas about it are mis-informed. Many believe that to be creative is to come up with something completely new. There isn't an artist or inventor out there who has done this.
Somebody had to write the first four-line verse or haiku poem, right? Now is everyone that uses these forms an uncreative copy-cat? No, of course not. We must copy forms, general ideas and techniques, so why not do it more systematically?
Poem Writing Tricks
Copy a poem you like, and then play with the elements. Part of the beauty of a poem is in the structure and the rhythm. Why not insert your own words into that, to see what happens?
Here is the last part of a poem titled "Gratitude." It started by painting a picture of the mountains,and then;
Words fail, as they should...
So there is nothing to say
There is nothing to say
There is nothing
Is nothing
Nothing...
But gratitude
Now, if you take the general "gimmick" of the diminishing lines, you could insert all sorts of thoughts. An example:
Pain returns, as it must...
And to where can I turn for relief?
To where can I turn?
Where can I?
Where?
But to life
Shameless? No more so than the second time somebody wrote a four-line verse. New words have created a new poem. In the context of a longer poem, this copying of form in one verse might not even be noticed.
What is creativity if you don't create something? Use whatever tricks and techniques you need to start creating poetry.
Steve Gillman has been playing with poetry for thirty years. He and his wife Ana created the game "Deal-A-Poem," which can be accessed for free at: http://www.dealapoem.com
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Footprints to Mantaro Valley (English version)In what retreat art hid?-Where... Read More
Do not be afraid to shine. This world needs what... Read More
I never thought I would have to say GOODBYE to... Read More
In this modern age of technology, busy lifestyles, and obsession... Read More
Real Power.One Tsunami, and all our armies, Seem belittled by... Read More
Advance: in Mr. Siluk's poetry one finds symbolist values, sensuous... Read More
[Episode Five]Arizona Blue-GunfighterThe Wolves Nest-in the North[Episode Five]Northern Minnesota Area?Winter... Read More
All Hail.Is your hospital full of aliens, despite new cleaning... Read More
Have you ever read the lyrics of a Simon and... Read More
I WANTED TO SAY IT WITH A BUNCH OF FLOWERS... Read More
English VersionThe Merchant of Copan [480 AD]Advance: The ballgame at... Read More
Supernatural PoetryHere are five poems,-what I call-death and supernatural poems.... Read More
My life has changedin so so many waysIt seems to... Read More
Memoirs of a Wasteland's RimIt still was light when she... Read More
Footprints to Mantaro Valley (Peru; in English and Spanish)In what... Read More
Five Poems from Home1) Remembering: Dorothy Parker [Dedicated to the... Read More
now is not the time to open open that great... Read More
Let's follow the poet to his Hell and heaven! Count... Read More
YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONGI THINK YOU GOT IT... Read More
When I hear your voice inside my head it makes... Read More
Fair Andes! Thy arms reach highOf iron-woven solid stone Thu... Read More
To many people contemporary poetry is a turn-off. The reason... Read More
Part oneI see them in the skies I hear them... Read More
Contract of DeathI heard today, the preacher say: "Daniel has... Read More
Chicken Soup is good for a coldSleep is good for... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..1)dying in the bar [sluggishly]yet, I would crawl too upto... Read More
BoyhoodOh me! Thy glorious days have flown! I mealy noticed,... Read More
Iquitos & the Amazon Part OneIt was December 2, l959,... Read More
There are many times I set up barriers and walls,... Read More
She raised me like I was her own daughter from... Read More
Kamalakanta was born in Burdwan India in the late 18th... Read More
Poet Stephen B. Wiley's first book of poetry, Hero Island,... Read More
[Episode Five]Arizona Blue-GunfighterThe Wolves Nest-in the North[Episode Five]Northern Minnesota Area?Winter... Read More
Two Poems and an Analysis ['Witness,' & 'An Old Love']WitnessMy... Read More
Phantom of the Rocks[Huancayo, Peru]Night falls deepUpon the traveler!Low, over... Read More
What's a prisoner to do when justice fails and... Read More
Thank youDedicated to soldiers and their loved onesFor those who... Read More
Is poetry too complicated for the average reader? Is it... Read More
now is not the time to open open that great... Read More
1.Evil's CreationThou knowith evil clings To tender peace-; Nor does... Read More
It's dark, it's cold, its' just six thirty,thoughts of sleep... 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
Ironically, the passion that can neutralize the repulsion for difficulties... Read More
1) Shadows of the Andes [or: Song to the Andes]I... Read More
To many people contemporary poetry is a turn-off. The reason... Read More
Sometimes we feel hard-pressed, Our backs against the wall;... Read More
Burning Autumn Leaves [1950s in St. Paul, Minnesota]My long steel... Read More
Mother's Day Poetry,I'm Sorry Mom!I'm sorry for the troubles ... Read More
The Monster Mash The Graveyard SmashHave you heard of the... Read More
Poetry |