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Last updated on Nov 23, 2022

How to Write a Poem: Get Tips from a Published Poet

Ever wondered how to write a poem? For writers who want to dig deep, composing verse lets you sift the sand of your experience for new glimmers of insight. And if you’re in it for less lofty reasons, shaping a stanza from start to finish can teach you to have fun with language in totally new ways.

To help demystify the subtle art of writing verse, we chatted with Reedsy editor (and published poet) Lauren Stroh . In 8 simple steps, here's how to write a poem:

1. Brainstorm your starting point

2. free-write in prose first, 3. choose your poem’s form and style, 4. read for inspiration, 5. write for an audience of one — you, 6. read your poem out loud, 7. take a break to refresh your mind, 8. have fun revising your poem.

If you’re struggling to write your poem in order from the first line to the last, a good trick is opening with whichever starting point your brain can latch onto as it learns to think in verse.

Your starting point can be a line or a phrase you want to work into your poem, though it doesn’t have to take the form of language at all. It might be a picture in your head, as particular as the curl of hair over your daughter’s ear as she sleeps, or as capacious as the sea. It can even be a complicated feeling you want to render with precision — or maybe it's a memory you return to again and again. Think of this starting point as the "why" behind your poem, your impetus for writing it in the first place.

If you’re worried your starting point isn’t grand enough to merit an entire poem, stop right there. After all, literary giants have wrung verse out of every topic under the sun, from the disappointments of a post- Odyssey Odysseus to illicitly eaten refrigerated plums .

As Lauren Stroh sees it, your experience is more than worthy of being immortalized in verse.

"I think the most successful poems articulate something true about the human experience and help us look at the everyday world in new and exciting ways."

It may seem counterintuitive but if you struggle to write down lines that resonate, perhaps start with some prose writing first. Take this time to delve into the image, feeling, or theme at the heart of your poem, and learn to pin it down with language. Give yourself a chance to mull things over before actually writing the poem. 

Take 10 minutes and jot down anything that comes to mind when you think of your starting point. You can write in paragraphs, dash off bullet points, or even sketch out a mind map . The purpose of this exercise isn’t to produce an outline: it’s to generate a trove of raw material, a repertoire of loosely connected fragments to draw upon as you draft your poem in earnest.

Silence your inner critic for now

And since this is raw material, the last thing you should do is censor yourself. Catch yourself scoffing at a turn of phrase, overthinking a rhetorical device, or mentally grousing, “This metaphor will never make it into the final draft”? Tell that inner critic to hush for now and jot it down anyway. You just might be able to refine that slapdash, off-the-cuff idea into a sharp and poignant line.

Whether you’ve free-written your way to a beginning or you’ve got a couple of lines jotted down, before you complete a whole first draft of your poem, take some time to think about form and style. 

The form of a poem often carries a lot of meaning beyond the structural "rules" that it offers the writer. The rhyme patterns of sonnets — and the Shakespearean influence over the form — usually lend themselves to passionate pronouncements of love, whether merry or bleak. On the other hand, acrostic poems are often more cheeky because of the secret meaning that it hides in plain sight. 

Even if your material begs for a poem without formal restrictions, you’ll still have to decide on the texture and tone of your language. Free verse, after all, is as diverse a form as the novel, ranging from the breathless maximalism of Walt Whitman to the cool austerity of H.D. Where on this spectrum will your poem fall?

Choosing a form and tone for your poem early on can help you work with some kind of structure to imbue more meanings to your lines. And if you’ve used free writing to generate some raw material for yourself, a structure can give you the guidance you need to organize your notes into a poem. 

A poem isn’t a nonfiction book or a historical novel: you don’t have to accumulate reams of research to write a good one. That said, some outside reading can stave off writer’s block and inspire you throughout the writing process .

Build a short, personalized syllabus around your poem’s form and subject. Say you’re writing a sensorily rich, linguistically spare bit of free verse about a relationship of mutual jealousy between mother and daughter. In that case, you’ll want to read some key Imagist poems , alongside some poems that sketch out complicated visions of parenthood in unsentimental terms.

And if you don’t want to limit yourself to poems similar in form and style to your own, Lauren has you covered with an all-purpose reading list:

• The Dream of a Common Languag e by Adrienne Rich
• Anything you can get your hands on by Mary Oliver
• The poems “ Failures in Infinitives ” and “ Fish & Chips ” by Bernadette Mayer.
• I often gift Lunch Poems by Frank O’Hara to friends who write.
• Everyone should read the interviews from the Paris Review’s archives . It’s just nice to observe how people familiar with language talk when they’re not performing, working, or warming up to write.

Even with preparation, the pressure of actually producing verse can still awaken your inner metrophobe (or poetry-fearer). What if people don’t understand — or even misinterpret — what you’re trying to say? What if they don’t feel drawn to your work? To keep the anxiety at bay, Lauren suggests writing for yourself, not for an external audience.

"I absolutely believe that poets can determine the validity of their own success if they are changed by the work they are producing themselves; if they are challenged by it; or if it calls into question their ethics, their habits, or their relationship to the living world. And personally, my life has certainly been changed by certain lines I’ve had the bravery to think and then write — and those moments are when I’ve felt most like I’ve made it."

You might eventually polish your work if you decide to publish your poetry down the line. (If you do, definitely check out the rest of this guide for tips and a list of magazines to submit to.) But as your first draft comes together, treat it like it’s meant for your eyes only.

A good poem doesn’t have to be pretty: maybe an easy, melodic loveliness isn’t your aim. It should, however, come alive on the page with a consciously crafted rhythm, whether hymn-like or discordant. To achieve that, read your poem aloud — at first, line by line, and then all together as a complete text.

Trying out every line against your ear can help you weigh out a choice between synonyms — getting you to notice, say, the watery sound of “glacial”, the brittleness of “icy,” the solidity of “cold”.

Reading out loud can also help you troubleshoot line breaks that just don't feel right. Is the line unnaturally long, forcing you to rush through it or pause in the middle for a hurried inhale? If so, do you like that destabilizing effect, or do you want to literally give the reader some room to breathe? Testing these variations aloud is perhaps the only way to answer questions like these. 

While it’s incredibly exciting to complete a draft of your poem, and you might be itching to dive back in and edit it, it’s always advisable to take a break first. You don’t have to turn completely away from writing if you don’t want to. Take a week to chip away at your novel manuscript  or even muse idly on your next poetic project — so long as you distance yourself from this poem a little while. 

This is because, by this point, you’ve probably read out every line so many times the meaning has leached out of the syllables. With the time away, you let your mind refresh so that you can approach the piece with sharper attention and more ideas to refine it. 

At the end of the day, even if you write in a well-established form, poetry is about experimenting with language, both written and spoken. Lauren emphasizes that revising a poem is thus an open-ended process that requires patience — and a sense of play. 

"Have fun. Play. Be patient. Don’t take it seriously, or do. Though poems may look shorter than what you’re used to writing, they often take years to be what they really are. They change and evolve. The most important thing is to find a quiet place where you can be with yourself and really listen."

Is it time to get other people involved?

Want another pair of eyes on your poem during this process? You have options. You can swap pieces with a beta reader , workshop it with a critique group , or even engage a professional poetry editor like Lauren to refine your work — a strong option if you plan to submit it to a journal or turn it into the foundation for a chapbook.

Want a poetry expert to polish up your verse?

Professional poetry editors are on Reedsy. Sign up for free to meet them!

Learn how Reedsy can help you craft a beautiful book.

The working poet's checklist

If you decide to fly solo, here’s a checklist to work through as you revise:

✅ Hunt for clichés. Did you find yourself reaching for ready-made idioms at any point? Go back to the sentiment you were grappling with and try to capture it in stronger, more vivid terms.

✅ See if your poem begins where it should. Did you take a few lines of throat-clearing to get to the actual point? Try starting your poem further down.

✅ Make sure every line belongs. As you read each line, ask yourself: how does this contribute to the poem as a whole? Does it advance the theme, clarify the imagery, set or subvert the reader’s expectations? If you answer with something like, “It makes the poem sound nice,” consider cutting it.

Once you’ve worked your way through this checklist, feel free to brew yourself a cup of tea and sit quietly for a while, reflecting on your literary triumphs. 

Whether these poetry writing tips have awakened your inner Wordsworth, or sent you happily gamboling back to prose, we hope you enjoyed playing with poetry —  and that you learned something new about your approach to language.

And if you are looking to share your poetry with the world, the next post in this guide can show the ropes regarding how to publish your poems! 

Anna Clarke says:

29/03/2020 – 04:37

I entered a short story competition and though I did not medal, one of the judges told me that some of my prose is very poetic. The following year I entered a poetry competition and won a bronze medal. That was my first attempt at writing poetry. I am more aware of figurative language in writing prose now. I am learning to marry the two. I don't have any poems online.

Comments are currently closed.

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Poetry Writing

Tips for improving your poetry writing skills.

The section “Poetry Writing Skills” in our guide provides tips and techniques for improving your poetry writing skills. It covers a variety of ways to improve your poetry writing including:

Reading widely: Reading poetry written by other poets can help to expose you to different styles, forms, and techniques, and can inspire you to develop your own unique voice and style.

Experimenting with different forms and structures: Poets can try their hand at different forms of poetry, such as sonnets, haikus, and free verse, and explore different structures and techniques to find the one that works best for them.

Using descriptive language and imagery: Using descriptive language and imagery can help to bring your poetry to life and create a more vivid and engaging experience for your readers.

Paying attention to rhythm and sound: Paying attention to the rhythm and sound of your poetry can help to create a more musical and engaging experience for your readers.

Revising and editing your work: Revising and editing your work can help to improve its structure, imagery, and overall impact on readers.

Overall, the section “Poetry Writing Skills” provides tips and techniques for poets to improve their poetry writing skills. It covers the different ways to improve their skills by reading widely, experimenting with different forms, using descriptive language and imagery, paying attention to rhythm and sound, and revising and editing their work. It is designed to help poets to become more confident and proficient in their writing and to develop their own unique voice and style.

Ideas For Poems: Finding Inspiration

Our section on “Ideas for Poems” is designed to help poets find inspiration for their work and develop their own unique voice and style. It covers different ways to get inspired, from observing the world around to exploring different themes, structures, and techniques. It provides prompts, ideas and tips to help poets to generate new and exciting ideas for their poems.

Why Write Poetry?

Fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and the written word.

Encouraging critical thinking and reflection.

Enhancing creativity and imagination.

Improving language skills and vocabulary.

Poetry writing can be a highly beneficial and rewarding activity for many people. It is a powerful way to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas, and can help to improve writing skills, creativity, and self-expression. Some of the key benefits of poetry writing include:

Emotional catharsis: Poetry allows individuals to explore their emotions and feelings in a safe and creative way, helping to release pent-up emotions and reduce stress and anxiety.

Improved writing skills: Poetry often requires a high level of focus on language, structure, and imagery, which can help to improve writing skills, vocabulary, grammar and learning poetic elements.

Increased creativity: Poetry provides a unique form of creative expression, where individuals can experiment with different styles, forms, and techniques, and push their own creative boundaries.

Self-expression: Poetry can be a powerful tool for self-expression, allowing individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to communicate them to others.

Empathy and understanding: Poetry can be a powerful way to connect with others, by providing a window into the emotions and experiences of others.

Self-discovery: Writing poetry can help people to better understand themselves, their emotions and experiences, and can help them to uncover new insights and perspectives.

Overall, poetry writing can be a valuable and fulfilling activity that can help to improve emotional well-being, writing skills, and creativity, while also providing a powerful means of self-expression and connection with others.

Poetry Writing Exercises & Prompts

Our guide to “Poetry Writing Exercises & Writing Prompts” provides a variety of exercises and prompts to help poets generate new creative writing ideas and improve their poetry writing skills. It covers different exercises such as free-writing, theme-based, form-based, imagery-based and rhythm-based, to help poets to find new inspiration, explore different emotions and perspectives, experiment with different forms and structures, and to create more vivid and engaging poetry.

An Overview of Our Guide to Poetry Writing

Our guide to poetry writing is divided into three main sub-topics to help aspiring poets develop their skills and find inspiration for their work. There are other options to help with writing poems such as literary devices. While they are useful, we have many other choices available also.

Poetry Writing Skills: This section of the guide covers the basic skills needed to write poetry in a poetic form, including understanding poetic forms and devices, learning to use imagery and metaphor effectively, and developing a strong sense of voice and style. It also covers tips for editing and revising poems, as well as advice for getting published.

Ideas for Poems: This section of the guide provides inspiration and prompts for generating ideas for poems, including tips for observing and writing about the world around you, using personal experiences and emotions as inspiration, and exploring different themes and subjects. Additionally, it covers how to use real-life experiences to inspire poetry, encouraging readers to draw on their own emotions and observations to create powerful and relatable work.

Poetry Writing Exercises and Prompts: This section of the guide includes a variety of exercises and writing prompts to help poets practice their craft and develop their skills, such as writing in different forms, experimenting with different structures and techniques, and using specific words, phrases, or images as inspiration. The prompts will help to push the poets creative boundaries and to explore new ways of writing different kinds of poetry such as free verse poetry.  The guide covers the various forms of poetry, from traditional sonnets to modern free verse, and provides examples and exercises to help poets experiment with different forms and find the one that suits them best.

Overall, our guide to the poetry writing process is designed to help poets of all levels improve their skills, find inspiration, and develop their own unique voice and style. It includes a section on how to get published, providing advice on how to submit poetry to literary journals and magazines, as well as tips for building a strong online presence and networking with other poets. Additionally, it covers how to write poetry that is accessible to the readers and how to make it relatable, with practical advice on how to convey complex ideas and emotions in a clear and concise way.

Our guide to writing poems in an excitingly wonderful way mixes well with Grammarly’s post about How to Write a Poem . It is a great guide if you’re ready to begin your own poem writing adventure. We have explored with concrete words and brought to the surface great ideas for anyone to get started writing epic poetry.

Remember to use figurative language, a rhyme scheme and some helpful ideas to get your creative juices flowing! Great poetry always begins with an idea.

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Starting from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Poetry

• 3 February 2023

Why poetry?

Where did i start, a path of creative self-expression, forget editing & go with the flow, show, not tell, write for one person, make it relatable, read it aloud, edit and evolve, trust the process.

I’m sure if you are reading this, at least for once you would have written poetry or attempted to write one. Whether a student, teacher, parent, someone from a literary background, homemaker or an uneducated person, everyone makes an effort to write a poem at some point in their lifetime. The simple reason behind this is that poetry is a means of self-expression, to capture emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a creative and imaginative way. Here’s a beginner’s guide to writing poetry from scratch.

Poetry can be used to tell a story, convey a message, evoke a feeling, or simply play with language. Writing poetry can also be a form of therapy, allowing people to work through difficult emotions and explore their inner selves. Additionally, poetry has been a significant part of human culture for thousands of years, passing down stories, beliefs, and traditions from one generation to the next.

So whatever your reason for writing poetry be, know that you are not alone and every expression matters. You don’t need a degree in literature or great writing skills to pen poetry. If you don’t believe me, let me tell you how I started writing one. It is a little embarrassing for me to put it here but then if it could help you see a possibility for your own poetry-writing journey, then why not, right?

When I was around 11 years old (that’s 23 years back) I started writing and my very first fascination was nature and it still remains to be so. My ‘idea’ of poetry at that time was just about lines ending with rhymes. This is how my very first poem, started (don’t laugh at it; it was a kid’s expression then!):

Do you see that? At this age, after years of writing experience, I can see so many things flawed in the above stanza. For one, it has to be God’s ‘creation’ & not ‘creature’ and the whole thing looks like a ‘forced rhyming’ just to call it poetry. Don’t even ask me about the rest of the stanzas. But wait, does it matter that it was flawed? Absolutely no; because I see it as a ‘start’.

Yes, that day, a small kid started her journey towards self-expression and all that mattered to her were words that helped her make sense of what was happening around her and also inside her mind. And my dear friend, that’s all that should matter to you too when you are starting to pen poetry.

Writing poetry is a path of creative self-expression.

Choose a theme that talks to you

Now that you know what really matters, let’s get to the act of writing. All you need is an intention to write one. Firstly, choose a theme that talks to you or tap into an emotion that you are currently experiencing. That way you can easily get into the flow of writing instead of getting about it mechanically. Start somewhere, anywhere but just start. It really doesn’t matter if you write a great starting line or not, trust me!

If you are still stuck wondering where to start, then simply borrow a line/phrase from any book you read or a poem you liked. You can later replace the first line with something of your own; it really works. And yeah, it is not copying, it’s simply taking inspiration.

If you ask any of the writers or poets, they will tell you how most times their first drafts end up nothing but crap. So fret not about perfection and simply add one word after the other. Remember, just one word after the other. Easy, right? For beginners, free verse is the best bet but if you are in the mood for experimentation with different forms like haiku, lyrical poems, etc, then go for it. Just don’t let the structure restrict the flow of your ideas.

How To Write Better Poetry

Poetry is enriched with vivid imagery (descriptions). Showing and not telling is a writing technique used to create vivid and engaging descriptions by allowing readers to experience and interpret events and emotions, rather than just being told about them. All you need to do is to tap a little deeper into your sense of touch, vision, hearing, smell or taste. Here are some examples of showing and not telling:

• Telling: The food was delicious. Showing: The flavors exploded in his mouth as he savored each bite of the perfectly cooked biriyani.
• Telling: She was sad. Showing: Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sat alone, staring blankly out the window.
• Telling: The view was breathtaking. Showing: The sun set over the mountains, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange and taking his breath away.

Every individual has different perspectives and it’s the ability to put our perspectives out loud and clear that matters. So, loosen up, leave your hesitations and write for one person-yourself. Even if you plan to publish, it’s just you and the other person who is reading that is involved in this equation. So write for either yourself or just one reader. That way, the connection between you and the reader is easily established.

Have you noticed that a song lyrics appeals to you so much that it feels it was written just for you? Well, that’s where relatability comes into the picture. Even while you are writing your personal experiences, try and make it relatable to the reader.

To make a poem written from personal experience relatable to the reader, you can focus on universal themes and emotions that are common to many people. This can include topics such as love, loss, joy, fear, hope, etc. Additionally, you can use concrete and specific details that paint a vivid picture of your experiences and help the reader connect with them on an emotional level.

Avoid using jargon or uncommon terminology that may confuse or alienate the reader. Finally, you can use literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, and simile to enhance the emotional impact of the poem.

Reading your poem aloud can help you to identify and correct any issues in your writing, and to gain a better understanding of how the poem will be received by an audience. This is when you will get an idea of how the usage of words complement each other or not, whether is there a rhythmic flow to the poem, is the tone and theme of the poem are conveyed or not, etc.

So, own your poem and read it aloud to help you understand the nuances intuitively. It may sound difficult but try and see. You will get better at it with every poem.

Now that you know how your poetry has turned out and how it sounds while reading, it’s time that you make the edits and polish your poem. Though editing may take time to learn, it’s still your poem to experiment and evolve. Take charge of it and check the tone and mood of the poem. Make sure they match the content and the emotional impact you want to convey.

Read the poem several times, paying attention to each line and stanza. Look for areas that could be improved, such as awkward phrasing or unclear meaning. Consider using synonyms, metaphors, and similes to add depth and impact. Check the structure of the poem. Make sure each stanza and line break serves a purpose, and that the poem has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Finally, have someone else read the poem and provide feedback. This can give you a fresh perspective and help you to identify areas that could be improved.

Poetry is a creative form of self-expression. So, trust the process and evolve with each piece of writing. Also, poetry gives you the liberty to break the rules and simply have fun. So what stops you from writing a poetry, today? Get creative. Get bold. Get writing!

P.S. At the start of this post you read the childish poetry that I started with. To know how my writing has evolved over years, you can check these two poems (click on the below images) that are inspired by my all-time fascination with nature. You will see that with years, the experiences and perspectives have evolved. And, that is all that I wish for you to know, so you honour your expressions and emotions in verses without any hesitation.

How I Fell in Love With Her

If Only You Wake Up To Become the Sunlight

Hope this post helps. If you are just beginning to pen poetry, feel free to post it in the comments or share it on Twitter and tag me @PoetryPromising .

If you are an established poet, do share your very first piece of poetry. Let others be inspired.

Happy Poetrying!

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5 Tips for Poetry Writing: How to Get Started Writing Poems

Hannah Yang

Poetry is a daunting art form to break into.

There are technically no rules for how to write a poem , but despite that—or perhaps because of it—learning how to write a successful poem might feel more difficult than learning how to write a successful essay or story.

There are many reasons to try your hand at poetry, even if you’re primarily a prose writer. Here are just a few:

• Practice writing stronger descriptions and imagery
• Unlock a new side of your creative writing practice
• Learn how to wield language in a more nuanced way

Learning how to write poetry may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

In this article, we’ll cover five of our favorite tips to get started writing poetry.

How Do You Start Writing Poetry?

How do you write a poem from a new perspective, how do you write a meaningful poem, how do you write a poem about a theme, what are some different types of poetry, tip 1: focus on concrete imagery.

One of the best ways to start writing poetry is to use concrete images that appeal to the five senses.

The idea of starting with the specific might feel counterintuitive, because many people think of poetry as a way to describe abstract ideas, such as death, joy, or sorrow.

It certainly can be. But each of these concepts has been written about extensively before. Try sitting down and writing an original poem about joy—it’s hard to find something new to say about it.

If you write about a specific experience you’ve had that made you feel joy, that will almost certainly be unique, because nobody has lived the same experiences you have.

That’s what makes concrete imagery so powerful in poetry.

A concrete image is a detail that has a basis in something real or tangible. It could be the texture of your daughter’s hair as you braid it in the morning, or the smell of a food that reminds you of home.

The more specific the image is, the more vivid and effective the poem will become.

Concrete imagery: Example

Harlem by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Notice how Langston Hughes doesn’t directly write about dreams, except for the very first line. After the first line, he uses concrete images that are very specific and appeal to the five senses: “dry up like a raisin in the sun,” “stink like rotten meat,” “sags like a heavy load.”

He conveys a deeper message about an abstract concept—dreams—using these specific, tangible images.

Concrete Imagery: Exercise

Examine your surroundings. Describe what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell.

Through these concrete images, try to evoke a specific feeling (e.g., nostalgia, boredom, happiness) without ever naming that feeling in the poem.

Once you've finished writing, you can use ProWritingAid’s Sensory Check to see which of the five senses you've used the most in your imagery. Most writers favor one or two senses, like in the example below, which can resonate with some readers but alienate others.

Sign up for a free ProWritingAid account to try the Sensory Check.

Bonus Tip: Start with a free verse poem, which is a poem with no set format or rhyme scheme. You can punctuate it the same way you would punctuate normal prose. Free verse is a great option for beginners, because it lets you write freely without limitations.

Tip 2: Play with Perspective

A persona poem is a poem told in the first-person POV (point of view) from the perspective of anything or anyone. This could include a famous person, a figure from mythology, or even an inanimate object.

The word persona comes from the Latin word for mask . When you write a persona poem, it’s like you’re putting on a mask to see the world through a new lens.

If you’re a new poet and you haven’t found your own voice yet, a persona poem is a great way to experiment with a unique style.

Some persona poems are narrative poems, which tell a story from a specific point of view. Others are lyric poems, which focus more on the style and sound of the poem instead of telling a story.

You can write from the perspective of a pop star, a politician, or a figure from fable or myth. You can try to imagine what it feels like to be a pair of jeans or a lawn mower or a fountain pen. There are no limits except your own creativity.

Play with Perspective: Example

Anne Hathaway by Carol Ann Duffy

Item I gyve unto my wief my second best bed … (from Shakespeare’s will)

The bed we loved in was a spinning world of forests, castles, torchlight, cliff-tops, seas where he would dive for pearls. My lover’s words were shooting stars which fell to earth as kisses on these lips; my body now a softer rhyme to his, now echo, assonance; his touch a verb dancing in the centre of a noun. Some nights I dreamed he’d written me, the bed a page beneath his writer’s hands. Romance and drama played by touch, by scent, by taste. In the other bed, the best, our guests dozed on, dribbling their prose. My living laughing love— I hold him in the casket of my widow’s head as he held me upon that next best bed.

In this poem, Carol Ann Duffy writes from the perspective of Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare.

She imagines what the wife of this famous literary figure might think and feel, with lines like “Some nights I dreamed he’d written me.”

The poem isn’t written in Shakespearean English, but it uses diction and vocabulary that’s more old-fashioned than the English we speak today, to evoke the feeling of Shakespeare’s time period.

Play with Perspective: Exercise

Write a persona poem from the perspective of a fictional character out of a book or movie. You can tell an important story from their life, or simply try to capture the feeling of being in their head for a moment.

If this character lives in a different time period or speaks in a specific dialect, try to capture that in the poem’s voice.

Tip 3: Write from Life

The best poems are the ones that feel authentic and come from a place of truth.

Brainstorm your own personal experiences. Are there any stories from your life that evoke strong feelings for you? How can you tell that story through a poem?

Try to avoid clichés here. If you want to write about a universal experience or feeling, try to find an entry point into that feeling that’s unique to your life.

Maybe your first hobby was associated with a specific pair of shoes. Maybe your first encounter with shame came from breaking a specific promise to your grandfather. Any of these details could be the launching point for a poem.

Write from Life: Example

Discord in Childhood By D.H. Lawrence

Outside the house an ash-tree hung its terrible whips, And at night when the wind arose, the lash of the tree Shrieked and slashed the wind, as a ship’s Weird rigging in a storm shrieks hideously.

Within the house two voices arose in anger, a slender lash Whistling delirious rage, and the dreadful sound Of a thick lash booming and bruising, until it drowned The other voice in a silence of blood, ’neath the noise of the ash.

Here, D.H. Lawrence writes about the suffering he endured as a child listening to his parents arguing. He channels his own memories and experiences to create a profoundly relatable piece.

Write from Life: Exercise

Go to your phone’s camera roll, or a physical photo album, and find a photo from your life that speaks to you. Write a poem inspired by that photo.

What does that part of your life mean to you? What were your thoughts and feelings at that point in your life?

Tip 4: Save the Theme for the End

In a poem, the last line is often the most important. These are the words that echo in your reader’s head after they’re done reading.

Many poems will tell a story or depict a series of images, allowing you to draw your own conclusions about what it’s trying to say, and then conclude with the takeaway at the very end. Think of it like a fable you might tell a child—often, the moral of the story comes at the end.

In sonnets it’s a common trend for the final couplet to summarize the theme of the whole poem.

Save the Theme: Example

Resumé by Dorothy Parker

Razors pain you; Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause cramp. Guns aren’t lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live.

Here, Dorothy Parker doesn’t make the poem’s meaning clear until the very last line: “You might as well live.” The poem feels fun, almost like a song, and its true meaning doesn’t become obvious until after you’ve finished reading the poem.

Save the Theme: Exercise

Pick your favorite proverb or adage, such as “Actions speak louder than words.” Write a poem that uses that proverb or adage as the closing line.

Until the closing line, don’t comment on the deeper meaning in the rest of the poem—instead, tell a story that builds up to that theme.

Tip 5: Try a Poetic Form

Up until now, we’ve been writing in blank verse because it’s the most freeing. Sometimes, though, adding limitations can spark creativity too.

You can use a traditional poetic form to create the structure and shape of your poem.

If you have a limited number of lines to use, you’ll concentrate more on being concise and focused. Great poetry is minimalistic—no word is unnecessary. Using a form is a way to practice paring back to the words you absolutely need, and to start thinking about sound and rhyme.

The rules of a poetic form are never set in stone. It’s okay to experiment, and to pick and choose which rules you want to follow. If you want to use a form’s rhyme scheme but ignore its syllable count, for example, that’s perfectly fine.

Let’s look at some examples of poetic forms you can try, and the benefits of each one.

The haiku is a form of Japanese poetry made of three short, unrhymed lines. Traditionally, the first line contains 5 syllables, the second line contains 7 syllables, and the last contains 5 syllables.

Because each haiku must be incredibly concise, this form is a great way to practice economy of language and to learn how to convey a lot with a little. Even more so than with most other poetic forms, you have to think about each word and whether or not it pulls its weight in the poem as a whole.

The Old Pond by Matsuo Bashō

An old silent pond A frog jumps into the pond— Splash! Silence again.

The limerick is a 5-line poem with a sing-songy rhyme scheme and syllable count.

Limericks tend to be humorous and witty, so if you’re usually a comedic writer, they can be a great form for learning how to write poetry. You can treat the poem as a joke that builds up to a punchline.

Untitled Limerick by Edward Lear

There was an Old Man with a beard Who said, "It is just as I feared! Two Owls and a Hen, Four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard!"

The sonnet is a 14-line poetic form, invented in Italy in the 13th century.

There are multiple types of sonnet. One of the most well-known forms is the Shakespearean sonnet, which is divided into three quatrains (4-line stanzas) and one couplet (2-line stanza).

Almost every professional poet has tried a sonnet at some point, from classical poets such as William Shakespeare , John Milton , and John Donne , as well as contemporary poets such as Kim Addonizio , R.S. Gwynn , and Cathy Park Hong .

Sonnets are great for practicing more advanced poetry. Their form forces you to think about rhyme and meter.

Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no, it is an ever fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wand’ring barque, Whose worth’s unknown although his height be taken. Love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle’s compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

The villanelle is a 19-line poem with two lines that recur over and over throughout the poem.

The word “villanelle” comes from the Italian villanella , meaning rustic song or dance, because the two lines that are repeated resemble the chorus of a folk song. Using this form helps you to think about the sound and musicality of your writing.

Mad Girl’s Love Song by Sylvia Plath

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead; I lift my lids and all is born again. (I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red, And arbitrary blackness gallops in: I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane. (I think I made you up inside my head.)

God topples from the sky, hell’s fires fade: Exit seraphim and Satan’s men: I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I fancied you’d return the way you said, But I grow old and I forget your name. (I think I made you up inside my head.)

I should have loved a thunderbird instead; At least when spring comes they roar back again. I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead. (I think I made you up inside my head.)

Try a Poetic Form: Exercise

Pick your favorite poetic form (sonnet, limerick, haiku, or villanelle) and try writing a poem in that structure.

Remember that you don’t have to follow all the rules—pick the ones that spark your imagination, and ignore the ones that don’t.

These are our five favorite tips to get started writing poems. Feel free to try each of them, or to mix and match them to create something entirely new.

Have you tried any of these poetry methods before? Which ones are your favorites? Let us know in the comments.

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Whether you’re writing poetry for a class or as a hobby, it can be difficult to get started. Precisely how do you write a poem, and how to write a good poem at that? Do poems have to rhyme? How to write a free verse poem? The questions are endless, but the process is more or less the same.

So let’s unravel the art of poem-writing! We’ll tell you everything from how to start a poem to how to end one. But first, you’d probably want to go through our article on what a poem is , its elements, and its types. Now, let’s get started!

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Here’s how to write a poem:

• Read at least ten other poems
• List topics you feel passionate about
• Consider poetic form, but not too much
• Start writing, prioritizing sound
• Google synonyms, antonyms, and rhyming words
• Create original and striking imagery
• Use literary devices
• Choose an appropriate title
• Edit and proofread your poem

As you can see, this is a complete guide on how to write a poem for beginners. Let’s take an in-depth look.

1. Read at least ten other poems

All good poem writing comes from reading. If you want your poem to resonate with readers, you need to find out what resonates with you. Ideally, you should be a habitual reader of poetry. But if you’re writing a poem for class or tying it out as a hobby, try reading at least ten different types of poems . 

Here are some poems you should read as a beginner:

• The Sun Rising by John Donne (Metaphysical poem)
• In Kyoto… by Matsuo Basho (Haiku)
• Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare (Sonnet)
• I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth (Pastoral lyric)
• Because I could not stop for Death by Emily Dickinson (Lyrical poem)
• The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (Narrative poem)
• Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll (Nonsense poem)
• Howl by Allen Ginsberg (Free verse, “Beat epic”)
• Tonight by Agha Shahid Ali (Ghazal)
• Concrete Cat by Dorthi Charles (Concrete poetry)

Likely, you won’t understand many of these poems on the first read; most readers don’t. Read them three or four times and once you get the gist, look up their explanations. That’ll clear things up and show you the possibilities in every type of poetry.

2. List topics you feel passionate about

Do you want to know how to write good poetry? Know what you’re writing about. Your poem will ring hollow if you write from a shallow state of mind.

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” —William Wordsworth

Now, emotion is quite important in poetry, but your poem doesn’t always have to come from an emotional place. You should, however, care deeply about your topic. You can write a good poem only if the topic matters to you.

Here’s how you can narrow down some topics:

• Reflect on your life experiences, friendship, family, romance, joy, and heartbreak.
• Think about philosophy: What are your big existential questions?
• Observe plants, animals, and natural phenomena and document how they make you feel.
• Ponder upon the social issues around you.
• Try freewriting and journaling.
• If you want to challenge yourself, use poetry writing prompts .

3. Consider poetic form, but not too much

The type of poem you write can affect your poem-writing process. A haiku, for example, dwells on stark images whereas a limerick is likely to be funny. If you really want to try your hand at a concrete poem, your theme, word choice, and tone will change accordingly. Plus, some forms like sonnet or ghazal are inherently trickier than a haiku or free verse.

So, you should consider the poetic form you’d be most comfortable with. Make sure not to get caught up in the rules, though. Everyone’s creative process is different. Some poets thrive under the limits of form while others prefer the freedom of composition. Find what works for you and practice it a few times.

4. Start writing, prioritizing sound

Sound is incredibly important in a poem: It’s responsible for rhythm, which makes poetry pleasing to read. So when you begin to write, pay attention to how your words sound together. Try to create rhyming words, consonance, and assonance as you write. If you’re unsure about this, watch some poetry recitations online and compare them to written poems. This will help you “hear” the words as you write them down.

Consonance:

“Na r y a g r in g r inne d R u d olph R ee d ” — The Ballad of Rudolph Reed by Gwendolyn Brooks

“The lady is a s i ght

        a m i ght

        a l i ght” — Le sporting-club de Monte Carlo by James Baldwin

You’re probably wondering how to start a poem when you’ve never done it before. It’s simple, really: Just start! No one’s first attempt is Nobel-worthy, but that’s not the point. Simply focus on getting your words out as creatively as you can. If you happen to use a startling image or a tender metaphor while you’re at it, all the better!

It’s best to use pen and paper on your first try. It’s not only easier to organize your thoughts and cancel out lines, but also quicker. Plus, physical activity can help you focus better. 

Does poetry have to rhyme? No, poetry does not have to rhyme. Many poems achieve a musical effect through assonance alone while many others don’t have a musical effect at all. It all depends on your taste and preference while writing poems!

5. Google synonyms, antonyms, and rhyming words

As beginners, it’s difficult to find the right words for your poem. So it’s perfectly fine to use Google or other tools to look for rhyming words, synonyms, or homophones . Even seasoned poets sometimes have to google synonyms while writing poems!

Make sure you’re not asking an AI to produce a poem for you, though. That would defeat the purpose of the exercise! (Not to mention, AI-written poems lack originality, nuance, and soul.) But AI tools can be extremely useful while hunting for that slippery word that’s just the right fit in your line.

6. Create original and striking imagery

Imagery is the art of painting a picture using words, and you’re likely to do this in your poem without even realizing it. So pay attention to the images you create and make sure they’re not typical. This is quite important when learning how to write poetry for beginners. Images like a rose, the moon, and the nightingale are so overdone in poetry that they can cheapen your poem.

Depending on the tone and theme of your poem, imagery can even be jarring and disturbing. Here’s an example of how to write such a poem:

“What a thrill –

My thumb instead of an onion.

The top quite gone

Except for a sort of hinge

A flap like a hat,

Dead white.

Then that red plush.” — Cut by Sylvia Plath

Observe how Plath creates the original and raw image of the cut thumb. She uses metaphor (hinge of skin), simile (a flap like a hat), and color (dead white, red plush). You can also describe the senses of sound, smell, taste, and touch to create unique images.

So, make sure that the images you use are vivid and striking. Also, check whether they’re appropriate for your poem: Your images shouldn’t stick out for the wrong reason!

7. Use literary devices

Remember consonance and assonance? Those are literary devices or tools that make your writing more interesting to read. There are more of these, and you should use them in your poem:

Simile: Comparing dissimilar objects using “as” or “like”.

“O my Luve is like a red, red rose” — A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns

Metaphor: Comparing two objects by saying that one thing is another.

“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers -” — “Hope” is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson

Personification : Giving human characteristics to non-human entities.

“The fog comes

on little cat feet.” — Fog by Carl Sandburg

Symbolism: Using symbols to depict ideas or qualities.

The raven in Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Raven symbolizes the narrator’s descent into madness.

Oxymoron: Placing contradictory terms together.

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” — Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement.

“Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay.” — The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope

Repetition: Repeating a word or phrase for impact.

“Break, break, break,

On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!” — Break, Break, Break by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Juxtaposition: Placing two things together for a direct comparison.

“Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.” — Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

Of all the tips on how to write a poem, this can be the toughest for beginners. In the beginning, using these poetic devices may come off as crafty or put-upon, but you’ll get better at it with practice. When in doubt, think of proverbs and adages: You’ll find the best figures of speech used naturally!

8. Choose an appropriate title

A poem deserves a fitting title; it’s sort of a crowning moment while writing poetry! If you’ve got a strong first line in your poem, you can just use that as the title. Another method is to use the central image, symbol, or theme of your poem as the title. You can even use an interesting line connected to your poem, so your title starts the poem before your first line does.

Whatever route you choose, the title of your poem should be impactful and fitting for the poem. Here are some great examples:

• Night Sky With Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong
• Wild nights – Wild nights! By Emily Dickinson
• The Language of Dust by Asotto Saint
• A Small Needful Fact by Ross Gay
• [Didn’t Sappho say her guts clutched up like this?] by Marylyn Hacker

9. Edit and proofread your poem

The biggest rule of editing any document is to leave it alone for at least a week. This way, you can come back to your poem with a fresh, (slightly more) objective perspective. If you spend this time reading, you’ll have many examples of how to use literary devices in a poem. Enriched with this new knowledge, you can examine your poem and improve it further.

Here’s a poetry editing checklist for your poem:

• Read your poem aloud. Can you improve its rhythm and sound?
• If you’ve followed a meter, count the syllables and check the stress pattern.
• Check line breaks and stanzas to see if the poem can be more impactful if it’s structured differently.
• Examine your word choice and try out variations and synonyms where you’re unsure.
• Check your images: Are they vivid? Are they appropriate?
• Ensure you aren’t using any cliches.
• Remove all spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors .

The last step can be tricky for new poets since you have to balance poetic license with readability. This is precisely where poetry editing services can step in, helping you refine your poem with expert advice. If you can’t hire an editor, seek feedback on your poem from family, friends, or teachers.

That’s about everything you need to know about how to write a poem! Now, start reading poems so you can start writing one. You can begin brainstorming and list down all ideas for poem writing. If you’d like some more writing tips, here are some resources that can help:

• What Is Show, Don’t Tell? (Meaning, Examples & 6 Tips)
• How to Write a Novel in Past Tense? 3 Steps & Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i end a poem, how do i get started with writing a poem, how can i make a poem more rhythmic and musical.

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9 Essential Poetry Writing Techniques For Beginners: A Complete Guide

Poetry writing techniques.

Diving into poetry can feel like wandering through a beautiful, mysterious forest—exciting but a bit intimidating.

Our guide is your trusty map, showing you how to wield these techniques and  craft verses  that resonate and captivate. Get ready—your  poetic journey  awaits!

Key Takeaways

Table of contents, the importance of poetic techniques.

They turn simple phrases into rich experiences and help readers feel emotions and see images in their minds.

Poets use tools like  alliteration, assonance, and rhyme  to make their work memorable.

These techniques give poems a rhythm that can make you feel like you’re dancing through the verses.

Metaphors take this further by saying something is something else entirely, deepening the meaning.

By  mastering poetic devices , writers create worlds that readers can get lost in. They learn how to say more with less and connect deeply with those who read their creations.

Essential Poetic Techniques for Beginners

To craft verses that resonate and captivate, mastering a few essential poetic techniques is critical – these are the tools that will shape your raw thoughts into structured elegance and expressive power.

Rhyming creates a musical rhythm in poetry, making it more memorable and enjoyable to read or listen to.

Think about popular nursery rhymes you heard as a child; they stick with us because of their simple yet effective rhyming patterns.

To master musicality in your poems, mix up your rhyme scheme.

The key is to create flow without sounding forced. Rhyming isn’t just for classic forms like sonnets or ballads— modern free verse  can play with partial rhymes to add subtle harmony.

Moving from rhyming to repetition, we dive into another  powerful tool  in poetry. Repetition hammers home a point or theme.

A  repeated word or phrase  can echo throughout a poem, tying ideas together and making the message stick.

For beginners, mastering repetition is about knowing why and where it’s effective. Use it to  emphasize an emotion ,  create rhythm , or build tension.

Think of  William Shakespeare and his knack  for repeating lines that resonate long after you’ve read them – that’s the poetic power of careful repetition at work!

Onomatopoeia

Repetition captures attention, while  onomatopoeia brings sounds to life . Imagine reading a poem and hearing the actual noise of what’s happening.

These words  create an echo of real-life noises  in your mind. Onomatopoeia doesn’t just tell you about the sound; it makes you experience it.

When poets pick these particular words , they  paint a vivid picture with audio effects .

Alliteration

Alliteration grabs your attention with the repetition of  initial consonant sounds . Think of tongue twisters, like “She sells seashells by the seashore.”

In poetry, it’s a  powerful sound device  that poets use to add a  musical rhythm  and make their words memorable.

Using  alliteration , poets can create an atmosphere or emphasize essential themes in their poetry.

It goes beyond just being catchy; it  enhances mood  and helps paint  vivid pictures  in your mind.

Now, let’s explore how assonance also contributes to poetic effect.

Think about how songs stick in your head; that’s what assonance can do in poems. It  pulls you into the rhythm and sound .

Picture yourself reading these lines out loud: “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.” Hear that?

Next up is simile – let’s see how it paints pictures with words!

The simile uses “like” or “as” to  compare two different things . This shows how they are similar. A good simile  helps readers picture the scene  or  feel the emotion .

Beginners can start using similes by thinking of everyday items and what they represent.

The night sky could be “like a blanket of stars,” or someone’s smile might be “like sunshine.” Similes add spice to writing , making it more vivid and expressive!

For example, calling someone “the light of my life” means they’re more than just necessary – they brighten up your world like actual sunlight.

Poets use metaphors to make their writing  powerful and vivid . They help you see  ordinary things in new ways . Imagine saying, “Life is a rollercoaster.”

Just like a metaphor can colour your poetry with vivid comparisons,  hyperbole  takes it up a notch by adding  strong exaggeration .

Hyperboles are bold statements that stretch the truth for effect.

It’s like saying your heart shattered into a million pieces when you’re sad—everyone knows you mean really heart broken , not an actual broken heart.

Poets like Sylvia Plath and T.S. Eliot packed their works with symbols to add depth to their poems.

A symbol can be an object, a person, a situation, or an action that suggests more than its literal meaning.

Mastering symbolism takes time and practice, but it’s worth the effort.

Not only does it enrich your writing with  multiple layers of meaning , but it also engages readers as they uncover more profound significance behind your verses.

Understanding the Effects of Poetic Techniques

Delving into the world of poetic devices isn’t just about fancy words or complex ideas.

It’s about grasping how these techniques breathe life into verses, giving them a pulse that resonates with readers and listeners alike—let’s explore how they do just that!

Enriching the Imagery

For example, instead of saying “the sunset,” describe how the sky blazed with streaks of orange and purple as the day faded into twilight.

This technique draws readers into your poem and lets them see what you see.

It might also represent something more complex, like the fleeting nature of time.

By weaving symbols throughout your work, you invite readers to look beyond the surface and find  deeper meaning  in your words.

Enhancing the Sound

Sounds can flow smoothly or jar against each other—both effects serve a purpose. Euphony creates gentle and pleasing rhythms that can soothe the reader.

Alliteration uses repeated starting consonant sounds, like “slippery slope,” to make lines stick in your head.

Think about how cacophonous words might make you feel anxious or excited.

Skilled poets mix these elements carefully. They know just when to calm with sweet  assonance  or startle with a crack of consonants!

Deep Dive into Specific Techniques

Anaphora  grabs attention and adds emphasis by  repeating the same word or phrase  at the beginning of multiple lines or sentences.

Think of  Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream”  speech, where he used anaphora to hammer home his vision.

But that’s not all – anaphora works wonders in  setting the rhythm in poetry , much like a drumbeat that gets listeners nodding along.

It helps build up anticipation   leading readers through a series of thoughts , each starting with those  familiar repeated words .

Metonymy & Synecdoche

Metonymy and synecdoche are like secret codes in poetry. They pack a punch, squeezing big ideas into just a few words.

With metonymy, poets  swap out a word with something closely related  to it—think “The White House said” instead of “The President said.” It’s all about association.

When a sailor shouts, “All hands on deck!” he doesn’t mean just hands; he means whole sailors!

These techniques aren’t just showy tricks; they  deepen meaning and connect readers  to the poem’s heart.

Enjambment & End-Stopped Lines

Enjambment pulls you along. Imagine reading a poem when suddenly, a line jumps to the next without stopping.

That’s  enjambment  for you – it  creates excitement  and an  urge to see what comes next .

End-stopped lines do the opposite. They  make you pause  and think about what you just read because they finish with punctuation, like a period or comma.

Each end-stopped line is like taking a breath before diving into the next thought or image in the poem.

Zeugma  is a  fun tool  in your poetry kit. Imagine one-word pulling  double duty  in a sentence,  linking two thoughts together .

It’s like using “open” to talk about both a door and a heart at the same time! With zeugma, you  make your poem sharper  and  give your readers something clever to think about .

That’s Zeugma doing its magic. It  makes poems more potent with fewer words . Use it wisely, and watch your verses come alive!

Internal & End RhymeInternal rhyme  spices up a poem by using words that rhyme within the same line.

End rhyme  happens at the ends of lines, giving poems a  structured sound . It’s what you hear in classics like Shakespeare’s sonnets—rhymes closing each line bring it all together.

Imagine reading, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star; How I wonder what you are.”

Both internal and End rhymes make poetry  memorable and enjoyable . They give life to verses and help poets craft works that readers love to echo time after time.

Consonance & Assonance

Just like internal and End rhymes add spice to poems,  consonance, and assonance  enrich the sound, too.

It often comes at the End of lines but can pop up anywhere.

Now, let’s talk about assonance—the  repeated vowel sounds  in neighbouring words.

Use these tools wisely, and you’ll craft verses that stick with readers long after they’ve finished reading.

Euphony & Cacophony

Moving on from the smooth and repetitive patterns of consonance and assonance, let’s explore  euphony and cacophony .

Use euphony to craft lines that flow like a  musical stream , guiding readers through your poem with sounds that please the ear. Think of words that whisper, hum, or sing.

In contrast, bring in cacophony when you want to shake things up. Harsh-sounding words crash together, creating  tension and dissonance .

This technique works well to convey chaos or discomfort within your poem’s narrative— loud whispers  in a quiet room demanding attention.

Choose each word carefully for its sound; it can change how someone feels about your poetry just by hearing it aloud!

Meter gives poetry a rhythm, much like a heartbeat within a line. Think of it as the poem’s underlying music that guides the reader’s voice.

Classic poems often use  iambic pentameter  – that means five iambs per line, where one iamb is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one.

Even modern poets play with a meter to give their words pulse and pace; they might need to avoid mixing up  metrical feet  or craft lines without any apparent pattern on purpose for effect.

Meter isn’t just old-school – it evolves but always brings  order and tempo to verses  across ages.

Using Poetry Techniques in Comparisons and Analysis

Take  similes and metaphors ; they don’t just say one thing is like another; they make us see the connection.

A poet might write “time is a wave” to show how moments rush at us and then slip away.

Look closely at  Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” . Notice his use of  iambic tetrameter , which gives a calm, steady rhythm—it’s like the quietness of falling snow!

They reveal how  skilled poets  guide our thoughts and feelings through verse—like conductors with words instead of batons.

Concluding Thoughts on Poetry Writing Techniques

Ready to dive into poetry? Grab your pen and let these nine techniques be your guide. Play with sounds, shape your verses, and paint with words.

1. What are some basic poetry writing techniques for beginners?

2. how can i make my poetry sound more pleasing to the ear.

Use euphonious devices like alliteration—the repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words—or similar vowel sounds within lines for a musical effect.

3. Can you explain what blank verse is in poetry?

4. why should i use poetic forms like haikus or villanelles, 5. is rhyme necessary in modern poetry.

Not at all! While rhyming couplets add charm, modern poets often write free verse without rhyme schemes or regular meter—it’s all about your style and message.

6. What if I’m struggling with how to begin writing my poem?

R. a. bentinck, you may also like..., how to write a poem for a girl: make her melt with words, master the art of creating powerful poetic lines, leave a comment cancel reply.

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8 Tips to Improve Your Poetry

1. Know your end goal

2. avoid cliches or common subjects, 3. embrace metaphors and similes, 4. use images, 5. use concrete words over abstract words, 6. understand your theme, 7. it doesn’t have to rhyme, 8. read, revise, read, revise, recent posts.

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How to Improve Your Poetry Skills

by Melissa Donovan | Apr 12, 2022 | Poetry Writing | 35 comments

Strengthen your poetry skills.

Poetry writing requires no license, no education, and no experience. All you need to get started is a pen and some paper. In fact, many writers discovered their calling because they were compelled to write poetry at a young age.

But there’s a big difference between writing poetry and writing good poetry.

Opinions about the art and craft of good poetry are many and varied. Some hold poetry to a high academic or literary standard. Others appreciate the fact that poetry writing provides a creative and healthy form of self-expression.

I believe that all poetry is good in the sense that anything that comes from the heart or anything that speaks truth is good. The poem itself might not win any awards, but the act of writing it can be mood-altering, healing, and maybe even life-changing.

Many poets pursue the craft with a clear goal: they want to get published. Others write poetry because they find solace in the work. They don’t care about readers, publication, or awards. And plenty of writers fall in between: they write for the joy of it but also with a desire to continually develop their poetry skills with hopes of getting published one day.

Writing for Yourself

There’s nothing wrong with writing poetry for yourself. Poetry writing has tremendous therapeutic and creative value. However, many young poets think they can get published and earn recognition without developing their poetry skills: they don’t read poetry; they don’t study the craft; they are not knowledgeable about poetic forms or literary devices. They offer the following arguments:

• I don’t read poetry because I don’t want other poems to influence mine. I want my poetry to be raw and original.
• I write from my heart; it’s a form of self-expression.
• Poetry is an art form, so there are no rules.
• It’s my style (I’ve heard this about poems written in all caps, for example).
• My mom/friend/teacher said I have talent.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of these arguments. But if you want to get published — if you want your work to be taken seriously by the literary world and by readers — you’re going to have to step up your game. You’ll have to stop making excuses and learn how to write better poetry.

Tips for Writing Better Poetry

When we first start writing poetry, our work is amateurish and awkward. We might make poems that are cute or silly, poems that don’t make much sense, or poems that are murky, excessive, or verbose. We express ourselves but fail to generate poems that compel readers. But with practice and by putting a little effort into our poetry writing, our poems can blossom and become riveting — for us and for our readers.

Here are some tips to help you develop finer poetry writing skills:

• Read poetry: Too many young and new poets don’t read poetry. I get it. A lot of the poems you come across don’t grab your attention. The stuff you read in school was unwieldy. But if you look hard enough, you will discover good poetry that you will fall in love with. Go on a personal quest to find it. In order to grow as a writer, and especially as a poet, it’s imperative to familiarize yourself with the canon, which has already proven to resonate with readers. By seeking out established poets whose work you admire, you will build a roster of mentors. Try reading poems aloud. Keep a notebook or journal in which you can write your thoughts and responses to various works, and jot down your favorite excerpts. Bonus tip: you can also watch or listen to recorded or live poetry.
• Write regularly: Beginning poets have a tendency to take up the pen only when the mood strikes. By engaging your creativity on a daily basis, the very practice of poetry writing will become habitual and ingrained as part of your daily routine, and it is through daily practice that our poetry skills improve.
• Allow yourself to write badly: Allowing yourself a large margin for writing poorly or below your own standards will give you freedom in your writing and room to explore your poetry on broader and deeper levels.
• Study and learn to speak in poetics: Poets have their own language. When they mention couplets and iambic pentameter , you should know what they’re talking about. Study literary devices and learn how to use them in your own poetry. There are many books available that will help you understand poetry intricately and will familiarize you with terms and definitions, such as alliteration or trochee . Such books provide detailed analyses and teach you new ways to read and write poetry. To get started, look for A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver or try The Practice of Poetry (aff links) by Robin Behn and Chase Twichell.
• Poetry writing exercises: Writing exercises present challenges and provide new ways of thinking and being creative within an established framework. Some poetry exercises will produce your best work but also teach you to approach poetry in an innovative and more imaginative manner.
• Embrace best practices and techniques: It’s true that there are no rules in poetry, but there are a few best practices, like eliminate any unnecessary words , don’t arrange words awkwardly to fit a rhyme scheme , and use imagery . When it comes to poetry, you really want to follow the old adage: show, don’t tell .
• Seek feedback from objective, well-read people who are familiar with poetry. When something in your poem isn’t working for one of them, don’t say, “Oh, that’s my style.” And if it is your style, then consider that your “style” isn’t working.
• Revise. Revising your work goes hand in hand with allowing yourself to write badly. You can always go back and make changes. Some new writers insist that once they write a poem, that’s it. They believe the art should be preserved in its original form and never altered in any way. While this is certainly one way of looking at poetry as art, there is another philosophy that believes revision is necessary for true creative freedom. In knowing that you can go back and refine your work later, you will give yourself more liberty in your initial writing, opening creative channels to greater possibilities.

Poetry Writing is an Adventure

Poetry teaches us how to access rich language and produce vivid images in our writing. It is one of the best ways to develop comprehensive and creative writing skills , even if poetry writing isn’t really your thing. Poetry writing will take you on an exciting adventure through language, and the very act of working to improve your poetry is a journey that many writers find exhilarating.

Do you have any tips for writing better poetry and developing your poetry skills? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

And keep writing (poetry)!

35 Comments

All excellent advice. I try and write something every night and you do find that you get into a mindset, a way of thinking in poetic frameworks. I do also try to vary my styles around a bit and not be too formulaic.

I try to write every night too, and if I miss a night, it really messes me up.

Good advice Revising work is always good And also we should try seeking information…try involving ourselves with the world It always have a good effect

For writing finer poetry one needs to a lot of practice.above all it needs knowledge of literature and various poetry books.

I can’t add any new tips to this, but I would like to say that experience has proven and enforced all of the above without a doubt.

Thanks, Jesse.

Writing poetry requires a lot of practice in observation. Many people look at at object and describe the same typical features. A poet has a greater depth of perception. People enjoy reading what poets write for the benefit of momentarily seeing an ordinary object from an expanded point of view. Without this, poetry is dull and not worth the effort to read. So I will add to your excellent advice to take extra time to practice and develop refined observation skills.

Observational skills are essential for all writers. From paying attention to ordinary objects to enrich our descriptions of them to fostering empathy and an understanding of the human condition, observation is important to the craft.

You have some wonderful advice. Thank you for sharing this. I used to write poetry all the time in high school but then I felt like I lost my creativity. Maybe one day I will try to write again.

Thanks for your kinds words, Ashlie. I think that as teenagers, we are more emotional and hyped up due to hormones and normal human development, and these feelings often fuel creativity. It’s common for people to feel less creative as they age. But we can actively search for inspiration and reach inside to reconnect with emotions, wonder, and creativity.

I wrote great poems but I haven’t written since a year. I don’t know what’s happening to me…this was my only extraordinary skill but nowadays I don’t have anything…I wanted to gather some inspiration but now I don’t have any…your tips are nice… especially the one which says allow yourself to write bad. Thanks.

Thank you so much. I will surely use these tips.

You’re welcome!

I write them for fun, i mean, just expressing barely how i feel and react to different variations. I also write poems about friends to let them know how i feel about them and their current situations too. They do appreciate (not all of them of course) and i feel inspired.

I’ve always felt that poetry is one of the best ways to express oneself. I hope you’ll stick with it.

Thanks so much for this – really helpful and clear advice. I feel much more motivated to put effort into writing having read this article and look forward to exploring the rest of your site.

Thanks, Rachel. I hope you continue to find Writing Forward helpful.

Love the advice!Expanded vocabulary gives a poet building blocks for poetry.

Thanks, David!

This is ones of the best post so far that I’ve ever read. Thanks for the help. I’m a Spanish speaker and I’m trying to improve my vocabulary and even trying to write poetry in English so, this is a good help for me.

Thank you so much, Gua!

I write poetry for myself, not others. I don’t like it when my peers read my poetry, and I feel very uncomfortable when closer peers read it. Is that ok?

Yes, of course it’s okay! It’s your poetry, and you can do whatever feels right with it. If that means keeping it private, then that is perfectly fine. Do what works for you.

Hi, Thank you for the tips, I was wondering if you could recommend some forums where it would be applicable to send in poetry that could be reviewed or looked upon for some feedback?

Hi Sany. Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any such forums offhand.

Poetry writing is not that easy we think. Beginners think its easy to write poetry without having knowledge of forms of poetry, rhyming schemes and structure. As it helps a lot to improve the writing skills to write poetry. Recently i read a article about the forms of poetry, structure and rhyming scheme. That article is so helpful to write poetry.

I think the difficulty level is different for everyone, and it depends what a person is trying to achieve. A lot of people start out writing poetry simply as a way to express themselves. It’s not always about mastering the form. That’s actually how I started, and one of the reasons I fell in love with writing poetry is because it was easy. Of course, later, I decided to refine my poetry and it got more difficult.

Hi, I am writing a piece of poetry for a school competition. As a novice, I am struggling to use my imagination, which I, to be honest, don’t really use a lot, so how can I broaden my interpretation and description of what I see and feel?

That’s a great question, Ashni. You don’t always need to use your imagination. Sometimes you just need to translate what you see and feel into clear and simple words and sentences. Don’t worry about making it imaginative. Just make it real.

Thank you so much Melissa. I’m a new poet and this is just what I needed to read.

I’m so glad you found this helpful. That means a lot to me. Thanks, Matt.

actually even if my thoughts are noble and excellent to be written as a poem I find it difficult to write a poem that engages the reader. could you please help me with this?

I would push back a little. How do you know the reader isn’t engaged?

The best way to improve your poetry skills to read a lot of poetry and study the craft. It takes time and effort to grow as a poet. Meanwhile, enjoy the journey.

Thanks for the advice. I need a sample critique of my work from a professional. This will instantly expose my errors, tell me what’s not working or contemporary in my poetry. Could you help, please?

You should use the contact form to inquire about coaching services, which can include a professional critique. You’ll find that on the Contact page. Thanks!

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How to Write Poetry: Writing Poetry for Beginners

Too often, new writers associate poetry with some of the most complicated and foreign poetic movements. No longer is poetry just Whitman, Blake, or Keats. Poetry has evolved in many ways, making it more accessible than ever to beginners.

As a small literary magazine who publishes new writers often, we are committed to sharing just how easy it is to start writing poetry. This is writing poetry for beginners.

Common Types of Poetry

There are various types of poetry, but that doesn’t mean you have to only write one or that you must follow all of the “rules.” Here are a few different types of poetry that you should become familiar with, especially when you’re a beginner.

Prose Poetry

Prose poetry has steadily been rising in popularity, and is perhaps one of the most accessible forms for beginner poets. This type of poetry is written in prose sentences, but can adopt many of the common attributes of poetry. For example, prose poems might focus on sound, tone, symbolism, metaphor , or a specific theme.

List of Famous Hats , by James Tate is an excellent example of a prose poem.

Napoleon’s hat is an obvious choice I guess to list as a famous hat, but that’s not the hat I have in mind. That was his hat for show. I am thinking of his private bathing cap, which in all honesty wasn’t much different than the one any jerk might buy at a corner drugstore now, except for two minor eccentricities. The first one isn’t even funny: Simply it was a white rubber bathing cap, but too small. Napoleon led such a hectic life ever since his childhood, even farther back than that, that he never had a chance to buy a new bathing cap and still as a grown-up–well, he didn’t really grow that much, but his head did: He was a pinhead at birth, and he used, until his death really, the same little tiny bathing cap that he was born in, and this meant that later it was very painful to him and gave him many headaches, as if he needed more. So, he had to vaseline his skull like crazy to even get the thing on. The second eccentricity was that it was a tricorn bathing cap. Scholars like to make a lot out of this, and it would be easy to do. My theory is simple-minded to be sure: that beneath his public head there was another head and it was a pyramid or something.

Narrative Poetry

If you read poetry, you’ve definitely read narrative poetry. This type of poetry, generally has an arch, a strong narrative voice, and a plot regardless of the length.

These poems can range in form and length. While they may “sound” like more complicated forms of poetry, they tend to be easier to follow.

Ever heard of William Shakespeare? Well, he’s the King of Sonnets. This type of poetry follows a specific form. Made up of 14 lines, iambic meter , and a ending rhyme scheme, sonnets are a more traditional type of poetry.

Enjoy Sonnet XXII , by Shakespeare

My glass shall not persuade me I am old, So long as youth and thou are of one date; But when in thee time’s furrows I behold, Then look I death my days should expiate. For all that beauty that doth cover thee Is but the seemly raiment of my heart, Which in thy breast doth live, as thine in me: How can I then be elder than thou art? O, therefore, love, be of thyself so wary As I, not for myself, but for thee will; Bearing thy heart, which I will keep so chary As tender nurse her babe from faring ill. Presume not on thy heart when mine is slain; Thou gavest me thine, not to give back again.

Epic Poetry

The hero’s journey is encapsulated in epic poetry . Epic poems are longer, and follow the trials and tribulations of a heroine. Many epics are rooted in mythology – this is why you may be familiar with some of them.

Homer’s The Odyssey is an example of an epic poem.

Free Verse Poetry

Ready to throw rules out the window? Free verse poetry follows no particular format, rhyme scheme, tone, or pattern. As a beginner, free verse is a fun way to start writing poetry because it does not place any limitations on the writer.

How to Write Poetry

Being a poet requires more than writing (yes, it’s true). By adopting some of these rules into your routine, you can ensure that your poetry grows and develops.

1. Read Poetry

While this sounds obvious, you’d be surprised to learn that few poets READ a lot of poetry. If you want to become a famous poet, you need to read the poets who can come before you.

Reading poetry can also help you identify which styles of poetry you’re interested in writing. Plus, it’s a great way to get inspired when writer’s block inevitably creeps out its head.

If you’re having trouble finding a great poetry book, or don’t want to commit to a collection of only one author, we highly recommend exploring poetry anthologies (our editor’s favorite is the The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poets).

2. Don’t Overcomplicate It

We understand that this may be easier said then done, however, starting small is a great way to start doing anything new.

For example, don’t try to start writing poetry by writing a 1,000 line epic poem . Instead, start with something shorter, like a 3 line haiku or minimalist poem .

Starting small will help you to grow your skills, and eventually help you grow your confidence to try harder forms of poetry.

3. Attend or Watch Local Poetry Slams / Groups

Creative spaces help to cultivate and hone your poetic style. We highly recommend you get involved in your local creative scene. This means attending poetry readings, joining a local writers or readers group, and maybe even sharing and editing your work in a workshop.

If you’re unable to connect with local poets, there are numerous spaces online to do so. Instagram, Twitter, and Medium are welcoming spaces for new poets and writers. From prompts, to resources and encouragement, you can find fellow poets online that can help keep you focused and driven in your pursuit to be a poet. You can follow us on Twitter or Instagram as well!

Pro Tip: There are some Instagram accounts that do awesome live poetry readings! Also, learn more about growing your poetry account on Instagram here.

This practice benefits poets in two ways. First, it encourages you to write due to the accountability factor. Second, it makes writing more community-driven versus you, being in a room, banging your head on the desk because you’re not feeling inspired.

How to Start A Poem

Many people want to write poetry, but they don’t know where to start. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to start a poem.

Do you write in other genres ? If so, what themes and topics do you usually explore?

For example, if you tend to write fantasy, use fantastical elements, like hidden forests, magic spells, and an evil-doer to inspire your poetry.

Start writing poetry using what you already know. Using this technique makes it much easier to start a poem. Additionally, examine and be present in your surroundings. Describe what you see, feel, smell. Use your senses to brainstorm possible poetry topics and to add poetic imagery to your writing.

If you need further inspiration, check out our Glossary of Poetic Terms . It may help nudge if you get stuck.

5 Poetry Writing Exercises

Still scratching your head when it comes to writing poetry? Try one or all of these poetry writing exercises. Writing exercises are a great way to get your creative juices flowing.

1.) Look at an old photo. Write about everything not in the picture. Feel free to move to and from reality.

2.) Describe a place you’ve never been to. Be as realistic as possible. The catch? It has to be a single word list.

3.) What’s the last dream you remember? Use colors and smells to describe it.

4.) Finish the sentence and continue the story… “When my head hits the pillow…”

5.) In 13 words, describe your oasis.

These poetry writing exercises can be recycled. Get creative, and exploratory. Write what comes to mind. These prompts are meant to help you begin your poetry writing journey. There are no right or wrong ways to approach them. And remember, revision always comes later on.

What Makes a Good Poem?

This is an age-old question, and one that writers now and into the future will keep asking.

But, honestly, what makes a good poem?

If someone reads your poem, and feels something – anything – then you’ve written a good poem. There are many people that will argue with this, but at the end of the day, it’s about how the writing makes you feel, not anyone else.

Yes, some of the common types of poetry follow a set of “rules,” but you’re the writer, and when you’re the writer, you get to write whatever kind of poetry you want.

No matter which forms you find yourself writing, all poetry elicits a response in readers. As a beginner, if you can stick to that rule of thumb, chances are you’re moving in the right poetic direction.

Want more tips? Read our 10 tips to improve your poetry .

How to Write Poetry FAQs

How can I teach myself poetry?

To teach yourself poetry, we recommend reading poetry and writing it. Reading more poetry will help you learn the various styles of poems. Once you learn about the varying types of poetry, consider trying to write a few lines about a topic that resonates with you.

What is the easiest poem to make?

Free verse poems are the easiest poems to make because they don’t have any rules. This allows you to be creative!

What is the best type of poetry?

The best type of poetry is a poem that leaves readers feeling inspired. This is very subjective; a poem you love might not be another person’s top choice – this is what makes poetry so amazing because it can cater to many audiences with different preferences.

Ready to Start Writing Poetry?

Poetry isn’t an inaccessible form of writing, but it can come across that way when you’re a beginner. Instead, writing poetry for beginners is pretty simple. Hopefully, this brief guide has made poetry feel more approachable. Now, it’s time to write poetry!

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21 Top Poetry Writing Apps

By Rofida Khairalla

As a writer, there are a lot of reasons to embrace the digital age.

In fact, right now is probably one of the best times in history to be a writer because there are so many platforms and resources available at the touch of your fingertips thanks to technology.

Even poets can find are variety of sources available to them unlike ever before.

Where once you may have had to attend poetry classes and workshops, read text book after text book and attend lecture after lecture to master the art of writing poetry, now you can find all of the information you need on your phone or tablet.

Thanks to the mobile app revolution, poets can find so many resources using a poetry writing app that not only provide info on poetry, but also make the writing process easier.

To simplify your search for the best apps, we’ve compiled a list of the top 21 poetry writing apps for any poet.

1. Poetry Creator-Verses

Created by Tiny Mobile Inc., Poetry Creator Verses allows you to create your own poems using a variety of dictionaries. Designed to look like word magnets, the app is great for poets who love to explore and play with words. You can even then share your masterpiece on Facebook or via email. The app is free and works on iPhone or iPad. However, you can also upgrade to premium to get access to eight more dictionaries that include a Hip-Hop dictionary and a Beatnik dictionary.

2. Poetry Magazine

If you’re not familiar with the Poetry Foundation, now is the time to get familiar. The Poetry Foundation has been shining the light on poetry and incredible poets since 2003. The magazine, which actually began in 1912 , was one of the first publications to publish the works of poets like Carl Sandburg, Wallace Stevens, and T.S. Elliot. Now, the Poetry app gives you access to those poems and much more on IOS and Android. The app is completely free and allows you to read poems and share them on social media, or shake your phone to discover a new poem.

3. Poet’s Pad

Made for both Apple products and Android, this is a one of the few poetry apps that’s really worth a little bit of cash investment. Why? Well, the app comes with multiple features that can be especially beneficial to a poet on the go, such as an idea generator that actually generates words based on your mood and an audio recorder that allows you to practice reading your poems or jot down ideas when you don’t have a pen handy. Created by Paragoni, LLC, the app ranges in price from $1.99 to $9.99 depending on the device.

4. Poetry Daily

While being well versed in the poetry of Shakespeare and even Chaucer has its benefits, every poet writing in the modern era needs to be extremely familiar with the trends and rules of contemporary poetry. That’s where the iPhone app, Poetry Daily, can come in. Every day this app delivers one modern poem to your phone for you to enjoy. The great thing about this free app is that the poems come from new books and the most recent periodicals, so if you like what you read, you can always track down the book or poet later on.

5. Visual Poetry-Word Collage

This $1.99 app by ImageChef Inc., is the perfect app for poets that love to dabble in concrete or shape poetry. The great thing about this app is that you don’t have to be an artist to use it. You can draw your shape, or you can just select for a variety of premade shapes. Then you simply type your poem up and watch it get rearranged into the shape of your choice. You can even change the font and color to fit your subject. The app is available to all IOS users.

6. Haiku Poem

Haiku Poem by International Reading Association allows poets to not only read haikus, but also teaches them how to write a Haiku. One of the great things about this free app is that it has a “syllable count” feature, which is especially useful for those who are new to the world of the Haiku. Additionally, users can save their work and return to it later. The app is compatible with iPad.

7. Poetry Everywhere

Poems aren’t like novels or short stories. Unlike its lengthier counterparts, poetry is meant to be read aloud, and usually sounds better. That can sound like an intimidating task at first, however, if you’ve never seen it done before. With Poetry Everywhere, created by WGBH, you have access to a variety of clips of pro poets reading their work. The app is free and is best used with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

8. RhymeZone

Rhyming in your poetry may not be something you do often, however, if you’re ever in need of a rhyme, this is one of the best rhyming dictionaries available on the app market. Although it’s about $3, you definitely won’t regret investing in this app, with almost 100,000 rhyming words. Created by Datamuse Corporation, this app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

9. PortaPoet

This is a great app for the modern poet, because it brings the workshop to you. Using PortaPoet, compatible with IOS, you can count syllables, rhyme, and even publish your poems. But one of the best features of this $1.99 app is that you can actually rate poems or “rap battles” and challenge others to a competition as well.

If you’re the kind of writer that’s always on the go and don’t have a lot of space for your computer or notebook, Writer is a great tool. The free app, created by James McMinn, enables poets, and all writers, to jot down their work quickly and easily. The app is compatible with Android devices.

11. Poet’s Corner

For those looking for poetry writing apps for Android that don’t have time to attend a live workshop, Poet’s Corner is one of the best apps for sharing your work. Created by Wild Notion Labs, the free app provides a forum for poets to write their poems, share their work and read work written by others.

12. Famous Poetry

If you’re a big fan of the works some of the classic poets, then Famous Poetry for Android is a good archive. Created by Ten Doves Charity, the app features a variety of work by some of the world’s famous poets, such as Lord Byron, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Robert Frost. This is an especially great app if you want to immerse yourself in some quality poetry without dropping hundred of dollars on a textbook. And the best part? It’s totally free.

13. Pocket Poet

If you’re looking for an Android app that’s similar to PortaPoet, then you can’t go wrong with Pocket Poet. Even better, this app is completely free. You can use this app to find the perfect word based on rhyme, syllables, and even stresses. The filters are exact and make it easy to find the right word for any kind of poem. You can also use this Blue Durian Studios app to search for synonyms. Even if you’re not a poet, this is still a great app to use if you’re looking for a strong thesaurus or rhyming dictionary.

14. JotterPad

JotterPad is another one of those incredible Android apps that makes writing your poems a smooth process. Developed by Two App Studio Pte. Ltd., the app is a text editor that works similar to a word processor, without all the fuss of a word processor. You simply type your text and save. It’s that simple! But what makes JotterPad a great selection for poetry is that it features themes and even several different type phases, so you can play with the way your poem looks. The free app also comes with a built in dictionary and can even transform your final product into shareable PDFs.  You can even upload your work to any cloud system you use, so you an access your work from anywhere.

15. Glossary of Poetry Terminology

If you’re very new to poetry and simply want more information about it, or if you’re looking to experiment with different styles, this app can be very informative. Think of this app as your dictionary for poetic terminology. It’s a glossary that covers a wide variety of poetic forms, historical movements and even poetic tools like accentual verse. The 99-cent app works for all Android users.

16. AudioNote

One of the most inconvenient things about being a poet is that all the right verses can come to you at all the wrong times. If you’ve ever been on a crowded city bus and had inspiration strike, you know what I’m talking about. AudioNote was made to address that problem. Developed by Luminant Software, Inc., the $10 app allows you to not only record yourself, but also allows you to add notes to the recording later on. This way you can voice record any ideas you might have for poems and then go back at a more convenient time to develop them. But the best part of this app is that you can also use it to both record and take notes. Made for iPhone and iPad, the app then synchronizes your voice recording with the notes you’ve taken. When you play back the recording, you can actually click on your notes to jump to the section you’re looking for.

17. Poetics

Are you part poet part photographer? There’s an app for you! It’s called Poetics. Made for Apple users, Poetics allows you to snap a photo and then write whatever you’d like over it. This is an especially useful feature for poets that like to explore a particular subject, or theme in their poems. The nice thing about this app is that it gives you ownership. You can resize text, rotate the image, and scale. Even better, the app saves as you go and you can also share your finished product on social media. Created by Soulincode Inc., the $1.99 app even allows you to speak into it and turns those words into text, so you can write wherever you happen to be.

18. Instant Poetry!

If you’re the kind of poet that loves word play and likes to read the work of others, then this is a good app to depend on if you’re looking for some genuine feedback, or just want a fun way to practice your art. The app is free and works with all Android devices.  One of the best things about this app, created by Ink Lily Studios, however, is the search based on category. You can also share poems with other members of the Instant Poetry community. When posting, keep in mind that the poems have to be relatively short for the system to accept them, however.

19. Be a Poet

This app, created by S. Whitney Powell, is somewhat off the beaten path when it comes to popular poetry apps. However, there are a lot of reasons to like using this free app, whether you’re a poetry beginner or a well-versed writer. The great thing about the Be a Poet app is that it’s structured very much like a game, which makes brainstorming and even word play just fun. Created a masterpiece you’d like to keep? You can transform your poem into an image you can then share with anyone. You can also purchase other language packs that enable you to learn a new language and write poetry in that language.

20. Poetizer

Poetizer is like a GoFundMe for poets that just so happen to be Android users. Have a masterwork you’re dying to share with everyone and curious to see how it would fair in a real publisher’s market? Poetizer is the perfect place to test the waters. Developed by the European Leadership & Academic Institute, the app is a forum for poets to write poetry and share their poem with friends. But what’s really unique about Poetizer is that it features a crowd-funding capacity that actually allows people to donate money to support your writing.

21. Ap LyricPad

This is an app specifically designed for poets that also happen to be more musically inclined. The neat thing about this Android app is that it allows you to record music or melodies that you create on your phone. Have a cool beat for a rap song floating around in your head? Use this free app designed by Eli Brown to record it.

With all of these amazing tools out there that allow you to not only learn the craft of poetry, but also excel at it, there’s really no excuse to delay your dreams of writing poetry any longer. If you’re crazy about poetry, download the apps, take the time to write and share with other people. You never know, someone might just end up loving the words you put on the page.

13 More Poetry Writing Apps

1. rhymer’s block.

Rhymer’s Block is one of the most popular mobile apps for poets and lyricists. The app was created with the goal of helping writers capture inspiration as soon as it strikes—whether you’re on the train, hanging out with your friends, or simply going about your day. But Rhymer’s Block is more than just a digital notepad where you can jot down ideas. It also boasts several helpful features, such as real-time rhyme suggestions, word frequency analysis, color-coded rhymes, and more. It can even suggest rhymes for words that aren’t in the dictionary, which is great if you often use slang words or neologisms in your writing.

And even though you can use the app offline, Rhymer’s Block does offer cloud syncing. This means your work is automatically uploaded to the cloud so you don’t have to worry about losing your progress. Rhymer’s Block is available for free on iOS.

2. Word Palette

Word Palette is the perfect mobile app for poets and authors who struggle with writer’s block or are looking to reignite their creative spark. The app works by showing you “word palettes” which the developer describes as intelligently scrambled text. You can then shuffle different words and choose the ones that resonate with you, leaving you with a collection of words to weave together and draw inspiration from.

You can also create your own word palettes by importing your favorite texts and converting them. You can import anything from news articles to text files you have written in the past. You can even mix and match different palettes to get exciting and unexpected results. Word Palette is available on iOS, and you can download it for free.

3. Poet Assistant

Poet Assistant is another mobile app that writers and poets have been raving about. It is basically a set of tools designed to help people write poems with ease. It comes with a rhyming dictionary based on the Carnegie Mellon University Pronunciation Dictionary. It also comes with a thesaurus that will suggest synonyms that might better suit your poem. It even has a dictionary so you can check the definitions of certain words. And the best part is that all of Poet Assistant’s features are built in and don’t require an internet connection. This means you can do all your writing offline, wherever you are.

As an added bonus, Poet Assistant also has a section where you can enter your text and have your device’s text-to-speech engine read it aloud to you. Poet Assistant is absolutely free and currently available to both iOS and Android users.

Mirakee is both a writing app and a blogging platform for poets, authors, and songwriters. It connects you with writers and readers from all around the globe, creating a community through the power of words. Post your work on Mirakee and receive comments and feedback from other users. Comment on other people’s work and offer feedback as well. If you’ve written something but aren’t ready to share it just yet, you can save it as a draft and return to it later. Mirakee also has an in-app design tool that lets you transform your poems and quotes into beautiful photos that you can share across various platforms.

Mirakee is also great for battling writer’s block. The app is home to daily writing challenges, where you have to write poems or stories based on a particular prompt or theme. Mirakee is free with the option of in-app purchases, and it’s available on both Android and iOS.

5. Lyric Notepad

Lyric Notepad is one of the leading mobile notepads for poets, songwriters, and rappers. In addition to being a place where you can write down your poems and lyrics on the go, Lyric Notepad also has other great features to make writing easier. The app automatically looks for rhyme suggestions as you type, and you can adjust the app’s rhyme sensitivity based on your preferences. The app also counts the syllables in each line and can break the lines into quarter measures. Lyric Notepad also has a built-in recorder and metronome, which is particularly useful for rappers and spoken word artists. The metronome feature can be used either as an audio or visual reference.

Lyric Notepad is available on both Android and iOS, and it is free to download and use. Optional in-app purchases are available.

6. Word Mover

Word Mover is a poetry writing app geared toward teens and younger writers who want to try their hand at writing poems. It works best on tablets and allows users to create found poetry using existing poems or word banks. When you launch the app, your screen will be populated with jumbled words, and it’s your job to connect them to create poems. The poems you create will be stored in your device’s memory, but you can also send them to yourself via email, print them out using a wireless printer, or save them to your photo gallery. There are also helpful tips and instructions throughout the app, guiding you along the way.

This is a great app for beginners, but also for experienced poets looking for inspiration. Word Mover is free on both Android and iOS.

7. HaikuJAM

HaikuJAM is part writing app, part collaborative game. The concept behind it is to create haikus and micro-poems with the help of other users. You can either write the first line and wait for other users to add to it, or you can add lines to poems others have already started. Not only does it force you to convey your message in just a few words, it also allows you to write about topics you otherwise wouldn’t have explored. The social aspect of HaikuJAM also lets you connect with other poets in a fun and laidback environment. HaikuJAM even has a creativity tracker and a mood tracker, as well as a range of creative writing prompts. Poets whose first language isn’t English will also benefit from the app’s built-in spelling and grammar checker.

If you are interested in playing HaikuJAM, you can download it for free on both Android and iOS devices.

8. Blackout Bard

Blackout Bard lets you create blackout poetry on the go. Blackout poetry, also known as erasure poetry, is a poetic form that is becoming more and more popular among both new and experienced poets. You do it by blacking out certain words in an existing text, creating unique poems of your own. It’s a great way to spark creativity, and for poets who get intimidated by a blank page, it’s a great place to start. With Blackout Bard, you can use any existing text available online and customize any of the app’s premade templates to make your creations stand out even more. Once you’re done, you can export your creation to the gallery and share it across social media.

Blackout Bard is completely free, and it is available to both iOS and Android users.

9. Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms

When writing poetry, you may come across terms you might not be familiar with. Metonymy, hyperbaton, anastrophe… While no one expects you to know what every single literary term means, it may be helpful to have something to refer to when these terms do pop up. And that’s exactly what the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms app does. It provides definitions of literary terms, including newly coined terms from modern theoretical and critical movements.

Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms is free, and it is available on both Android and iOS.

Poemia is a poetry writing app that doubles as a social media platform. Basically, it lets you share your own work and read poems written by other users. When you first install the app, you will be asked to create a profile just like other social media platforms. You can then post your poems to your profile and follow other users whose work you enjoy. Poemia also has a messaging system so you can reach out and chat with other users privately. Overall, Poemia is a great app for poets who are interested in getting their work out there and building an audience.

Poemia is free to download, but it is only available on Android devices.

11. The Haiku Foundation

The Haiku Foundation’s mobile app is a portable library containing hundreds of beautiful haikus. Their haiku collection is carefully curated, and you’ll find a mix of haikus by renowned Japanese masters and respected modern writers, as well as those written by lesser known poets. If you’re trying to look for a specific haiku, you can search the app’s library by author, content, or source. If you want to read a haiku you’ve never read before, you can shake your phone to see a random poem from the collection.

Starting the day with an inspiring haiku is a great way to boost your creativity, and many writers have incorporated The Haiku Foundation app into their daily routines. The Haiku Foundation app is free, and it is available to all iOS users.

12. English Poets and Poems

The English Poets and Poems app is another great source of inspiration for poets and authors. It contains more than 40,000 poetry classics, all organized in easy-to-browse categories. With the app, you can bookmark your favorite poems, share your favorite poems with your friends, and add notes to each poem for future reference. There’s also a “random” button that you can tap to discover new poems. The app works offline, so you don’t need to be connected to the internet to enjoy it.

If you’re ready to dive into the wonderful world of poetry, you can download the English Poets and Poems app for free on your Android device.

Poems is a free mobile app where you can write and post your poems. You can also read and comment on the works of other poets. The app encourages users to interact with each other in a friendly and constructive manner, which is perfect for poets who are interested in receiving feedback about their writing. The poems on the app are categorized by topic, and some of the app’s most popular categories include love, friendship, life, nature, and family. There’s also a section dedicated to all the featured poems for that particular month.

You can download Poems for free on your Android device.

Have you used any of the poetry writing apps featured in the post? Or have you found other poetry apps not included in the above list helpful? Please share your experiences in the comments box below!

If you found this post useful, you may also like our article that features 59 top apps for writers .

21 Top Poetry Writing Apps is an article from Writing Tips Oasis . Copyright © 2014-2019 Writing Tips Oasis All Rights Reserved

As a graduate from the University of Arizona in English and Creative Writing, Rofida Khairalla’s love for classical literature and post-modern fiction extends beyond the realm of books. She has provided her services independently as a freelance writer, and wrote on the news desk for the student-run newspaper, The Daily Wildcat. As an aspiring children’s book author, she’s refined her craft amongst the grand saguaros of the Southwest, and enjoys playing with her German Shepherd on the slopes of Mount Lemmon.

6 Online Tools for Poets

Some days, the creativity flows easier than others—and that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with seeking a little help. There are a number of online tools for poets that can help fuel your writing. Whether you’re looking for a unique word, an interesting rhyme, or general inspiration, these six online poetry tools can help you find the way. 

If you’ve ever wanted to jump into a dictionary feet-first, Visuwords is the perfect playground. This online tool is a great option for finding inspiration. Simply type in a word and watch a web of related words and concepts spring forth. Allow yourself to tumble from topic to topic as you learn, and double click on any word bubble to start another cluster. 

Green’s Dictionary of Slang

If you want to take your word choice beyond Webster’s Dictionary, Green’s Dictionary of Slang can be a great place to start. This online tool is a repository of information on English slang—over 500 years of it, in fact. You can use the browse section to investigate a group of slang words, or you can search by history, meaning, or usage. If you’re looking for general inspiration, they offer a word of the day as well. 

There are many online rhyme generators out there, but rhymer is among the best for poets. Its simple interface is easy to use but complex enough to allow you to search for specific types of rhymes, like end rhymes, beginning rhymes, double-rhymes, and more. Simply select your desired rhyme from the drop-down menu, and type in the word you’re hoping to rhyme with. Rhymer will show you several options—even for the word “orange.” Ever blank on the next line? Keep Rhymer in your back pocket. 

Is hesitation slowing you down? Get to the next step faster with Twin Word. This tool is like Apple’s predictive text on steroids. The program analyzes the context of your writing, senses when you pause, and opens a box of suggestions for what to write next. You can also search for synonyms or other related words within your writing using the highlight tool, or take it to the next level by highlighting an entire phrase or paragraph. 

Are you easily distracted? Fine-tune your focus with Omm Writer. This free online poetry tool helps eliminate distractions and offers a soothing soundscape to help you write. Omm Writer fills your screen with a soothing background and hypnotic keystroke sounds to help you get in the zone. Choose from two different experiences: a light, mountainscape background with keyboard sounds, or a dark, starry background with soothing raindrop sounds with each keystroke. Copy and paste your text or download it when you’re done. 

Writer’s Digest: Write Better Poetry

There’s a good chance you’re familiar with Writer’s Digest, as the organization has been helping writers improve their craft since 1920. Their Write Better Poetry page offers a slew of resources for poets, but perhaps one of the best things about this page is the many challenges to choose from. If you’re struggling with inspiration or looking for exercises to help you warm up your writerly brain, check out their monthly challenges, poetry prompts, and poetic form challenges.

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Poetry is an exciting form because it allows for a great deal of exploration and experimentation. Most writers are acquainted with poetry at a young age, through nursery rhymes or through children’s poets such as Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky. You may also be a fan of rhyming poetry, and of some of the set forms for poems, such as the sestina or the pantoum. These forms for poetry, along with the other existing forms, give a new poet a place to start—a container to be filled-in with one’s own ideas.

Most contemporary poets write in free-verse instead. Rhymes are not common here; instead, the poem draws its shape from the natural pauses between thoughts and images. Contemporary poets use line breaks, caesura, and stanza breaks to slow a reader down or to emphasize important ideas, instead of relying on the repetition of sounds. Sound is still a vital element of contemporary poetry, but the aesthetic principles (what we find beautiful) have changed from the days of Shakespeare or even Robert Frost. The white space on the page is a valuable tool for poets, as it gives the reader time to pause and to make leaps between moments in the poem.

The hardest thing about writing a poem is often finding a place to start. You may have been told to “write what you know”—always good advice. Sometimes, certain images/moments/experiences will strike you as somehow important ; something happens, and you find yourself thinking about it for days afterwards. It’s important, therefore, to always be aware of the world around you—always looking for inspiration.

Alternatively, you may sit down to write a poem with a specific agenda in mind. You want to make a statement about the world, maybe personal, maybe political, and you want to say it in through a poem. Poems written this way require a lot of reflection, as the poet works to find the images or narrative that will get their point across skillfully and artfully.

Poet H. L. Hix writes that a poem always has a “synoptic moment,” one in which “the whole is implicit in the part” (41). This moment could also be considered the heart or main idea of the poem. The poem may start with this moment—a technique Hix calls “expository” (41). Alternatively, the poem may build up to that moment in a “cumulative” way, meaning the point falls at the end (41). Many writers begin a poem with an image and “write into” the synoptic moment; they don’t know what that moment will be until they arrive there. The opposite approach is to set out with the synoptic moment already in mind. Nix writes:

Unless I reflect on—unless I choose —a poem’s aims, I remain confined to received aim, those most typical of my time and place (41).

In other words, by beginning with an aim/something you want to get across, you open yourself up to more possibility in terms of imagery and form. By starting with an image, or by not knowing the poem’s aims ahead of time, Hix suggests that you are limiting yourself to only the images you see, things that are thrown into your path by chance.

At times, you may feel less inspired—you may not have a set agenda or “synoptic moment” in mind. That’s perfectly okay. Your own daily life experience is rich in images and material for poetry; you just have to focus in on the material to find a starting point. When you want or need to write something, you may have to prod your subconscious into it—find a hidden moment or image that can become something. Generative exercises are helpful for starting from scratch when you think you’re out of ideas, and some might help you figure out what happens next. The links below provide a few generative exercises to get you going:

Works Referenced:

The Power Of Poetry: A Beginner’s Guide To Writing Poetry

• The Power Of Poetry
• Additional Resources

Interest in poetry has been on the rise lately. Among students and children, surveys suggest that today around a quarter of them read poetry recreationally and around a fifth write poetry recreationally , which is a significant increase compared to the last decade. Similar significant increases in interest in poetry have been seen among adults, especially young adults . 

Since the interest is clearly there , it would make sense to incorporate poetry into a curriculum and to use it to increase student’s engagement with learning. To help, we will explain some of the powerful benefits of teaching poetry as well as provide activities and resources that will assist in teaching poetry to students and children.  

The power of poetry

Poetry can be a powerful tool in the classroom. Research and scientific studies have shown that students who engage with poetry as part of their learning demonstrate higher reading skills, creative writing skills, and enthusiasm for literature . Poetry also gives students the opportunity to increase their vocabulary and oral communication skills. Poetry also often allows students to gain higher cultural awareness by being introduced to views, experiences, and societies beyond their own. In addition to all of that, reading poetry has been shown to be good for a person’s mental health and can help students learn empathy and compassion for others .

So, it should go without saying that there are lots of benefits to teaching students poetry. But are there methods to present poetry to students in a way that even those who find poetry intimidating or uninteresting will find engaging?

Poetry activities

To help increase interest in learning poetry, many teachers find it helpful to introduce students to it using different activities. Listed below are just some ideas of activities that may help students find poetry more appealing or exciting.

• Have students read their favorite poem aloud. Ask them to explain why they like it and why they feel a connection to it. 
• Create a poem by having each student contribute a line. 
• Introduce a new type of poem (acrostic, limerick, haiku, etc.) to students each week and hold a weekly challenge where students write a different style of poem. 
• Have students memorize a poem and recite it back.
• Have students write poetry about their favorite thing from popular culture or from the perspective of a favorite fictional character.
• Ask students to find a song they like and see if they can find what poetic techniques the artist used, such as rhyme scheme, metaphor, or personification, for example.
• Build “pop sonnets” by challenging students to transform a modern song into a specific type of poem or to transform a classic poem into a modern pop song. 
• Challenge students to make a poem using a weird word list or words that don’t seem to go well together. 

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Additional Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com poetry and writing resources

Writing poetry is an exciting way to build vocabulary. And we provide much more than vocabulary resources that can inspire novice and advanced poets alike. Browse our writing guides related to poetry for more ideas.

▶ More Poetry Activities For Kids

In honor of World Poetry Day, we’ve crafted this collection of surefire ways to instill appreciation and excitement for the vast world of poetry.

▶ Learn How To Write a Haiku

Here’s what you need to know to write a traditional or modern haiku. Learn the history of this Japanese form and read a variety of examples from the masters.

▶ Poetic Foot vs. Poetic Meter 

Poetry has a lot of moving parts, and a great place to start is by understanding rhythm and sequence. Learn the difference between a poetic foot and meter.

▶ Are There Any Words Without a Rhyme? 

It’s the age-old question… or at least the age-old word game question: are there any words without rhymes?

▶ Poetry Terms For Beginners

There’s no better time than now to learn how to talk about the poetry you love. Here are 10 basic terms explained so you’ll be poetry-ready all year long.

▶ Poetry Terms For Advanced Poets 

Impress your teachers and friends with your knowledge of these advanced poetic terms that will help you read and understand poetry like an expert.

▶ 12 Essential Types of Poetry 

There are many different kinds of poetry out there. Learn more about 12 essential types of poetry to expand your poetry knowledge.

▶ Positive Words Starting With A to Z 

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Poetry Writing Templates: Tools To Help You Write Your Best Poems

Are you tired of feeling stuck in your poetry writing? Do you find yourself struggling to come up with new ideas or fresh language? Well, fear not! Poetry writing templates may just be the tool you need to take your writing to the next level.

By utilizing the structure and guidelines provided by these templates, you can experiment with different poetic forms and free verse structures, ultimately creating more dynamic and engaging poems.

Whether you consider yourself a seasoned poet or a beginner, these templates can help you improve your craft and inspire new ideas.

So, let’s dive in and explore how poetry writing templates can help you write your best poems yet!

Key Takeaways

• Poetry writing templates provide structure and guidelines for different poetic forms, making it easier to stay focused on your message and create a clear and concise theme.
• Traditional poetic forms like Sonnets, Haikus, and Villanelles can help structure your poems and create a more impactful message, but require mastery of meter and rhyme scheme.
• Contemporary free verse poetry allows for experimentation with form and structure, characterized by its absence of rhyme and meter.
• Experimenting with different forms and styles, personalization techniques, and creative prompts can help expand your poetic repertoire and take your poetry to the next level.

Traditional Poetic Forms

If you want to improve your poetry writing skills, it’s time to explore traditional poetic forms like Sonnets, Haikus, and Villanelles. These templates will help you structure your poems and create a more impactful message.

With Sonnets, you can follow the 14-line structure to express your emotions and tell a story.

Haikus, on the other hand, are perfect for capturing a moment in time with just 17 syllables.

Lastly, Villanelles can help you repeat a key message throughout your poem while adding lyrical depth.

You’ll find that sonnets can be a challenging but rewarding form of poetry to master. The sonnet is a 14-line poem that originated in Italy and was popularized by Shakespeare in England.

There are two main types of sonnets: Shakespearean, which follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and Petrarchan, which follows the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA CDCDCD or CDECDE.

The key to writing a successful sonnet is mastering the meter. Sonnets are typically written in iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed/stressed syllables. However, some poets choose to write sonnets in trochaic tetrameter, which follows a pattern of stressed/unstressed syllables.

Regardless of the meter you choose, writing a sonnet requires skill and practice. But once you’ve mastered this form, you’ll have a powerful tool in your poetic arsenal.

Haikus are the perfect way to capture the essence of a moment in just three short lines, creating vivid and powerful imagery in the reader’s mind.

Nature inspired haikus are particularly powerful as they allow us to connect with the natural world on a deeper level. They can transport us to a serene, peaceful place with just a few words.

Haikus can also be used for emotional expression. They’re a powerful tool to convey complex emotions in a concise and impactful way. Whether it’s joy, sadness, or even anger, haikus can help us express our feelings in a way that’s both beautiful and cathartic.

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by emotion, try writing a haiku and see how it helps you process those feelings.

Villanelles

Listen closely to the rhythmic repetition of the refrains in villanelles, allowing the words to wrap around you like a warm embrace.

Villanelles are a form of poetry that originated in France and are known for their intricate repetition of lines. It may seem daunting at first, but revisiting villanelles can help you master the form and break tradition by modernizing it.

To start, familiarize yourself with the structure of a villanelle. It consists of 19 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme and two repeating refrains. The first and third lines of the first stanza become the refrain lines, and they alternate as the last line of each subsequent tercet until the final quatrain where they both appear again.

Once you have grasped this, you can start breaking the rules and experimenting with modernizing villanelles. Try using unconventional refrains or changing the rhyme scheme to make it your own.

With some practice and creativity, you can create a fresh and innovative take on this traditional form.

Contemporary Free Verse Structures

If you’re looking for a way to break free from traditional structures, contemporary free verse poetry can be a canvas where your thoughts flow like a river, unencumbered by rhyme and meter. This type of poetry is characterized by its absence of rhyme and meter, which allows the writer to experiment with form and structure.

Contemporary free verse poetry is all about expressing your thoughts and emotions in a way that feels natural to you, without the constraints of a preconceived structure. One popular form of contemporary free verse poetry is blank verse, which is a form of poetry that uses unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter. This structure allows for a natural flow of language and can be used to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in your poetry.

Another popular form of contemporary free verse poetry is concrete poetry, which uses the physical arrangement of the words on the page to create meaning. This type of poetry allows the writer to experiment with the visual aspect of their work, creating a unique and immersive experience for the reader.

So if you’re looking to break free from traditional structures and experiment with new forms of poetry, contemporary free verse structures may be just what you need.

Using Poetry Writing Templates to Improve Your Craft

You’ve been exploring the various contemporary free verse structures and experimenting with different ways to structure your poems.

But have you ever considered using customizable templates to improve your poetry writing? Templates are an excellent tool for streamlining your creative process, providing a structure for your thoughts, and helping you create more polished poems.

Customizable templates allow you to choose the structure that best suits your style and subject matter. You can select the number of stanzas, lines per stanza, and even the rhyme scheme. This gives you a starting point for your poem and helps you avoid the dreaded writer’s block.

Using a template can also help you stay focused on your message, ensuring that your poem has a clear and concise theme. The benefits of structure are numerous, and customizable templates provide an easy and effective way to incorporate it into your poetry writing.

So why not give it a try and see how it can take your poetry to the next level?

Tips for Experimenting with Poetry Writing Templates

Experimenting with customizable structures allows for greater creativity and flexibility in crafting meaningful verses. Creative prompts are a great way to spark inspiration and can be tailored to fit your personal writing style.

By using templates, you can focus on the content of your poem without worrying too much about structure. This will allow you to experiment with different forms and styles that you may not have considered before. Personalization techniques are another way to make a template your own.

Changing the length of lines, syllable count, or even the order of stanzas can completely transform the meaning of a poem. Don’t be afraid to play around with the template until it feels like it truly embodies your voice and message. The beauty of poetry is that there’s no one right way to do it, so don’t be afraid to take risks.

By using customizable structures and personalization techniques, you can push the boundaries of traditional poetry and create something truly unique.

So there you have it, aspiring poets! With the help of poetry writing templates, you can elevate your writing and explore new forms and structures.

From traditional poetic forms to contemporary free verse, there is a template out there to suit every writer’s style and preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different templates and techniques, and remember that writing poetry is all about expressing yourself and your unique voice.

With the right tools and a bit of practice, you can create truly breathtaking and impactful works of art. So go forth and write, and let your imagination run wild.

Recommended Reading...

Muse of poetry: understanding the inspiration behind poetic creation, onomatopoeia in poetry: exploring the use of sound words in poems, play vs screenplay writing: key differences and similarities, poems that rhyme: understanding and writing rhyming poetry.

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What is poetry? Well, it’s the oldest form of literature, a full-throated inquiry into the human experience, a means of compressing life into the fewest words, etc.

All of these things are true, yet none of them convey a useful introduction to poetry. Defining this deceptive term d’arte is hard . Not because we can’t easily identify a poem, but because poetry has a wide range of definitions and histories.

So, let’s provide them all then. This article answers the question “what is poetry?” at a formal, philosophical, and personal level. We will examine a brief history of poetry, look at how poets themselves have defined poetry, and answer, decisively, what makes a poem, a poem.

But first and foremost, what is poetry?

What is Poetry?: Contents

What is Poetry at the Formal Level?

What is poetry at the philosophical level, what is poetry at the personal level, quotes about poetry, the fundamentals of poetry, poetry as exploration into language, poetry as expansion of language, poems about poetry writing: the ars poetica, helping you define poetry for yourself, what is poetry: further resources on poetry writing, poetry definition: introduction to poetry.

Poetry is, at its most basic, the deliberate use of artful language to convey essential truths about the world.

Poetry definition: the deliberate use of artful language to convey essential truths about the world.

Now, if that poetry definition seems kind of basic and wildly abstract, it kind of is. But that’s because, if we get any more particular, we’re bound to come across exceptions.

For example, I didn’t mention line breaks in that definition. Line breaks are a common craft tool for poets, but prose poets don’t use line breaks, and a prose poem falls under the category of poetry.

Or, I could have mentioned that a poem is about the poet’s personal life. But then I would be excluding persona poetry , a form of poetry in which the poet adopts the voice of another person or entity and writes from their perspective.

Poetry is an expansive, hard-to-summarize form of literature. Poetry is the summary of itself. So let’s get in the weeds of this a little further. What is poetry at the formal, philosophical, and personal level?

What differentiates poetry from prose? (And why do prose poems have to come and make things more complicated?)

Prose is any sort of linear text, written in sentences and paragraphs, in which the text gets broken randomly at the end of the page. This blogpost that you’re currently reading is an example of prose. Prose typically communicates ideas and information, as well as stories.

Prose is any sort of linear text, written in sentences and paragraphs, in which the text gets broken randomly at the end of the page. Poetry, by contrast, is not as linear in form or syntax.

Poetry, by contrast, is not as linear in form or syntax. The sentence structures of poetry tend to be more complex. Additionally, poetry also utilizes line breaks, meaning that a line of text is intentionally broken, sometimes creating contrasts or double meanings in the text. This makes the line its own discrete unit of poetry.

Prose; words in their best order; – poetry; the best words in the best order. ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Here’s a short but powerful example of poetry: “Dreams” by Langston Hughes .

Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.

Prose poetry falls under the umbrella of poetry, though it’s also its own thing. It is poetry that, like prose, is written from one end of the page to the other, with lines randomly broken. In forsaking the sacred line break, prose poems require a different attention to word choice , but you can easily identify prose poetry vis a vis regular prose, as the language is more artful and elevated, and the writing imparts feelings and philosophies, rather than just stories or information.

Here’s an example of prose poetry: “Be Drunk” by Charles Baudelaire

You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it—it’s the only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk.

But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk.

And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or gone, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying, everything that is groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything that is speaking. . .ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: “It is time to be drunk! So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk! On wine, on poetry or on virtue as you wish.”

See the difference? Learn more about poetry vs prose here:

https://writers.com/prose-vs-poetry

Identifying the formal distinctions between prose and poetry are helpful, but perhaps not enough. Just adding line breaks to a piece of prose does not make it a poem. Here’s why:

Just adding line breaks to a piece of prose does not make it a poem.

All I did here was chop up a sentence. Sure, it looks like a poem. But adding those line breaks didn’t alter the meaning of the text; I didn’t uncover anything true, unusual, surprising, or human in doing this.

So what is poetry, if not lineated sentences? What makes a poem, a poem?

Poetry is an attempt to uncover deeper truths about the human experience.

Poetry is an attempt to uncover deeper truths about the human experience. (This is true even if the poem is written from the perspective of a marble or a mouse.) Even poems written with the express purpose of humor or entertainment will, in some way, strike at the heart of what it means to be alive.

Paradoxically, the best way for a poem to do this is to find the universal in the particular. In other words, poets don’t do themselves any favors by making grand, sweeping statements about the world; nor is it wise to write a poem that’s vague, abstracted, or highly generalized. For example:

Why do I want to drown in anything that looks beautiful? Salt water stings the more you open your wounds.

I would hesitate to call this a poem. Yes, it’s using line breaks, and yes, it’s commenting on the human experience. But the writing is so vague, so disconnected from anything in particular, and so general that I can’t glean meaning from it. There are metaphors, but they’re not attached to anything specific. I have to insert myself generously into the text in order for it to mean anything, and in that case, I’m doing more of the poet’s work than the poet is.

It would be like an artist putting up a mirror in an art gallery and titling the mirror “Portrait.” A nice sentiment, but ultimately lazy, and any sort of artful interpretation requires the audience to do more than the artist. Maybe this is postpostpostpostpostpost-modernism, or whatever. But it isn’t poetry.

Two things are true:

• Poetry is the oldest form of literature: it has its own rules and requirements, a highly expansive canon, and countless historical movements, each of which have expanded the possibilities of the artform.
• Poetry is a highly individual form of literature: it means something different to everyone who writes and reads it.

The definition of poetry differs for each poet. This is because poetry is, above all, a reflection of our humanity. We share this humanity with one another, yet we each experience it in our own unique way. While I can answer “what is poetry” as a poet and an academic, I cannot answer what poetry is for you .

Poetry is, above all, a reflection of our humanity.

Every poet embarks on their own unique journey of poetry. I came to the art form when I was a teenager. For me, poetry was liberatory. Here was a means of self-expression that tethered me to the Earth. I grew up queer in a less-than-tolerant society, surrounded by people who didn’t know how to help me (or were actively against me), overwhelmed with feelings and anxieties that no one could create space for.

Poetry created that space for me. Reading the works of other queer poets made me feel significantly less alone in my experiences, and I felt empowered to write my own experiences into poetry, too, even if the poems themselves weren’t that good.

Believe me: they weren’t good. I’ll occasionally stumble on something I wrote when I was 16, and my entire body winces. Of course, this is because I’ve since turned poetry into a career choice, so I’m quite particular about what a good poem is and isn’t. I sympathize with what I was going through as a teenager, but it’s still poetry I wrote, and the poetry is Not That Good.

My point is, I define poetry in this way:

An exploration of emotion, crystalized in language, that reflects and refracts the poet’s individual experiences.

Your poetry definition will differ, and it will differ based on the journey you’ve taken through poetry. In fact, your definition might completely disagree with mine. You might even think the not-poems I shared are actually poems. That’s great. In the same way that poetic movements have disagreed with each other, so, too, will poets disagree on what a poem is and isn’t.

The great thing about poetry is, two definitions completely at odds with each other will both be true.

The great thing about poetry is, two definitions completely at odds with each other will both be true. The goal, then, is to define and redefine poetry for yourself, and to write in pursuit of that poetry definition. Hopefully, the resources throughout this article help make that possible.

Before we continue, it’s helpful to hear how other poets have defined poetry for themselves. Here are some quotes about poetry to move, inspire, and challenge you.

• “Poems are moments’ monuments.” —Sylvia Plath
• “Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” —Carl Sandburg
• “Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.” —T. S. Eliot
• “Poetry is the liquid voice that can wear through stone.” —Adrienne Rich
• “Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.” —Rita Dove
• “I would define, in brief, the poetry of words, as the rhythmical creation of beauty.” —Edgar Allan Poe
• “Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.” —Plato
• “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” —William Wordsworth
• “We make out of the quarrel with others, rhetoric, but of the quarrel with ourselves, poetry.” —William Butler Yeats
• “Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.” —Paul Engle
• “Poetry is emotion put into measure. The emotion must come by nature, but the measure can be acquired by art.” —Thomas Hardy
• “If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” —Emily Dickinson
• “Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.” —Percy Bysshe Shelley
• “Poetry is man’s rebellion against being what he is.” —James Branch Cabell
• “Poems come out of wonder, not out of knowing.” —Lucille Clifton
• “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought, and the thought has found words.” —Robert Frost

And, here’s a longer definition of poetry that I personally deeply enjoy. Retrieved here.

[you know how, when you’re a young kid, your parents take you to visit a lake, and you’re doing all that fun young kid stuff like cannonballs off the dock, digging your toes into the mud, pretending to be a mermaid or a manatee or submarine captain? when suddenly the clouds that had covered the sun move aside, and the surface of the lake is touched everywhere with bright gold flecks of light, and you stop what you’re doing to stare in awe at something you’d never realized before was so heart-wrenchingly beautiful? and the moment is gone as quick as it came, you’re right back to splashing water at one of your siblings, but that night, after showers and dinner and climbing into bed, just before you fall asleep, the image of the sun-kissed lake returns to you, hazy with your almost-dreaming but still so warm and striking? poetry is the written act of recognizing the way the light touches the water and the way that you looking at this changes you]

What is Poetry: Getting Into the Weeds of Craft

Hopefully, you now have at least an idea of what makes a poem, a poem. So let’s dig a bit deeper into the artform. What are the craft tools and techniques that poets use to make good poetry? How do poets achieve their poems?

“Craft is a trick you make up to let you write the poem.” —Anne Sexton

Different poetic movements have emphasized different ideas and craft techniques. For example, the Modernists emphasized imagery and symbolism as a means of conveying our core experiences. (The poet William Carlos Williams once said “no ideas but in things.”) The Romantics, by contrast, concerned themselves with nature, imagination, and the value of emotion over intellect to strike at the truth of mankind’s existence.

Both eras produced excellent poetry that move readers to this day. So we can’t exactly emphasize one craft technique over another.

Nonetheless, here are some of the basic craft tools poets have at their disposal. Poets both classic and contemporary employ these techniques to achieve their vision for their work:

• Concrete language: A poem can be visualized and felt in the brain. Poets make this possible by using concrete language and imagery. Poems can certainly have abstract language—words like “soul,” “God,” “Capitalism,” “sadness,” etc.—but a poem tends to be more evocative if it explores those concepts in concrete language.
• Similes, metaphors, and analogies : Things are like other things. Poets know this. Good poetry will often make surprising and unexpected connections, using these particular literary devices to reshape how we see the world.
• Concision: Not a word is wasted in a poem. Poetry strikes at the heart of something in the fewest words possible, and this economy of language is essential to making a poem powerful and moving.
• The “Show, Don’t Tell” rule: A poem doesn’t tell me thoughts and feelings, it shows me through concrete, specific language. By following this rule, poems can create embodied experiences, or transmit the true feeling of what it means to be alive.
• Musicality and word play : Language is the poet’s sandbox, and a good poem will often incorporate play with sound and words. But don’t assume these tools are all fun and jest: good sound and wordplay can certainly surprise and move the reader.
• A sense of transformation: A good poem “takes a leap.” The poem will end somewhere completely different than where it began, or even take a journey back to where it started, yet still radically transformed.
• Interplay with form: A poem is improved by the form it’s written in. In fact, a poem’s form and language are inextricably intertwined: change the form, and you change the meaning with it. Formal considerations include rhyme, meter, line lengths, stanza lengths, and whether the poem is written in free verse or in a specific poetry form .

There are many more tools and techniques than what we’ve listed here, but these topics feel universal to poets, especially contemporary ones. If you’re interested in getting in the weeds, check out our article on poetic devices:

https://writers.com/literary-devices-in-poetry

Something I love about poetry is its rapt attention to language. I’ve often found that words know more than I do, and if I listen to them closely, they’ll tell me exactly where I need to go.

This happens on a few levels:

• Musically: How might the sounds of one word suggest the sounds of the words around it? Poets might employ consonance, assonance, euphony, cacophony, or even meter, end rhyme, or internal rhyme to improve the feel of the poem’s sound.
• Semantically: Poets attuned to the possibilities of language will employ words that have double or multiple meanings. They might know which word is the most surprising and unexpected to use, which word is the most urgent, which is the most humorous, and which words not to use at all.
• Formally: A poem’s meaning is complemented by its form. How might a poem’s meaning be altered as a sonnet versus, say, a villanelle ? Or, more granularly, how might using a line or stanza break on a certain word emphasize that word? The line as a whole?
• Unconsciously: Poets often can’t explain the decisions they made in service of the poem. Those decisions sometimes happen unconsciously, or in a state of negative capability . But the more you read and write poetry and become attuned to language, the more you’re likely to make bold, powerful decisions in your work, even if you don’t yet understand them.

Let’s look at a case study. If you’ve paid any attention to the landscape of contemporary poetry, you might have noticed that few poets employ a rhyme scheme in their work. In fact, ask a few poets about rhyme, and you’re bound to hear someone say that rhyme schemes are too restrictive, they make for bad or unserious poetry, etc.

I don’t believe those things to be inherently true. But I do believe that poets sometimes shoehorn rhymes into their work. They manage to pull off the rhyme scheme, but they’ve effectively dampened the quality of the poem’s language, opting for the less impactful word and altering the poem’s mood .

The solution, if the poet desires a rhyme scheme, is to listen to the possibilities of language. Let’s say you’re trying to rhyme with the word “flight.” There are a lot of words that rhyme with “flight,” to the point that a rhyming dictionary might just overwhelm you. So now you have to start thinking about language at the semantic and unconscious level. Semantically, “flight” might be in opposition to “fight,” “tight,” “alight”; its meaning might be complicated or expanded upon by “night,” “write,” plight,” and so on.

By rhyming words together, you are automatically putting them in conversation. One tip I like to give poets is to just look at the end words of their lines. Can the meaning of the poem be gleaned just by the progression of those end words?

And so what decision should the rhyming poet make? They need to listen closely to language to find the answer, which is triangulated between the sounds of words, their meanings, and what the poet’s unconscious guides them towards. This takes patient, careful attention; it’s not a decision that can just be made and moved on from.

Even if you don’t write rhyming poetry, this close attention to language is an essential skill to hone in your work. Good poetry writing is rarely easy, but patience and careful observation will take the poet far in their work.

“A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language.” – W. H. Auden

Poetry is a sandbox for language. It is where words are used at their most innovative, where language is stretched and expanded, possibly even tortured into new possibilities. Any writer will tell you about how hard it is to get words to tell the truth. Poetry is often a site of truthfulness.

This is not to say that prose can’t tell the truth, or that prose writers don’t also innovate and expand the possibilities of language. But when prose does this, it’s employing the skills and techniques that poets use to craft good poetry.

Innovation in poetry happens at the levels defined above: musically, semantically, formally, and unconsciously. Within those levels, poets are looking for new ways to make language sing, to expand the meanings and usages of words, to push the boundaries of what language can accomplish, and to strike at the heart of what it means to be alive, which is never an easy feat.

Sometimes, poets end up creating new forms of poetry, like Terrance Hayes did with The Golden Shovel . The great thing about poetry is that we can create our own containers before filling them with words, and innovating at the formal level helps us juxtapose language against itself in new and transformative ways.

Other times, poets end up coining new words and phrases, like the 1,700-odd additions Shakespeare made to the English lexicon .

“Poetry is like a bird, it ignores all frontiers.” —Yevgeny Yevtushenko

As you embark on your poetry journey, you’ll find a poem’s possibilities more exciting and less daunting over time. Eventually you, too, will start tinkering with new ways to say what you need to say. Learning the ropes of poetry helps with this, but it also happens naturally, as poets are keenly attuned to language unlike the practitioners of any other profession.

Because poets can write about anything, they’re bound to write about poetry as well. In fact, there’s a genre dedicated to poems about poetry writing—the ars poetica (Latin: “art of poetry”).

Here’s an ars poetica that always moves me when I read it: “Ars Poetica” by Archibald MacLeish

Ars Poetica

A poem should be palpable and mute As a globed fruit,

Dumb As old medallions to the thumb,

Silent as the sleeve-worn stone Of casement ledges where the moss has grown—

A poem should be wordless As the flight of birds.

A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs,

Leaving, as the moon releases Twig by twig the night-entangled trees,

Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves, Memory by memory the mind—

A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs.

A poem should be equal to: Not true.

For all the history of grief An empty doorway and a maple leaf.

For love The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea—

A poem should not mean But be.

Hopefully this ars poetica’s poetry definitions inspire your writing. If not, here are some other ars poetica examples that might inspire you:

• “Ars Poetica #100: I Believe” by Elizabeth Alexander
• “What Do You Believe A Poem Shd Do?” By Ntozake Shange
• “Ars Poetica” by Horace
• “Ars Poetica?” by Czesław Miłosz
• “The Bear” by Galway Kinnell
• “What He Thought” by Heather McHugh

Throughout this article, we’ve answered “what is poetry?” From a variety of angles: the formal, philosophical, and personal; the craft elements that make a good poem; and dozens of quotes and poems that answer this oft-spoken question. Every poet defines poetry differently, and so will every article on the internet.

Are these all correct definitions? How can poetry be all of these things at once? To answer this, I would have to wax poetic about what “correct” really means, and about poetry’s multifaceted, incessantly ineffable nature. But none of those things will be helpful here. What matters much more is this: How do you define poetry?

This is a question that can easily take a lifetime to answer. Arguably, a poet’s work is their answer to the question.

Nonetheless, whether you’re a seasoned poet or new to writing in verse, defining poetry for yourself might help you refine your poetics or figure out how you want to think about poetry. The many poetry definitions we’ve provided are all expansive in their own way, pinpointing what makes a poem while giving poetry infinite space to expand.

I want you to think about a few things. Maybe even journal about these questions, and see what arises.

• What are some poems that have moved you, shifted your perspective, or moved you deeply?
• Why did those poems move you deeply? Can you point to experiences within the text that did so? Or was it the overall poem that left you in awe? (Both are possible!)
• What do those poems have in common? Think about this laterally. If they have entirely different forms, subject matter, and craft elements, zoom out to make those connections. Maybe each poem changed your view of the world, taught you something about yourself, or surprised you at a lyrical or musical level. But there are plenty of other ways a poem can move you—again, journal about it!
• Think about poems that you’ve written, if you’ve written any. What did you enjoy about the process? What challenged you? Did you feel light afterwards, like something had been untangled in your chest, or perhaps the opposite? How did writing poetry free you? What did it communicate that prose couldn’t?
• Try defining poetry by defining its opposite. Not prose, which is simply a continuation of language’s possibilities, but the opposite of poetry, which is no poetry . What would language be missing if it didn’t have poetry? What would you be missing if you didn’t have poetry?

Spend some time on these questions. You might stumble into a working definition of poetry for yourself, or you might find more questions to answer. If you really want to be bold, answer these questions in your own ars poetica!

In any case, I’d love to hear how you define poetry for yourself. Share your poetry definition in the comments!

Here are some guides on writing and reading a poem to help further your poetry craft.

• Becoming a Poet: Learn to Write Poetry!
• How to Write a Poem
• On Starting a Poem
• How to Read Poetry (Like a Poet!)
• What is Form in Poetry?

Explore the Possibilities of Poetry at Writers.com

The best place to explore poetry is in a course at Writers.com. Take a look at our upcoming online poetry workshops , where you’ll receive expert guidance and feedback on the craft of poetry writing.

Sean Glatch

Thank you so much. This is comprehensive on so many dimensions. So needed and so appreciated.

My pleasure, Beverly!

Poetry An idea conceived in the brain, Massaged in the mind Filtered through the heart Released through the fingers.

Poetry Viewed by the eyes Heard by the ears Interpreted in the brain Passionately playing on the strings of the heart.

(C) Ronald Harvey Wohl 2024

So helpful! Lots to think on. I want, and try to, tell stories of historical interest like Ted Kooser’s poem about the Black Hawk massacre. A beautiful poem that got the history right. I think I’m more of a storyteller who wants to be a poet?

I love certain words, some uncertain ones I invite to birthdays, dinners at my home. They always behave in declarative tense. Their old host, I adore them. Verbs are Good company, moderate in consumption, Table manners like those of Emily Post.

Why am I lying like this? They make fun Of me. At times I do not understand them. It should be impossible for adverbs to lift A full bottle of Pinot Noir, just as bees Bumbling about defy the laws of physics. Yet the old Beaune is gone. No matter

My thirst I could not find it. Or them. Cats Snore softly. I have anniversaries to keep.

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Need help starting a poem? We’ve got you covered.

Every Wednesday between July 10 and July 31, 2024, we will publish a new installment of  Summer Songs , a series of generative prompts from Academy Chancellor and Pulitzer Prize winner  Diane Seuss . Inspired by poems from our archives, and featured in our weekly newsletter, these exercises are designed to breathe life into your summer writing.

Not subscribed to the Academy Newsletter? S ign up for free here .

Summer Songs  is part of the Poetry Coalition’s slate of programs in the spring and summer that reflect the transformative impact poetry has on individual readers and communities across the nation, and is made possible with support from the Mellon Foundation. Learn more about the Poetry Coalition’s season of programs  here .

If you enjoy  Summer Songs , become a member of the Academy of American Poets to get exclusive access to writing prompts from today’s best poets year-round. Join today .

Read  “Lines Written During My Second Pandemic” by Eduardo C. Corral .

In Corral’s brief commentary on “Lines Written During My Second Pandemic,” he tells us that the first line, “All water flows toward loneliness,” emerged early in the Covid pandemic, and that he then looked through his notebooks for “language that orbits loneliness.” I love that process. Not all of us keep notebooks or journals, but we all carry them in our imaginations in one way or another. Note that all the lines in this fourteen-line poem are end-stopped . No enjambment here. This contributes to our experience of each line as its own unit of sublimity. Unity in the poem arrives via the coherence of the sonnet -like form, and from the appearance of his keyword—loneliness—in every line.

Write the opening line of a fourteen-line poem that reflects your current emotional state via an image. If you have journals, comb them for lines on the same subject; if you don’t, comb your memory, and generate lines which—remember—are end-stopped. In other words, each line is a complete sentence. Feel free to leap from line to line without worrying about plot or narrative coherence. The image reigns, here. The word you use for your emotional state will appear in every line.  

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Spartan Alert

Pride and poetry, according to emilia phillips.

Posted on June 25, 2024

On a dreary Thursday night in February, a group gathered at Scuppernong Books in downtown Greensboro for a reading of a new collection of poetry by Emilia Phillips . Phillips had just released their fifth collection of poetry, entitled “Nonbinary Bird of Paradise,” but this was no typical book reading.  

Phillips gathered UNCG students and alumni to read original works and selected text that inspired their latest poems. All in attendance raved about how the reading was a celebration of voices and art and the flow of inspiration. For Phillips, all of this is intertwined.  

An Artist Spreads Their Wings  

A UNCG professor since 2017, Phillips is an associate professor of creative writing where they teach poetry workshops and serve as core poetry faculty for the Masters of Fine Art in Creative Writing . Phillips also has cross-appointments in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and English departments teaching the Queer Poetry and Poetics class and the Women’s Health and Bodies class to undergraduates.  

Being a poet, a teacher, and a voice for the LGBTQIA+ community is all part of the creative process for Phillips. “I can’t teach poetry unless I’m writing it and vice versa,” she says. “My constant dialogue with students informs my work.”  

“Nonbinary Bird of Paradise” is a prime example of Phillips’ exploratory style of poetry, but this latest collection focuses on gender and the ways cultural, religious and mythological narratives support heterosexuality as “the norm”. 

In “Nonbinary Bird of Paradise,” Phillips’ challenge of compulsory heterosexuality cuts right to the chase. The first section includes twelve poems in the voice of Eve from the Bible. It imagines if Eve wasn’t born straight and was never desiring of Adam but had no other choices of partners. 

“My writing is definitely informed by my own worldview, experience, gender journey and sexuality,” says Phillips, who was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “I couldn’t have written the Eve sequence without getting to a certain point of my own reflections and self-work, but I was nervous when the book came out because it does deal so explicitly with sex and gender and sexuality.”  

The poem that inspired the book’s title is also extremely personal. “It’s a love poem for my partner,” Phillips explains. “I imagined if I was a bird of paradise, how would I woo my partner without the fancy plumage.”  

Phillips admits that most of their poetry is part autobiographical and part creative, but its fiction label opens doors for creative freedom, a principle they encourage in the classroom as well.   

Birds of a Feather Writing Together  

Phillips’ classes provide a safe space for building art and students appreciate the sense of community they find at UNCG’s English department. 

“Emilia prioritizes community not only in the classroom but outside of it too,” second-year MFA student Liz Bruce explains. “We are constantly sharing resources and opportunities and celebrating each other.” 

Recent MFA graduate Kay Zeiss is a private practice therapist working with adults who have experienced trauma. They are particularly dialed into using writing to process trauma. Self-identifying as genderqueer and nonbinary, Zeiss was particularly interested in working under Phillips’ mentorship and thrived in the department. 

“My goal isn’t to become this famous writer,” Zeiss confesses. “I just hope my writing can be of service to someone. Folks are really interested in being able to articulate their experience and find language for something that they didn’t have before. There’s a community and compassion there that I want to help facilitate.” 

Attracting creative minds like this to UNCG is exactly what Phillips had in mind when they joined the English department in 2017. Establishing a close-knit community within a larger campus community, which serves minorities and has historically been a safe place for LGBTQIA+ youth, provided the perfect environment for Phillips’ poetry to take root. 

“Having representation in the classroom and also having representation in my work out in the world is very important to me,” Phillips says. 

Artistic Reflections   

This high regard for representation and community made it natural for Phillips to invite students to share inspirational text at their book reading. “My students are among the most important people in my life,” they said. “Including them made it really festive.”  

“I’ve been to multiple readings at Scuppernong and this one was definitely different in that there was a huge crowd of people there to celebrate,” said Bruce, who read “[Poem about Naomi; unsent]” by Rachel Mennies at Phillips’ book reading. 

Zeiss read an original poem publicly for the first time at Phillips’ reading. “Hymnal to Transqueer Futures” reflects on grief following the death of Nex Benedict and ponders hope for the future of nonbinary and transqueer children. Zeiss dedicated it to Maddie Poole, another writer in attendance.  “I was so honored to be a part of this group,” they said. “It was very tender and sweet to have other people in the MFA program that I care about in this line-up of incredible poets. Reading my poem felt like an offering to the community.”  

Bruce, and others who participated in the event, felt similarly grateful to be a part of Phillips’ unveiling of “Nonbinary Bird of Paradise.” 

“Because of Emilia’s decision to platform multiple voices and multiple authors, they recognize that writing isn’t created in a vacuum,” Bruce says. “It was a celebration of the community as much as the book, because the community influenced the making of the book in so many ways.” 

UNCG has nothing but pride for communities like Emilia Phillips’ that bring art into the world to spur curiosity and impart understanding. We celebrate this during Pride month, as we do throughout the year. 

Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.   Photography courtesy of Felipe Troncoso  

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I’m finding the joy in writing again with a little help from the Supernote Nomad

Handwriting, i just can’t quit you..

I've recently accepted the fact that I am, and always will be, a pen-and-paper kind of gal. When it comes to writing, nothing does it for me quite like the act of scrawling by hand. I’m more creative, less distracted and more emotionally invested in what I’m doing than when I type on a keyboard.

But over the last decade or so of writing professionally, I've become disconnected from writing by hand. I spend most of my time hunched over a laptop, and have unwittingly conditioned myself into writing almost exclusively in this way for the sake of efficiency. While that’s undoubtedly what works best for the day-to-day demands of news blogging (I mean, how else could we do it?), my shift away from notebooks has killed my will to do any creative writing outside of work. These days, every time I crack open a laptop to write in my off-hours, it feels like a chore.

But what also feels like a chore is typing up pages upon pages of handwritten text after dumping all the words in my brain out onto paper. This burden is what first got me looking into digital notepads; since many of them can convert handwritten notes to text files, they’re kind of the best of both worlds. For a while, though, none of the available options really spoke to me — the reMarkable 2 and other E Ink tablets are just too big for my taste. Then, Ratta came out with the Supernote Nomad , and I was sold.

Supernote Nomad

The Nomad is perfectly compact. With a 7.8-inch screen, it’s more like the size of an ereader, meaning I can toss it in a mini-backpack and bring it with me everywhere — and I do. My Nomad arrived in May (I ordered the $329 Crystal version, because I’m a sucker for a transparent shell) and I've been using it just about every day since. I was cautiously optimistic about what actually writing on this thing would be like, but it exceeded all of my expectations.

It took only a few minutes to get used to, which mainly came down to me getting over my somewhat irrational fear that the pen — the one that’s made for this device — would scratch the display. (It was expensive, okay?) The tablet doesn’t come with a writing implement, and I shelled out a little extra for the $89 Heart of Metal pen, a decision I’m super happy with. It’s nothing like a stylus, but instead has a sharp, precision tip like a real pen — hence my initial hesitation.

The experience of writing on the Nomad is so close to the feeling of actually using a pen and paper. There’s texture to it, something you don’t get with the smooth experience of writing on an iPad. I write pretty fast, and haven't had many issues so far with lagging. It comes with a bunch of writing templates, including lined “paper” with a few different ruling size options, and you can create your own templates or download those made by others. I haven't messed around much yet with custom versions, though, because the built-in offerings have been adequate for free writing, note-taking and organizing my life.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well the handwriting recognition tool has been able to convert my chicken scratch to typed text. My handwriting is fine at best, but when I'm working fast, things can get pretty messy. It's not 100 percent accurate — it’ll throw in the occasional string of gibberish — but the device mostly gets it right. You can export the converted writing as a .TXT or .DOCX file, and have the Nomad format it for you. This requires some cleaning up, but it’s never a huge job.

Supernote devices can sync with a number of different cloud storage providers, like Dropbox and Google Drive (though Google is currently not working for me, so that’s one point against it), along with the company’s own cloud. You can lock individual files and folders behind a passcode, too, which I really appreciate. Nothing haunts me more than the thought of someone reading through my unfinished drafts, some of which aren’t destined to ever see the light of day.

And I’ve finally ditched my paper planner — something I never thought would happen. Supernote’s built-in monthly calendar and weekly planner have finally given me an alternative that actually works for me. One of the main things that’s kept me using paper planners is that I like to doodle as a way to make important events or tasks stand out, and the Supernote Nomad allows me to do this. The only thing I miss is using stickers and pens of different colors, but I’ll survive.

In the last month or so using the Supernote Nomad, I’ve probably gotten more writing done (the “for me” kind) than I had in the last year. It just doesn't trigger that dreaded “you’re at work” feeling that my laptop and even other distraction-free writing devices, like the Freewrite Traveler , have. Eventually, I hope to get around to drawing and reading on it as well, but for the moment, all I want to do on this thing is write because I'm having such a great time doing it. And before you ask — yes, I wrote this article on my Nomad.

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Need emergency access to rhythm, rhyme and reasons for living? Dial the Hamilton poetry hotline

By calling the hotline, people can access poems written and performed by local writers.

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Some emergencies require a response that involves a poem about how well drinking water pairs with an ice cream sandwich. 

That's one of the poems you might hear if you call Hamilton's new poetry hotline.

Anyone who dials 365-675-3282 can access a directory hosting recordings of poems written and performed by local writers. You might come across the one about the sound of two birds on a metal roof.

The project was put together by Monday Press, a group of writers and creatives who approached local poets to contribute their work to the hotline. 

Matt Moreland, one of the co-founders of Monday Press, said the project aims to be an approachable way for somebody to interact with Hamilton's poetry community and expand the audience to people who don't normally go to poetry readings.

"In most cases, like if you're going to hear a poet perform, you have to know when they have an event or a reading and like go to the thing," he said. 

By calling the hotline, people can instead experience local art in their own time, which Moreland said makes it more approachable.

Moreland said the idea originated from an art project from the 1960s called "dial-a-poem" by New York-based poet John Giorno. That hotline hosted 700 poems by 55 poets and included Black Panther poets and queer erotic poetry. The project drew thousands of calls and as Moreland pointed out, drew the attention of the FBI , which investigated it for subversive or anti-government content.

Moreland added that contributors were not given any sort of stipulations as to the poems they could perform.

"We wanted it to really feel random, that you really don't know what you're going to get," he said.

"You could call in and get a poem that's about love, and then you could call back and get a poem that's about something political. You could call back and get a poem that's about depression. It really does play to the randomization."

Poems from Hamilton's 1st Poet in Place

One of the contributors to the project is Lishai Peel, the inaugural Poet in Place for the City of Hamilton. She contributed three poems to the project. Ode to Dance  is about the importance of movement and dance, while  Pantoum for Words  is about the act of storytelling and bringing words into the world.

Peel said she has paid attention to Monday Press's work and the role it plays in the city's arts community.

"A lot of people in the city generally, I think, have this idea of poetry as being something that's studied in school… or just not necessarily accessible to the average everyday person," she said.

"But I think what Monday Press is doing in this project is saying, 'Hey, poetry is for you and for you and for you, and it's for all of us.'"

The group also got funding to advertise the hotline number on a large billboard in the city. The hotline went online in June and received over 1,000 calls on the first day, Moreland said.

He said the group plans to keep the hotline going for the foreseeable future and it will continue in its current form for the next three to six months. Afterwards, the group is considering ways to update the project, like new poems into the directory.

In addition to the hotline, Monday Press runs a pop-up poetry series in different laundromats called Dirty Laundry. It is also doing a fringe show called Scheduled Maintenance that runs from July 18 to 21 at the Hamilton Theatre Inc.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan Fung is a reporter with CBC Hamilton, with a strong interest in covering municipal issues. He has previously worked as a reporter in Ottawa and Edmonton. You can reach him at [email protected]

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