Ever wanted to write a poem? Bemoaned the fact that you couldn't or maybe some awful English teacher told you that you couldn't write poetry. I've broken down the complex world of poetry into 11 steps (WITH GIFs) so you can try this for yourself. I choose the topic of pizza just for fun!!
Remember poetry doesn't have to rhyme, have a structure of any sort or be superbly profound- it just has to be expressive words on a page about a particular topic.
1. What's your topic?
It can literally be anything from the love of your life to pizza. (Or maybe pizza is the love of your life?)
2. Who's talking?
Are you the speaker of the poem (you don't have to be)? Or a pizza delivery man or your partner or your dog.3. Start writing.
Write down any random words about the topic that come to mind. Don't worry about being correct or sounding silly
4. Engage a sense or two.
DO NOT use all five senses! That's way too much, just focus on a few key details that you think will bring your poem alive.
5. Think about how words sound.
Sound is a big part of poetry. Cheese and ease slant rhyme (sort of rhyme) for example or pizza and pepperoni are alliterative (starting with the same sound). How words sound together may impact how your organize them later. For now, mark/highlight them so you make sure those sounds stay together!
6. Say something in terms of another (symbolism).
For example, is pizza representative of something else? Family, home, self-care, nostalgia for childhood... Similes and metaphors work great here too. "Eating pizza is like a hug at a funeral" or Eating pizza is a hug at a funeral"
7. Start organizing your words.
At this point, there's are words and idea scattered all over your page. It's time to think about ordering them for maximum effect. Don't forget about those sounds you marked earlier.
8. Find the central idea/opinion about your topic that defines the poem.
Hooray, you're almost there! Looking so far at what your organized, think about the central idea in the poem; where do you want to place it? Use it as a hook to start the poem, or a dazzling final revelation are two common places poets put the central idea.
9. Let it sit for a bit.
Poetry is actually more like soup than pizza, it tastes better the next day (unless you love leftover pizza lol).
10. Try tearing apart the whole thing (at least once).
Consider totally reorganizing the poem; does it change the meaning/context? Which version do you like better?
