Introduction to Poetry

What is poetry? Is it a song without music? A piece of writing that rhymes? A code language that uses imagery for readers to decipher? Poetry is all of these and much more. According to Oxford Languages, poetry is a literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm. In a nutshell, poetry is a broad category of literature that expresses emotions and ideas by having a deep connection with the readers. Poetry has the power to give voice to a particular feeling more intensely than prose.

The lack of rules in poetry makes it easy and enjoyable to read and write. So, don't always think that poetry is something to make head and tail of! Ever wondered how to write a poem? Read on.

What is a Poem?

A poem is a piece of literary writing. Poems don't have a specific set of rules. There is no proper format to write your poem in. But what you do have to do is to use words and phrases adroitly by using figurative language.

Before writing a poem, keep these in mind:

• Know the goal and audience of your poem. Is it a short funny poem for little kids? Or is it for someone who wants to know what is life? Knowing your goal and audience gives you a hint of the theme and emotion you are going to emphasise on.

• Quality, not quantity. Although it is acceptable to write long, pretty verse, using simple language with the correct word choice is also powerful.

There are different types of poems, each having its own style and purpose. These are the elements of poems that are beginner-friendly:

• Line: Just like prose has sentences, poems have lines.

• Stanza: A stanza is a group of lines that has a specific rhyme and meter. The number of lines in a stanza depends upon the type of the poem or the rhyme scheme of the poem. 

• Rhyme Scheme: A rhyme scheme is the pattern of sounds that repeats at the end of a line or stanza. Rhyme schemes can change stanza by stanza, or can continue throughout the poem. Different poems have different rhyme schemes such as AABB, ABCB, ABBA etc.

• Rhythm: Poetry has rhythm. It makes it attractive to set to music. The rhythmic structure of a poem is called as its meter. Meter focuses on the number of syllables and the stressed and unstressed syllables of a line.

Use of Literary Devices

Almost all poems have one or more literary devices. Using literary devices in your poem gives it a unique style and makes it sound different from prose. Some of the common literary devices for beginners are:

• Figurative Language: Expresses something that does not use a word's real meaning. Eg: It's raining cats and dogs (It's raining a lot, unexpectedly)

• Simile: Compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as', which makes the description more emphatic. Eg: As sweet as honey, Like a yellow dot in the sky

• Metaphor: Compares two different things indirectly. Eg: My pillow is my cloud

• Imagery: Description of a piece of writing that evokes all the senses to create a picture in our mind. Eg: The aroma of her cooking filled the air with all flavours

• Personification: Comparison of human characteristics to something non-human. Eg: The Sun smiled down on us  

• Onomatopoeia: Formation of a word with the sound associated with it.  Eg: The sausages are sizzling in the pan

• Repetition: Repeating words, phrases, lines or stanzas to emphasise the theme or idea.

How to Write a Poem

Writing a poem is not the same as writing an essay or a story. Poems make the readers feel something deep and have a passionate connection with them. While sticking to the writing process can make it easy, skipping steps and making your own makes your imagination go wild and sparks your creativity.

Here are a few tips to help you write your next poem:

1. Decide your theme and audience. As explained before, different poems have different themes, ideas and audiences. Knowing what you are going to write about gives you an inkling of what to write next. You can also get inspiration from anything around you - nature, your community, current events, or the people in your life. Take notes of things that make you think more about.

2. Once you've decided on your topic, the next thing is to determine the suitable format for your poem. Though poems do not adhere to a specific format, sticking to a type of poem can make your poem focus on the right emotion you want to highlight. Different types of poems usually focus on a particular emotion. There are a lot of types you can choose from, be it limerick, acrostic, sonnet, haiku, free verse etc.

3. Explore different rhymes, words, literary devices and rhythms. If you have decided on a specific type of poem to write, read poems in that format, which will give you an idea about the template you are going to follow. Specific words, rhymes and rhythms evoke the feeling you are trying to write. 

4. Alright, it is time to write your poem! Give yourself some uninterrupted time to focus and write your poem. Don't expect to write something perfect on the first try. Instead, focus on getting your ideas out. The theme is more important than the words, rhymes or rhythms you focusing on.

5. Edit what you've written. Don't jump right from writing to editing. Give yourself a break. Give yourself a few days, and then come back to your poem with sharp, creative eyes. Try all possibilities and take notes of the important ones. Share your poem with someone you trust, and ask them to share their feedback.  

When you're writing poetry, you're allowed to break the rules. That's one of the key differences between poetry and prose. Give your poem an extra spark that is unique. Always try new things and seek feedback from others. Poetry is something that needs skill and patience. So, stay curious and keep trying new ideas. 

Follow my blog to get updates on it. Meet you all in the next blog post. Until then, rock on!