Help with Poetry!

One question I have always asked myself : how do you write poetry?!
- mackenzie

Poetry is something you have to teach yourself. Just write something with a flow and use your language. There is no wrong way to write it. Just post the poem and we'll do our best to help you improve.

The literary definition of poetry for a plus:
a literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.


Just experiment and do what you feel is right. We'll help you improve from there.
Quick tip, read poetry. The more you read it, the more you have an understanding of it. Look through the site and read poems, and look at the reviews that are given to those poems. It will increase your general knowledge and be your stepping stone for poetry.

Good luck and PM me if you have anymore questions ^^

Kamas

Thank you so much for the advice and thanks for not reading my question and going like most people do. Thanks I appreciate the answer, well I'm off to read poetry! Have a great day,
Mackenize -soon to be author , hopefully.

My horrible poem.

When I'm bored at night
and I don't feel right
and alone
I don't go on moan
I look out outside
The stars shine with the moonlight
I feel free
Just being me
Wanna run with the stars
Though it may seem far
I ain't looking back
I feel free
When I'm with stars and the moonlight


I don't even think THAT even IS a poem. * Epic fail *

You know the "Show, don't Tell" rule? Apply it to poetry. Use figurative language (metaphor [saying one object is another object. An example: Her eyes are the stars] smilie [saying one object is like another object. Example: Her eyes are like the stars] and probably a few other forms I can't think of), tell us how it feels to do an act in more than just a line or two. Also, try to throw in some conflict. Conflict is some sort of tension in the poem that makes you want to find out what happens next.

Also, maybe reconsider the rhyme? Not all poetry has to rhyme, and it's very very hard to write good rhyming poetry.

That counts as a poem, no worries!

I'll give you a few tips and then you're going to have to post it so you can get more feedback

Firstly: Rhyme
I consider it a stereotype that poetry has to rhyme It really doesn't.
I like to write free verse poetry, which is basically getting words to flow together without rhyme.

Now you may think rhyming is easier, it really isn't. It limits you so much!
For example, there are only so many things that rhyme with log. Dog, bog, fog etc.

So you can either do something like:

The mossy green log
sharp angled face of a dog.

Or you can go on about the log in a different way.

The key is flow
Remember this word, it's very important in poetry.
When you write something and read it aloud, you want it to roll off your tongue without stumbles or hesitations. Make it as natural as possible to say.

You could rhyme if you want, it's just a matter of expanding your vocabulary.
Just experiment with what you are comfortable with.

After that it's just a matter of wording and ideas. But that I leave up to you.

Secondly, have some confidence!
Chin up and don't degrade your poem before I even have a chance to read it. Let the reader judge whether it is an 'epic fail' or not.


I hope that helps a little bit. Anymore questions, feel free to PM me.

Kamas

P.S. Post this, don't worry about the criticism that you get, we're here to help you improve!

Ok. I thought poetry had to ryhme. I suck at writing poetry. I should stick to fantasy.

You don't suck! It just takes practice!

Keep at it and you can become a fantastic poet! I started off rhyming just like you and I'd like to say I'm a half decent poet now. If it isn't too much to say about myself xD

I'll help you if you need it ^^

Keep writing,

Kamas

Thanks your a very very big help.
Mackenzie

Me with out you is like
Black with no White
Night with out a following day
April with out May
Hot with out cold
You and me are opposites
With out opposites, nothing would be different
as everything would be the same
Fire and Ice
Up and down
Smile and frown
They go together with differences
Fitting like a puzzle piece
You and me

Why don't you post your poem in the literary forums? That way, it'll be easier for people to critique.

Do as Snoink said and post it in the forum, we don't bite.

I think I'll give a few more tips before I go my way.
There are techniques that you can use to improve your poetry, and they're simple and highly appreciated when done well.

I think the most used techniques are metaphors and similes.

Metaphors - This is when you apply/ relate something that is otherwise unrelated to the object of interest.

For example (William Shakespeare):

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;

Shakespeare relates humans to a stage, though stages and humans have no similar aspects, he takes both and finds a way to relate them.

Similes - Relating two things with like or as. It's more precise then the metaphor but it lessen the effect of thinking metaphors create.

Example:

She walks as elegantly as a cat.
He is as stubborn like a donkey.

Alliteration - Repeating the same sound or letter two times or more.
It creates a nice effect the rolls off the tongue if you use it moderately and subtly.

Rhyming - It is in fact a technique, not a poetry style. You can use it at the end which is most common, or within a line.

Hyperbole - Basically an exaggeration, which can work to your advantage.
The fun, highly stereotypical hyperbole (which is also a simile) would be:

Her eyes shone like a thousand burning suns.

Teehee.



Use these to your advantage, but don't throw them all into one poem or they will just smother one another. Hope you give these a try.

Kamas