Writing poetry is basically telling a story with few words. You must grab the attention of your audience from the start and keep them engaged enough to finish reading your poem. Rhyme is still the best form of writing poetry. Whether you use rhyme or not, your poem should have a rhythm. Pay attention to the rhythmic pattern in verse or measured arrangement of syllables according to stress. This is also known as the meter. Even if your poetry does not rhyme, it should follow a discernable meter. An example of this is as follows:

She wore a very lovely dress (8 syllables)

with buttons down the length. (7 syllables)

Her yellow hair, I must confess, (8 syllables)

was where I found her strength. (7 syllables)

If you continue this poem, you would use the meter of eight syllables, then seven syllables. As you write your poetry, you will find the natural rhythm of your poem. It may be twelve syllables, then ten syllables or any meter that works for the idea that you have on your subject matter. All poetry should flow easily as the reader reads. You must also watch concerning the arrangement of syllables according to stress. An example of a poem that is off rhythm is as follows:

They played beneath the willow tree (9 syllables)

every afternoon. (6 syllables)

Each would bring his favorite toy and play on bended knee (14 syllables)

until his mother called him home from beneath the willow tree. (15 syllables)

As you will note, there is no rhythm as you read this poem. In fact, it looks as though someone is telling a story and simply chopping up the sentences. A poem is not a story told by writing sentences separated by a space. Not all poetry has to rhyme, but it must have a rhythm. An example of a poem that does not rhyme is as follows:

The tears that fell from the willow tree (9)

were the tears I could not cry. (7)

My grief, so deep, I could not express. (9)

So I sat beneath the willow.. (7)

All poetry should tell a story or paint a picture in your reader's mind. The rhythm of a poem is that wonderful thing that allows us to remember those poems that touch us and cause us to commit them to memory. Another thing found in may poems is the use of alliteration. This is the use of repeating of an initial sound in two or more words in a phrase. An example would be something like this: Allison wore Anderson's medals while receiving Anderson's flag. Notice the use of the repeating sound of "son". The great poet, Edgar Allen Poe, used alliteration in many of his famous poems, including the poem, The Raven.

Another method used in poetry is onomatopoeia. This is formation of words by imitating sounds such as buzz or pop. An example would be: The popping of the popcorn and the buzzing of the bees was irritating Ira as he tried to slice the cheese. Every poet has his or her own style. There are many forms of poetry in use today. You may remember the limericks featured in The Saturday Evening Posts. By reading poetry by famous poets like Robert Frost and others, you can learn much about a poet's voice and style. Try to copy the style of your favorite poet, using your own words in a new poem. This is a good practice for anyone who is new at poetry.

I have written many poems for Helium.com that are highly rated. I have had a few poems published in anthologies and newspapers. Poetry will always be one of my favorite forms of expression. I hope you find your poet's voice and style and get creative on Helium.

Learn more about this author, Barbara Stanley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for writing poetry at Helium?
We want to hear your view. Write now!