by Amanda Purvis

Created on: February 13, 2011   Last Updated: August 11, 2011

Write poetry simply because it must be written to preserve it. Poetry will exist with or without a poem to give it a form and shape, but for others to appreciate what you understand and feel, it needs to be written.

Many writers and students feel stuck when asked to write poetry. What will I write about? Do I rhyme the poem, count syllables, or stretch it to so many lines? All such thinking hinders the poetry that is naturally present for and in each of us.

Poetry is found absolutely everywhere. It exists in the most beautiful, majestic locations on earth and beyond, and in the most downtrodden places. Poetry is real life. It is both our joys and sorrows, the bitter and sweet parts. Poetry is found in little things and moments that go unnoticed by most, or even by everyone except the poet.

So, how exactly do you start a poem? Pause for a moment right now, and put your pen down. Where are you, are you inside or outside? Is it noisy or too quiet for comfort? Close your eyes and slowly inhale deeply. What do you smell? Is it chilly or warm, and is a breeze blowing? Open your eyes now, and notice what color strikes you first. Why does that color jump out and what shape is it? Trace it in the air with your finger. Does it resemble anything or trigger a past memory, good or bad? Do you feel relaxed and comfortable with your feelings right now or is the reality scary? Or does it feel silly to be doing this, and are the negative feelings that you cannot write still here? Why is that?

Remain here in this moment, and only feel the present. What you are about to do, which is write a poem, is in the future, all that you have been doing is in the past. Even five seconds ago is in the past; it is gone and cannot be changed. What you will do in the next five seconds is up to you. Mediate on how brief the moment is in which we call the present, the moment we live in, this moment right now.

Now it is time to start to write. Just let all the thoughts flow, even if they are not flowing in any particular order. The written poem can always be edited and rearranged later. Let your inner voice flow and connect your reality with your thoughts and limitations and desires and simply write. Do not worry if it is a good quality poem or not. With time and after writing several poems, you will know which ones to share and which ones are just for yourself.

Be truthful and be passionate in the poem. A poem is simply capturing an emotion in words. Even if you are feeling nothing or feel numb right now, that feeling can become a poem. Why do you feel this way and how do you wish you felt? A poem will get you there. Feel it, write it, and don't edit yet.

This cannot be overemphasized, when writing poetry simply write, do not critique or edit the poem until it is finished. The moment you start editing, the pure flow of the poem stops. Later, small editing can be done to refine a thought, or even to cut out a whole part that is just too personal to share. Be as descriptive of the moment you are describing as you can, and it will reach the reader.

Write about both your successes and failures and unfulfilled dreams. Draw from your own life. Everyone is unique and has had different experiences and circumstances which shape who we are and how we view the world. Poetry is a song you live instead of listen to. This is your poetry. Let me hear it!

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