Weekend Writing: Yes, You Can Write Poetry

Do you write poetry? No? Well, you can. If you currently think you can't write poetry, I hope this blog post will prove to you that you can write poetry. It's not a scary genre. Instead, it's a beautiful genre that will allow you to express yourself in a way you otherwise haven't experienced. 

Writing a poem means paring down your experience to just a few words or phrases. Poetry is any literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of a distinctive style and rhythm. 

(photo/Pinterest)

When you write a poem, the challenge is to capture a moment, a feeling, or a fleeting thought. Focus on a particular moment that expresses an emotion or is a metaphor of an idea. For example, if you have experienced heartbreak, write about those emotions. If you have experienced loss, reflect on those emotions and ideas.

Include as many details as possible. Poems work best if they're a vivid snapshot of the emotion, the moment, or scene. Sensory details help your readers to identify emotionally with your poem. If you're writing about a specific location or nature setting, what do you see? Think about the colors, the sounds, the tastes, and smells associated with that scene. 

(photo/QuotesBook)

If you're focusing on a person, what details should you include? What does the person look like? What did they say that evokes emotions? What did they do to the speaker that might have caused the intention of the poem? 

Focus on your emotions and what you want to express. Write those thoughts down on paper. Remember: You don't have to share your poem with anyone. The poem is for yourself--to allow yourself a safe place to express your thoughts in a creative format. 

So, you may not think you can write poetry, but you can. You can write poetry. You can express your thoughts. You can write a poem with vivid details and imaginative words. It might not be the best poem in the world, but it doesn't have to be. Write the poem for yourself and that's all that matters. 

Write poems. Express your feelings. Feel connected to your inner thoughts. But most importantly, have fun. Poetry isn't scary. It's actually a fun genre that allows for so much freedom and creativity. Give it a chance. You might be surprised with what you come up with. 

Happy National Poetry Month! 

-KJL-