Now I Am a Poet

Letter to a novice poet: (What modern poetry is for me) Welcome to the family of budding poets, who pen passion and meaning or anything life holds for them. Enjoy. Buds will sprout and blossom over time. No buts involved. ‘Only’ your words. For me Modern Poetry Means: Modern: Mind’s Omen Diversely Emblazing Radical Nexus Poetry: Pen’s Odds/Evens Testing Rebirthed Ying-yang Means: Mindful Emotion Ascribing Natural Sense (Acrostic) (Ten tips for budding poets) The most difficult task in writing poetry is actually starting to write it. Let your pen flow or your keyboard rattle. Whatever you scribe is your poetry. Fantasy or reality. It is yours to own, not for others to pick apart. Find yourself and explore. Have fun, amuse yourself. To muse is to fully absorb yourself in thoughts and emotions. Enter the world of marvelous wonderment. Poetry is a personal matter. Do not be shy with yourself. Share it or not. Do not be intimidated. You can do whatever you want to with it. Anything goes. Life is poetry just like any other form of art. Open your senses. Be You. There is no ‘common’ sense. What comes to your mind can be voiced. There is no good or bad poetry. Restrictions at the outset can shackle and oppress you. Poetry and its forms are shaped by history and culture. But, there is no dictate, canon or official decree. Forms help, but they may stifle. Ideas, history, philosophy, politics? Friendship or love? A little flower, a cloud in the sky, a mess on the road? Or simply what happens to you just at the moment is your poetry. Emotions makes passionate poetry. Good or bad moods, empathy and blustering jubilance are the poet’s best friends. Bring a smile to your face or a frown of reflection. Most of all be true to yourself. Do you want to publish? Do not be discouraged. Not everyone wins glorious prizes and accolades. Your poetry might be the best. For you and to you. That is what matters. You could also join a kind writers’ group for advice and sharing and for constructive critique. Online forums like poetry soup can be very rewarding. (What poetry has brought to my life) Poetry has allowed me to find my voice. It enabled me to find a new focus and outlook, both rationally and emotionally. It, helped me to deal with and share depressive moods and views on the world. My favourite themes) Normality of mental illness. Harmony and ambivalence. Spirituality. Love. Societal injustices. Historical reflection. Philosophy. (My favourite reference sources) Peoples’ experiences. Books written on actual paper. Synonym and antonym dictionaries. Internet searches for rhymes. Philosophical and historical textbooks. (Titles of Poems I have written) From LARGE to small Black Noise in Her Mind Man-I-Cure Unbearable Beauty in Black Friend Ship Ripped Ripples Pondering on Nirvana Olive’s Cinnamon Bark Bittersweet Adam’s First Date (My Literary Background) I am who I am and write what I like. I used to write prescriptions as a a doctor. ‘Personal Poems for Passionate People’ is my first book. An autobiographical novel ‘Journeys of a Normal Madman’ is ready for editing now. Currently I work on a sequel and on a book on depression, called ‘This is not a Self-Help book’. My writing changes and so do I. (Suggestions for the Book Title) Unfolding the Prentice Poet’s Pen (Find your Voice as a Novice Scribe) Tips for Burgeoning Poets (What Colleagues Recommend) 02nd June Written for collaboration on a book for novice poets. (Characters checked with charcounter.com)