To My Fellow Poets

Dear fellow poets – the young and the young once, Modern poetry to me is “today’s poetry.” It presents poetry from the hearts of current writers using their own unique styles, which are influenced and inspired by other poets – both of yesteryears and now; that will likewise help shape tomorrow’s poetry. As such, modern poetry writing behooves us - the “today’s poets” to employ eclectic approach, acknowledge global perspective, and respect multicultural diversities as we reflect, rehearse and reinforce life’s myriads realities. With that in mind, may I share with you ten tips which I am actually practicing in the exercise of my rights and in the enjoyment of my privileges as a modern poetry writer. These are my BEATITUDES acrostic on how to write from the heart: Be earnest in writing. Readers - you included - sense and appreciate sincere and honest thoughts. Express “to bless” not to impress. Real intention, is revealed by words; hence, right word-choice is vital. Assert and affirm truth. Remember that research and review pursuits are reinforcement tools of poets. Touch and stir hearts and souls. Reach out to the emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of readers by offering hope. Inspire and influence. Resonating in passion-filled poems are your faith, belief, perspective and convictions. Testify through your experiences and observations. Restate or retell notable events in your life with vivid imageries that poetry surely allows. Uphold standards, terms and conditions in writing poems. Rules in poem writing are guidelines that help build-up poets’ confidence as well as integrity. Delight in poem reading and meditating. Refresh yourself; be rejuvenated as you reflect upon poems of others and enjoy them. Expose realities with creativity. Regard poetry writing as your painting paraphernalia in projecting life’s beauty and diversity. Strive for craft-improvement constantly. Rest not to develop your poetry writing skills. Keep on learning. Join poetry writing contests. I thank God for using poetry to hone my writing skills, especially the “special talent” He has given me to proclaim about His goodness and to declare His precepts. Poetry, by the grace of God has helped me become a productive communicator (Psalm 45:1). As far as poetry themes are concerned, my favorites revolve around God and everything that exalts Him such as Christianity, faith, gospel, Bible, love, virtues, relationships, and service. My favorite reference sources are the Holy Scriptures, Poetry Soup, text books in Writing (published in my country). Since I have been writing poems for our church newsletter for more than a decade, and I have some which were set as “occasion songs” or “theme songs” (that are actually my personal favorites), I will just enumerate ten of the Poetry Soup poems that garnered places in the contests I participated in from April to June, 2018. Actually, I joined Poetry Soup in April, 2018. 1. Worthlessness Without the Savior – Rhyme (This was Poetry Soup’s POTD on May 12, 2018) 2. God is My Creator – Rhyme 3. Good Morning Cheers - Rhyme 4. Deliverance Midst Deceit’s Despair - Alliteration 5. Common Heart Problem - Rhyme 6. My Experience as a New Poetry Soup Member – Acrostic and Rhyme 7. I Wish I Was An Eagle – Abecedarian and Rhyme 8. My Blessed Privilege – Pantoum and Rhyme 9. Hope Prevails Over Injustice – Free Verse 10. Selfishness – Limerick I am privileged to be exposed to and be trained in rigorous and delightful writing pursuits at a young age. I had my first published poems in Filipino in our high school paper. Then my writing endeavors continued when I became the editor-in-chief of our high school newspaper, a student of AB Communication Arts, a teacher of Communication subjects since 1989, and a church newsletter writer and editor. The Lord is still prospering my writing activities by His grace and for His glory. My suggested book title is: "Poetry from the Heart" or "Poetry Beatitudes." June 22, 2018 3rd place, "TIPS FOR MODERN POETRY TO BUDDING POETS OF ALL AGES" Poetry Contest Sponsored by Line Gauthier; judged on 7/4/2018.