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How To Write a Poem

This is how you write a poem: Let your feelings flow. Follow what your mind pours out Wherever it may go. Choose your words most carefully; Try to not repeat. Watch the rhythm but don't fret About iambic feet. Rhyme if rhyme is what you love Though dangers sometimes lurk; If your rhyming words sound forced Your poem will just not work. Anyone can write a poem; Trying has no cost But reality assures We're not all Robert Frost.

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Maurice Rigoler

Date: 2/15/2018 10:08:00 PM

Much is this poem I myself follow, though I use rhyme mostly in humorous verse, and I'm not a syllable counter, and hate to force a rhyme (Frost did many times), so I rewrite the lines until the rhymes are natural. Glad you got a laugh bout my Puddy Cat. / Best to you. / Maurice

Robert Johnson

Date: 2/13/2018 9:30:00 PM

Um, just a little revisit. One tends to take your talent/ ability for granted sometimes. Familiarity truly does breed contempt. I couldn't agree more with Jim Slaughter, that while we're not all Robert Frost. You carry your own bucket. :)

Ilene Bauer
Date: 2/14/2018 8:06:00 PM

what a sweet comment! thank you for that, robert...

Robert Johnson

Date: 2/13/2018 9:25:00 PM

Was this inspired by the email Soup sent out recently informing about how to write poetry? I think you might agree that this is pretty much the way I go with my writes. You have a more concise cohesive sense and goal with yours. Me, I tend to meander from stanza to stanza. I like going nowhere in how ever long it takes me. :) Thanks for showing us how. :)

Ilene Bauer
Date: 2/14/2018 8:05:00 PM

hey robert! yes, this was inspired by that email. i think meandering is fine and often leads to intriguing places. to me, there's more to writing a poem than following someone's "rules. my poem wasn't really meant to be instructional, but maybe a little inspirational (i would hope)...

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 2/9/2018 11:04:00 PM

Giggles :) love it! xomo <3

Ilene Bauer
Date: 2/10/2018 6:41:00 PM

thank you, maureen! glad you got the spirit of the poem...

Pat Adams

Date: 2/9/2018 5:15:00 PM

I agree with Darlene and Jan. I also feel a somewhat kindred spirit in our poems, although mine are nowhere near as refined as yours. Rhyme all the way, is what I always say!! Enjoyed this one much, inspired I assume by the recent e-mail.........................80)

Ilene Bauer
Date: 2/10/2018 6:41:00 PM

hey pat! i feel the kindred spirit, too, and i always enjoy your writing. you're right about the inspiration for this poem. i'm not sure if someone can really learn to write a poem by reading the "instructions" provided by the soup...

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 2/9/2018 1:28:00 PM

Hello Ilene,I like this poem so much I printed it out for trying to rhyme a poem. Good advice here for anyone that needs it. have a nice day my friend.

Ilene Bauer
Date: 2/10/2018 6:37:00 PM

thank you, darlene! i didn't really mean for it to be a tutorial, but if it helps you, i'm happy to hear it! thanks for taking the time to comment...

Jan Allison

Date: 2/9/2018 12:27:00 PM

Absolutely perfect Ilene I can't agre with you more and we think so alike when it comes to poetry. I love to write rhyme its my preferred form and I hate to see forced rhyme it stilts the flow of a poem:-) hugs jan xx

Ilene Bauer
Date: 2/10/2018 6:37:00 PM

thank you, jan! i think we're alike in many ways and even if we never meet in person, we can still enjoy each other's poems. i always love to hear from you...