Tips For Modern Poetry

TIPS FOR MODERN POETRY TO BUDDING POETS OF ALL AGES Dear Budding (novice) Poet: First of all, welcome to the wonderful world of 'word weaving'! Second, don't be offended by the words budding and/or novice. We all were at some point. Third, be ready to begin a journey of fascination, learning, adventure, excitement, and friendship like none to be found. A few tips may be in order at this time: 1) Don't allow a firm critique depress you. Rather, let it heighten your desire to do better. 2) Always make an effort to use proper grammar, punctuation if you use it, and never use offensive language. 3) Be factual in reference to places mentioned in any poem. If you have never actually been there, but would like to go, look it up and get the facts right. It will save you from embarrassment. 4) If you are a Christian, don't be ashamed or afraid to write poems that indicate this as being the greatest part of your life. 4) Spend time reading poems of others and, by all means, congratulate them when they have a poem that has placed in a contest. 5) Seek advice and guidance from other poets. 6) If you enter a contest, be sure to read the rules closely and comply with them as stated. Otherwise, one small overlooked area may cost you a lack of placement. 7) Have a good dictionary and thesaurus handy --- you'll need them. 8) Make extensive use of the spell check, syllable counter, etc. in order to adhere to the aforementioned rules. You'll be glad you did. 9) Spend time alone whenever possible in order to concentrate and choose the right words to make your poetry flow. 10) And above all, consider publishing a book containing a collection of poems you have written. My favorite themes are Nature, Christmas, Special Holidays, i.e., Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, July 4th, Easter, and Christian/Spiritual related themes. My favorite reference sources are the Bible, dictionary, thesaurus, poems of famous poets for inspiration only, and poems of members of Soup. My titles of favorite poems I have written are: 1) Quiet Time With God; 2) The Storms of Life; 3) The Power Of A Candle; 4) The Hollow Of His Hand; 5) The Art Of Dying Gracefully; 6) Our Flag; 7) The Day The Statue Of Liberty Cried; 8) There Is A Reason; 9) Trimming The Tree; 10) Christmas Magic My literary background goes back to 1965 while I was in the Air Force. That twenty year period of my life was the beginning of writing poems for special occasions such as retirement, weddings, receptions, graduation, special holidays and requests from people for a poem about a loved one. That means I have been writing poems for over 50 years. I have published one book and will soon publish my second. My suggested possibility for the title of the book could be: There's No Time Like The Present