A BRIEF WAY TO START WRITING POEM

INTRODUCTION

Poetry hand in hand works together with figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, oxymoron and so on. However, poem is a composition that expresses emotions and shows something on an imaginative way. Poem most times can be narrative, dramatic, lyrics and so on.

• HOW TO START YOUR OWN POEM

There are many ways to start ones poem, many people found it hard to write poem, the following would help you to start your own poem today. Please take your time and go through the following step with all attention.

Know your purpose, why are you writing a poem and what do you want it to do. Hence, you should note that we don’t write to impress people, we write to express.

Pick a subject, as in your topic.

Choose a pattern (free verse or rhyme), free verse is advisable for a starter.

Use imagery, you have to imagine thing to make your poem sweet.

Use simile and metaphor as a starter, you can later proceed by using any other figures of speech.

The above are ways a starter starts poem writing. The following can also help in writing poem:

• FIND A SPARK

Fit into a particular scene you want to write about

Don’t be afraid to voice out your feelings in the poem

Write down all the words and phrases that come to mind, when you think of any idea, allow yourself to put all your ideas into words.

• READ AND LISTEN TO POETRY

Train your ear and meet like minded people

To write poem, it is necessary you read another person poetry work

Find a favourite song of yours, listen to it and read it like a poem

It’s necessary u note the figures of speech you found in someone else work

• THINK OF WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH YOUR POEM

Decide which poetry suit your subject i.e the best form of the poem will clearly manifest itself during the time of reading.

Make your word usage suit the head word

• LETTING THE CREATIVE FLOW

Choose the right words

Use a concrete imagery and vivid description

Use poetic devices to enhance your poems beauty and meaning; this can be done through the proper usage of words and the literary devices that would excite the reader or that would capture the attention of the audience.

• MAKE A TURN UP ENDING

This means nothing than saving your most powerful message or mightier words for the end of your poem. Take for instance

    "Blessed is the day

     When a treasure was found

     And my heart beats faster

     I have met my love

     Her forehead shines    

     Like a brilliant fire

     Kept me wondering for days

     The sunshine of her smile" (profay’s poem 2016)

Note: the last two lines is mightier than any other word used in the poetic lines.

• BRING TO LIFE

    In bringing your poems to life, three major things must be considered, those things are as follows:

Listen to your poem

Editing your poem

Share your work

Let’s examine the three things

By listening to your poem, you can correct some little mistakes. Nevertheless, listening to ones poems often change poem to song especially if it is written in rhymes.

It is always necessary you read your poems for editing, it is not wrong to say the more you read your poem, the more you edit and that would make it as perfect as anything to the audience. Hence, don’t be afraid to rewrite if some part of your poem is not working.

It is only when you share your poem that you could have feedback from the audience. 

You should be ready to welcome encouraging comments which you shouldn’t become fool of and as well criticism which you should welcome, take note and critically work on its improvement.

Written by: ADEBAYO FAYSOL (PROFAY)

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