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1. Use nouns and verbs more than adjectives. Which is stronger: She was as beautiful as a flower... or Roses wilted in shame as she passed by...? He looked at the depressing clouds... or He watched as dark clouds moved in, covering his sky...? 2. Dont tell the reader how to feel. Let the words elicit the emotions directly, without explaining. The tragedy touched them all, is more touching to the reader as Men and women, doctor and workman... thirteen people looked upon the scene... with tears in their eyes. 3. Use dramatic and emotional words. Not all words are equal in their ability to grab a reader or elicit emotion. Fell, take, and love, will probably be weaker than plunged, siezed, and worship. Look at the following lines, written two ways. The second way applies the three rules above. (From the poem Gratitude.) 1. The mountains and lakes were beautiful I looked at them, heard them and smelled them And I felt in awe 2. Mountains stand against the sky My little lake at their feet And in the middle of this creation Which I see with my eyes Hear with my ears Smell and taste... Words fail, as they should I hope you agree that the second version is better. Again, if you want to know how to write poetry, you have to start writing. Use these and other rules to help you, but remember that all rules in poetry need to be broken at times. Read your poems aloud to yourself and others as a final test. |
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