Writing Your Own Poetry
The most popular style of our time is the ‘free verse’ style. This form originated in the late 19th century, with Walt Whitman being credited for it. Before this form was introduced, poetry was restricted to certain form.
Patterns are common to formal poetry. Scansion is the analyzing of rhyme and meter. A letter is commonly places at the end of each line beginning with the first letter of the alphabet A for the first rhyme, and B for the second, etc.
If the first two lines rhyme with each other, we would place an A at the end of each line. If the third and fourth line rhyme with each other but not the first two, we would place a B at the end of each. The pattern would be AABB. If the fifth line rhymes with either, we would place an A, or B appropriately. If it does not rhyme, a C would be used.
The number of beats in each line is called the meter. “Iambic pentameter” is the most commonly used. Words with this type of beat consist of a short pulse followed by a strong pulse. Examples would be arrest, domain, forsooth, etc. The accent is on the second syllable.
Time for the fun stuff! When you tell stories or write letters, how do you start? Is it maybe something you overheard, or read about? Or maybe something you witnessed? Start with something that is comfortable to you.
What kind of poem are you going to write? Would you like to do a character study or a story? The best thing to do is go through some examples. This will give you some ideas. Don’t worry if you get a “writer’s block.” The best way to get past it is to take a break and come back the next day. Keep a pen and paper with you, something may come to you if your out.
Good poems take weeks and sometimes months to come up with. Don’t rush it. If your stuck, take a break for a few days and come back. Don’t re-read the entire draft, simply begin with the last line in your poem. You can surprise yourself.
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