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 A place for discussion on poetry, reviews, contests, etc. |
1. Emotions: Many of us began writing poetry as an emotional outlet for the strong feelings we have about some person or some thing. Releasing those emotions may have a therapeutic value for the writer, but a real poem to be shared with readers should embody, rather than merely express, the emotion by bringing it to life with well-chosen words, relevant figures of speech and powerful rhythms that transform it into an experience with which the reader can relate. By SHOWING emotions through images and events that are so detailed that the reader can feel the emotion of the moment, you will be on your way to being a skilled poet. 2. Honesty: Your feelings and perceptions of the world around you are what make you and your work unique, so it is imperative that your work be true to those emotions. While it is important to reveal real emotions and experience, it is not necessary to report facts accurately. You are a poet, not a journalist, and thus can change the details and embellish the dramatic situation as long as you retain genuine feeling and believable expression. Sometimes your feelings may be too strong or you may simply be too close to a subject to write effectively about it. One way to get around that problem is to write in the third person. The anonymity of writing as another person will give you the freedom to express those feelings. This is sometimes called lying your way to the truth. Some poets become so impressed with their own language and wit that they make statements which may sound clever or provocative, but they don’t really believe. Faking emotions that you don’t really feel will make your work sound contrived and empty. 3. Sentimentality: Feelings and emotion, rather than reason, usually control our thoughts and opinions. An old picture or song can trigger a flood of memories and emotion. When your expressions of emotion and true sentiment descend into the realm of self-pitying declarations of grief and gushy professions of love, the reader will regard your work as boring and superficial. Phrases like “the joy of motherhood” and “love so true” are not only generic, but also cliche’. It isn’t the emotion that is bad. It is the feeble expression of it and the apparent false inflation. The less you talk ABOUT your emotions in general and the more you describe events that convey emotions, the more effective your writing will be. ASSIGNMENT: Write a poem about something that troubles you. Talk around your strong feelings; don’t declare them directly. Let the creativity flow from your soul!  Dave "The Poet's Place "  |
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