How to Write Poetry

This might help get past your writer's block. And please pardon the clichés. Tom Petty's song says "...think of me what you will, I have a little space to fill." Surely clichés have a place somewhere to fill as well. Also please note that one of the Revelant Key Words is "Silly."

How to Write Poetry

There is a world where all words rhyme,
but it is in a different time.
Where we have 24 time zones,
25 is theirs, alone.
Here the words march two-by-twos,
Dichotomies in matching shoes.
Like Noah's Ark, the words are paired,
and hardly any words are spared.
Except for "Orange," he has no mate,
and "Purple's" met a similar fate.
Try maple syruple (it's not that great!).
(I would never invent
such an unusual word.
It is simply
one I heard
from a poet,
who may be great,
but, that is up
to you to rate).
"Ubiquitous," though he's everywhere
can also seldom find a pair.
All other words you pick and choose
from dictionaries you peruse.
These couplets are not copyrighted.
You may keep the ones you've sighted.
So memorize a poem today.
Be sure to rhyme each word you say.
And then you may become the poet
in "I'm a Poet and Didn't Know it!"
There is no good reason why
you can't become that rhyming guy
and wear a laurel on your brow.
Come walk with me. I'll show you how.
First, figure out what you want to say,
and write it down just any old way.
Then find the words that almost rhyme.
Put them at the end of lines.
Now your poems, in shiny patent shoes
will march as limericks, or haikus,
or any other type of rhyme,
as long as it can march in time.
"John P. Sousa,   he wrote marches.
He's the king of fallen arches.
Patriotically, he kept the beat
by writing poetry for the feet!"
Now my job is nearly done
and I see yours has just begun.
Write me some lines that make me proud,
and when you're done, read them aloud.
If it is good, I'll take no credit.
It's you who wrote it, you who read it.
It's you who'll now wear the laurel wreath
by writing what was underneath.
One if by land. Two if by sea.
I may have given you the key
But you is who's unlocked the door.
You who went to the poetry store,
and stocked up on all those similies,
metaphors and (what rhymes with similie?)
...just Emily.
I guess I painted myself into a corner,
but you can be Little Jack Horner.
Stick in your thumb, pull out a plum.
Hang it on a poetry tree,
for all of the world to see
the Poet that you have become.
If you don't know the words, just hum,
as you gather accolades
in the rhyming world you've made.
Set out on your rhyming ship,
as you partake in a poetry trip.
Cast your nets and reel them in.
See, you've caught a great shark's fin.
As for the rest of the shark,
he begged to please disembark.
You've got a great story tell.
See, that rhymes with "oyster shell."
If you find you need some help,
cook yourself a plate of kelp.
It is full of vitamins,
to help you learn the outs and ins.
If you find this rhyme is silly,
and the words are willy-nilly.
You may be right. But guess again.
I pulled it from a great big bin
of rhyming words. Wal-Mart. On sale.
Keep my secret. Please don't tell.
If my secret does get out,
then everyone will leap and shout.
The world will then soon be full
of every kind of rhyming fool,
(the thought, of it just makes me sick)
of poet's who can't rhyme a lick!
If you consider me among them too,
then I guess my job is through,
And I will leave you on your own,
to plot and rhyme upon your throne.
If someday, though, you write something great,
remember that we met by fate.
You may quote me if you choose.
"A wise poet once said to use
words that rhyme if they make sense.
If they don't, they make you wince."
If they don't, it is okay.
Poetry does not rhyme every day.
Poke a clean sheet of paper with a straight pin.
Then hold it up for the sun to shine in.
Write down what it is that shines through.
Write from your heart. Just like I do.
Write on,
Your Faithful Rhymer