How to Write a Formal Style Poem

To write a poem in formal style

there are skills first to satisfy-

and rules that one has first to learn

before they start to versify.



A starting rule that should be learned

when one is writing formal verse-

use words the way you usually would

just as you do when you converse. 



A poem should skillfully express 

to others how you really feel-

like joy and pain and other things

both fanciful and for real.



Poetic license is a tool 

I truly think is really great-

it permits use of bad grammar

and for one to exaggerate.



Many word patterns can be used 

when one is writing verse or prose-

formal stuff is metrical rhyme-

it sounds much better I suppose.



To rhyme, the words must sound the same

for instance just like ache and break-

even though they don’t look alike

no difference does it really make.

                                                                                                                       

Do not write a sentence backwards

Just to make the last word to rhyme-

for example the verse above

as seen in the very last line.



There are words that do look alike

with their spelling nearly the same-       

as thing and think, but sounded out,

as rhyme they really have no claim.



Important are the syllables

Those little pieces of a word-

one keeps them constant in each line

so that the rhythm can be heard.



A formal-style Poets use sometime

is lines in pair that seem to rhyme-

but if your poem starts this way too

then use it till your poem is through.



So, fellow poets you may begin

a formal poem now to start-

remember all the formal rules

and let it all flow from the heart.