How To Write A Poem: A Beginner’s Guide by Sean O’Neill
I highly recommend this ebook if poetry writing is something that appeals to you. O’Neil breaks down writing poetry in a simple methodology that anyone can apply. These are the tools he suggests and I’ve replied with my own examples to demonstrate the process.
- Close your eyes and imagine a location. What do your senses tell you? Write down what comes to mind. The most important part of this exercise is that it does not matter if what you write is perfect. The core to writing is simply beginning.
- What do you see? I see tall branches against a blue sky.
- What do I hear? I listen to the rustle of branches and a blue jay squawking.
- What do I touch or feel? I feel the wet cement steps and the breeze in my hair.
- What do I taste? I taste a slight bitterness in my coffee.
We’ve gathered a group of impressions with Sean’s instruction. What do we do next?
The next step is to look for similes or metaphors to give our impressions some creativity.
Threadlike branches flutter
against an achromatic sky
An angry blue jay squawks
in thunderous dismay.
Another squalling burst
sends my hair flying
Timing is everything
mine is a like a dropped egg.
In my haste to brush
my hair aside, I drench
me on the concrete steps.
Another missed
bean’s water moment.
I stifle a bitter curse.
From this simple exercise, I have a rough poem that I can tweak or leave as is.
lyncrain 