Introduction:

I started writing poetry myself just a year ago and at first, I found it rather difficult. I could never decide what to write about or if I was lucky to get that far, what to actually write. I soon found out that poetry is quite simple for it is simply life in words. You can write a poem about virtually anything whether it be about a past experience or something you greatly admire. Contrary to popular belief, poems don’t need to rhyme; in fact, some of the best poems this world has ever seen don’t rhyme. The world of poetry is vast and nothing is ever off the table.

Process:

1) Choose a topic. (remember: nothing is off the table, you can write about anything)

2) Jot down some ideas about the topic you chose and the point you want to get across with your poem. (this will make the actual writing process easier)

3) Now that you have some ideas, it’s time to start writing! Poems have various forms, ranging from simple poems such as acrostic poems or haiku’s to more complex poems such as sonnets or epics. For beginner poets, such as yourselves, try a simple haiku or acrostic poem.

Acrostic poem: To write an acrostic poem, take your topic and write it on a piece of paper in a vertical line.

Ex. A

      R

      T

Now, next to each letter, write a word or sentence that starts with the same letter that relates to your topic.

Ex. Calm

      Always on the prowl

      Trouble for your curtains

Haiku: A haiku is a poem that consists of three lines, the first one having 5 syllables, the second having 7 syllables, and the last one having 5 again. Again, use words that relate to your topic.

Ex. Topic – Bees

How I love them so,

Buzzing around in the air,

And making honey

Conclusion:

As you can see, poems can be very simple. I know the two I wrote are amateur poems but alas it justifies my point. Anyone can write poems; all they need is an idea and some creative thinking. Keep writing poems and you will get better just as you would get better in anything you work hard at, but remember this, a poet does not write with the ink of a pen, he writes with the ink of his heart. Have fun!