If you write poetry, how much do you know about poetry--Similies, Images, & Metrical Forms ?

Question

If you are a poet, how much about poetry do you know? Are you always learning new stuff or do you only write?

Answer 1

Too many people who decide to write poetry think it's just warm, fuzzy thoughts put to paper, or emotional venting. Writing poetry requires knowledge of the language and of the forms. Without any knowledge of the disciplines of poetry, what appears on paper is pure ego without any thought process behind it. Poetry is not a love affair with self; it is a love affair with words. Before a student of words writes a single one, they should read as much poetry as they can--devour every word. That's called an appreciation of the poetic form. It is necessary for any true poet, who owes that preparation to him/herself. One cannot hope to learn one's self without learning first how to express one's self. Study all the forms and duplicate them for your own gratification, read the poets, read the good books that deal with forms. Then begin writing for yourself, and start working on a style. B.

Answer 2

Even before I took to writing poems I already liked reading very much, so I know enough about poetry. Learning comes with books for me. I'm an avid reader, and Symbolism is my favorite poetic movement. It was very subtle, and had a lot to do with music in the way the poets played with melody in their pieces, particularly through alliterations. Besides, they used a lot of images to suggest feelings and states of mind. I've never used metrical forms, as they did, although I know most of them. I look up to those who can write with metrics, but I think they make things too difficult for me, and are not necessary. They're not what makes a poem good, once it has much more to do with feelings than technique. As a poet I'm always trying to evolve, that's clear, but I do it by writing and reading classics. The post-modern era doesn't interest me.

Answer 3

I have this really bad tendancy to write in iambic tetrameter... Too much poetry by Tolkien during my formative years, I think.

I've never actually set out to learn specific things like meter and rhyme schemes and such, but I've ended up with a lot of that sort of thing in my head anyway. Useful tools, but I've never felt compelled to stick to traditional forms or anything.

I love metaphors. A well-functioning metaphor is a poet's friend. You can pack more imagery into a metaphor than into any other kind of description, I think.

My friend Tansi wrote this poem -about- poetry once that I thought was funny, in a puns-for-poets sort of way. I can't recall all of it, but here's part:

Meterless, I have been long
In search of a plan for my rhyme,
But give me a reason
Why poets must bow to the tyrant Iambe?
...The pen is as much a butcher's tool
As ever was the blade,
Paring doggerel down to bombast
-- Or is it the other way?

Answer 4

Personally, I learn stuff about poetry from classes, not exactly by choice. But I know all about similies, images, metrical forms (iambic, anapestic, and the other two), Shakespeare's couplets, caesura, use of punctuation, alliteration, and other things that I can't think the name of right now 'cuz my head hurts - like repeated consonantal and vowel sounds in a line, rhyming, rhythm, etc. I also have studied and am studying many different poets and their styles.

Answer 5

I think it is important to follow some guide lines,but poetry should come from the heart. I don't share a lot of my poetry with others,it's my thoughts,my disieres,my dreams,my heartaches.I have shared some and have gotten good feed back,but it should be personal,wheather or not it's "correct" dosen't play a big part in my writing.Here's a small sample of my poetry....
I can bare no longer the pain,
unkindness to body and soul.
No words spoken,silence kills.
I have M.S. It truly effects the whole family.The beginning,which I have shared,relates to the silence I keep.I hate bring this monster into our lives.It could end the happy family we once had.♥

Answer 6

I write it, and read what others have written.

I've never really studied poetry - I'm a bit of an autodidact in that, and most, areas I suppose.

I just read what other poets have written, and attempt to find my own voice - I never subscribed to the idea that you should make poetry into math, using complex formulas and theorems. It should flow from the soul, and be as natural as possible.

But, that is just my opinion.

Answer 7

I studied literature in college, so I have a pretty firm grasp on all the major concepts. I think it's always important to keep learning and growing. Personally, I love to experiment with unusual formal styles of poetry (sestinas are a favorite of mine) and I think constantly learning can give you a larger set of tools to write something interesting.

That said, I think it's important to not try and make something sound literary, or throw in something new you have learned just because you can. Studying literature can enhance writing, but it can also make it sound pretentious and phony. There's nothing wrong with just writing what you know, without having the formal vocabulary tacked onto it.

Answer 8

i write... if someone wants to apply a nomenclature of poetry to it, perhaps it's because of what they know, or even, don't know, who am i to disagree?. Just keep writing... if you follow predefined rules you may just miss reaching beyond the margins into enlightenment...

Answer 9

challenging stuff. search on google and yahoo. it might help!