Help with Poetry Please...?

Question

In English at school we are doing poetry. I need to find a poem to read out in class. Does anybody know where I can find some or any good ones?

Also Does anybody have any tips on writing poetry?

Answer 1

I personally like Beat poetry, by the likes of Allen Ginsberg and Charles Bukowski, but it might be a bit to sexual for younger readers.
Emily Dickinson is quite interesting.
Perhaps Edgar Allan Poe? Famous for horror stories.
Or else, just google "poetry" and you will find alot of archives of famous poetry.

Tips on writing poetry:

Poetry doesn't have to rhyme anymore to be considered poetry, but you should have some kind of structure to your writing. Otherwise, it might just be prose.

Write about things you know - if you have a problem or an idea, you will be able to express yourself more succesfully than if you try to imitate someone else.

Don't write aimlessly. Elaborate descriptions with complicated words won't work as well as simple language that actually has meaning.

Other than that, there are no real tips to offer on writing. It is a personal thing and being true to your own voice is the best way.

Answer 2

As both a writer and a teacher, I would advise you to stick to the classics, unless you have one of those New Age, crunched-out, younger teachers who thinks "A Walk to Remember" is a "classic"! In that case, pick something trendy, to get a good grade. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Emily Dickinson:

"I'm Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there's a pair of us?
Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one's name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!"

This is probably her most famous poem and many teens can "relate" to it, because they're still finding their identities. If you have to add an analysis, there are many things you can find in this, despite how short it is. The link below give a basic biography of Emily.

Another thing my kid does is use his own song lyrics (he's in a band) to read to the class or submit as poems. Many bands lyricists are quite poetic, like "the Doors'" Jim Morrison, who wrote many of his songs as poems first.

If you want a "creepiness/sadness" element, try "Annabel Lee", by Edgar Allen Poe. It is the story of young love and tragic loss and is hauntingly beautiful, yet rather spooky as well...good for this time of year! :D

One of my favorite poems is by Tennessee Williams, from the play "Night of the Iguana", simply entitled, "Nonno's Last Poem", since the character, a 90+ year-old man, dies before giving it a title. It begins: "How calmly does the olive branch/Observe the sky begin to blanch/Without a cry, without a prayer,/With no betrayal of despair..."

It's about death and dying, but hope and courage in the face of both. I tried to find a link for you, but was unsuccessful in a short span of time. If you want to use that poem to read, I'd suggest getting a collection of Williams' poems, or better yet, reading the play. (there's also a movie version w/Richard Burton...excellent!).

As for writing your own poetry, you could try just "free-writing"; get a paper and pen, or use the computer (it's more effective for some as it's faster)...and start writing about something that moves you. It could be a lover, a friend, your dog, nature, the sea...anything! Then refine it. Look for unique ways to say ordinary things, by using metaphors and other techniques.

There are several good poety workshops online, such as the ones offered by Writer's Digest, but they're not free.
A good free one is Identitytheory.org. You can both submit and review poems and other writing, for free.

Good luck!

Answer 3

what kind of poetry?

Project Gutenberg is the best site for you 'cos you'll get free viewings/ downloads & you can choose from a range of thousands of authors & poets

if you want a name search of poems, my favourites are:

Maya Angelou
E.E. Cummings
Emily DickinsonW.H.Auden,
Sylvia Plath,
Charles Bukowski
Dylan Thomas,
Pablo Neruda
Louise Gluck
Sharon Olds
John Donne,

of course i'm trying 2 avoid mentioning Shakespeare!
and you might also want to check the Black Poet's Society
you'll find some good up & coming & established poets there

Answer 4

Here's a good online anthology of poems:

http://www.bartleby.com/265/index1.html

If you're new to poetry, try Frost ("After Apple Picking" is a personal favorite) or E. A. Robinson's "Richard Cory."

For writing poetry, you could do worse than reading Mary Oliver's "A Poetry Handbook"

Answer 5

I would recommend Robert Frost, particularly because his poems are shorter. Check out Fire and Ice or The Road Not Taken. If it needs to be longer, I would recommend T.S. Eliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.

Try poemhunter.com.

As for writing....just write what you feel. Don't edit as you write, just let it flow. You can always correct later. Focus on the images and emotions. Let them carry you through the piece.

Answer 6

type in robert frost poetry on google some stuff should come up
good luck
tip: write from your heart

Answer 7

Norton Anthology Begin with a thought , a question, a belief or some insight only you can share.
As long as we're earthbound
All our houses are made of glass.
And nothing we make here
Is built to last.
Too many agendas and
Not enough care
Leads to destruction and
That leads to despair.(Repeat 1st 2 lines) -C.K. Charry '91

Answer 8

Dear you should find out a poem from the collection below of William Wordsworth...the best poet i have ever known.

http://www2.bartleby.com/145/wordchrono.html

Answer 9

yeah,type for keats or byron or wordsworth in yahoo, then download a poetry text u like then read it ,i did it many times..

Answer 10

challenging aspect. research on yahoo and bing. just that might help!