How do you become a good poet ?

Question

Are there any steps needed to take to be a good poet?
or is it something that you can just be and comes natural.

Answer 1

One of the steps needed to be a good poet is the passion for defining the world through your subconcious eye.

It is naturally easier for some, for others it may be more tedious.
But you most certainly must be a voracious reader of poetry.
You must read other Poets work.
Then you must find your own voice.
Also remember that poetry is not defined within the confines of rhyme.
A poem need not rhyme to be good poetry, that is a major misconception. Traditional Rhyme is classic and useful and beyond beautiful, but you may find that you excel at Free Verse.

Every waking moment is an opportunity to write. Every moment can be a poem.
The neon sign flashing 'open' can be a poem, the dog who scratches the dirt at the fence in the park can be a poem.

Look at your world. What do you see? What do you feel?
Write, write, write. Even if at the time you are writing it, it makes no sense to you. Always keep a pen and writing paper handy.
A small memo pad or a moleskin pad, which is thin and fits in any pocket. When you have a thought, write it down.
It all starts with a thought.

If you really want to write poetry, then you will. Your talent can grow by nurtring it. A painter will never be a painter without painting will he?
Good luck in your endeavors. And enjoy exploring the world of poetry!

Answer 2

I think there are definitely people out there who have a natural talent for poetry, but I don't think that it means you can't become a good one with practice.

Read and study closely poetry that you feel is "good." Decide that you want to be a good poet, and start writing poetry often. Some of the greatest poets are known for the massive amounts of work they put into one poem, spending lots of time re-writing, correcting and refining their work. So I don't think that you necessarily have to have something genius on your first go.

I think it's one of those things that takes practice and hard work if you really want to be good.

Answer 3

You don't "become" one,you just are.I mean,what makes a good poet different from everyone else is the ability to accurately convey what they feel.Like a painter.A good painter can get the picture from their head onto the canvas,and most other people will know what it's supposed to be.However,kind of by the same token,art is in the eye of the beholder,and poetry is in the soul of the reader.Don't take advice on how to do it,just do it how you feel.Someone will recognize the fire or torture or passion-whatever you're trying to get out.

Answer 4

i don't believe anything comes truely natural. we all must practice and explore others work that you admire. I am a poet and i write about what i like. i know this is a cliche answer but i love poems that others might hate and i hate some poems that others love. everyone can find an audience, your poetry is your own and no one can tell you that it's not true. if its from your heart and you like it, its art. good luck, and just get inspired from the greats, langston hughes, frost, plath, ginsberg

Answer 5

Poet is an athlet from the heart.
Discipline.Keep writting!
Always keep a pencil and a paper on your pocket because...the real poet is waiting for inspiration...

Answer 6

When I was 9 I submitted a poem to a publishing company that was holding a contest, and it won. Under the guise of me being 18, of course. But that was the last time I gave real poetry a shot, because after that it was all depressing stuff that no one would want to read.

Answer 7

Read and study as much poetry as you can.
Check out The Norton Anthology of poetry

Answer 8

Go to poetry.com
It has some pointers
Write what is from your heart and then you can change some things later to make it flow.
There are so many different styles, you dont even have to make it rhyme.

Answer 9

Read lots of other poets, and then forget everything they did.

Observe, feel, write, throw away, rewrite, observe, feel, rewrite.

Answer 10

by reading good books of literature philosiphyetc