Approaches to Poetry



With what approach should I write my poem, This is the usual query of first-time poets and professionals alike. How one should write his poem should not be a debate topic. This is because everyone has his own style, and for this reason, no poem should be considered erroneous or inferior to any other. However, for the purpose of this discussion, some approaches in writing a poem are especially recommended.

It is a usual approach for most poets to consider the timetable in writing a poem. It usually takes days or even weeks before a poem can be completed. Another approach used in writing a poem is to make sure that the subject of a particular poem is of significance to the poet. But to use this approach, one must use a “mask” – second or third person voice – especially if the topic is too personal or painful to the writer. It is also necessary for every poet to give his work a sense of reverie. Also, in writing a poem, one must free his entire imagination so as to have a smooth flow of ideas.

There are also other approaches to writing a poem dealing with the writing style of the poet. All poets should employ metaphors in writing poems. It is also suggested for a poet to write a spoof of a known poem to allow him to borrow certain ideas from other authors and work on them so that ultimately an entirely different idea emerges.

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