Finding Your Inspiration For Poetry : Part 3

We polled Pulitzer Prize winners, poet laureates and professors to get their thoughts on where poems come from and below is their experience this may help you.

"Poems come from ordinary experiences and objects, I think. Out of memory—a dress I lent my daughter on her way back to college; a newspaper photograph of war; a breast self-exam; the tooth fairy; Calvinist parents who beat up their children; a gesture of love; seeing oneself naked over age 50 in a set of bright hotel bathroom mirrors."
—Sharon Olds, winner of the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award for The Dead and the Living

"Poetry for me is a little bit like noodling at a piano, or like muttering or shouting when you play a game or dance—almost meaningless little grunts like oh yeah and whoopsy-daisy, and easy does it and watch-it-watch-it-watch-it and yes-yes-yes (or, no-no-no).
—Robert Pinsky, U.S. poet laureate, 1997–2000
"I'm only half joking when I say a stork brings the poems. They are little creatures I have to train and send out into the world."
—Terrance Hayes, winner of the 2010 National Book Award for Lighthead
"When I least expect it something strikes me. Just now, for instance, we were driving westward and stopped at the West Virginia welcome station, and I looked at the woman next to me who tucked her purse between her legs to wash her hands, and that little action triggered something in me—I suddenly thought of all the things we do subconsciously to keep things neat, and the way women carry purses around."
—Rita Dove, winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Thomas and Beulah
"I think I was just born with iambic pentameter in my veins. Writing poetry is an obsession—who in his or her right mind would become a poet?"
—Maxine Kumin, U.S. poet laureate, 1981–1982

"The idea that poetry comes from beyond oneself is vital, as is the sense that one writes a poem in a condition that is often associated with a spiritual position, i.e., the condition of humility. One doesn't know what one's doing and is inspired in that respect. But it doesn't mean one's completely inert, or passive; rather it's just about allowing a poem to come from wherever it comes from and getting it into the world."
—Paul Muldoon, winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Moy Sand and Gravel
"I feel my way into a poem. Ther is no topic that is taboo. And even if I were to avoid certain topics, they would return to me, beckoning, and demanding to be written."
—Yusef Komunyakaa, winner of the 1994 Pulitzer prize for Neon Vernacular
"There seem to be no deals you can make with poetry to entice it out of its lair. A poem, actually any writing, is always a private thing, and that is how I begin. It must have that secret source."
—Michael Ondaatje, author of The English Patient and 12 poetry books

"There seem to be no deals you can make with poetry to entice it out of its lair. A poem, actually any writing, is always a private thing, and that is how I must begin. It must have that secret source."
—Billy Collins, U.S. poet laureate, 2001–2003
"You have to pay attention to what's said and what's not said, and what's done and not done. And that creates curiosity. You go to that what if. And that what if takes you into the poem."
—Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor of English, Virginia Tech

"I don't have any method. But I like to talk to people and find out what their story is—and then just listen."
—Azure Antoinette, spoken-word poet
"When you go to bed, you can't force a dream, right? In fact, the dream is a gift because it's a surprise. There are different theories about where dreams come from, but a general one is that the day's residue often becomes the little grain of sand around which the dream will then build. i think a poem is like that."
—Timothy Liu, author of eight poetry collections
"They come from my wanting to write them. I want to make something. The way I work is I start, and then something starts to happen. In other words, I have to mehanically, intentionally, and willfully begin."
—Kay Ryan, U.S. poet laureate, 2008–2010
"I think lines of poetry come to you whenever they come. You could be waiting for the dentist and suddenly you'll get an image or a line and you write it down. I write on the backs of envelopes, parking tickets—whatever I have at hand because you cannot lasso the muse. I really believe you can't force a lot of this. Now, I passionately believe in revision, and that you have to try to write in a disciplined way as much as you can. But I do think there are moments that you suddenly get something, given to you as a gift from the imagination, and you have to honor those moments as well."
—Carol Muske-Dukes, California Poet Laureate and professor of English and Creative 

Writing at the University of Southern California

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Finding Your Inspiration For Poetry : Part 2

In poetry, more than in other forms of writing, there is an attitude that you must wait for inspiration to strike. This seems to be true particularly among beginning poets, but I have seen this inclination in those who have been writing poetry for years as well. I believe that there are two problems with this attitude. The first is that you can wait a very long time for inspiration to strike. The second is that when it does strike, it is likely to come from your subconscious.

One of the ways to get around the problem of waiting is to put yourself in a poetry frame of mind, which can be as easy to do as reading poetry that you like, or sometimes poetry you don't like. Keeping a varied poetry library increases the chances that you will find something to motivate you. Reading poetry that I like moves me to create something beautiful myself. Sometimes inspiration comes from just one phrase and sometimes it is the whole idea. Occasionally I am inspired by the rhythm of the language. 

Reading poetry expands poetry horizons. You see the many things that poetry can be written about and it breaks you out of your shell of thought. It also increases the myriad of images and ideas in your subconscious. The number of people who write poetry but don't read it is astounding, and you can usually tell who they are when you read their work. 

On the days that I have started out reading poetry, I see it reflected everywhere. I don't have to wait for inspiration to strike -- I can't make it leave me alone. There is poetry in the reflection of headlights in the rain, in the feeling of a strand of hair falling across my face, and even in the strange spots that mysteriously appear on the bathroom mirror.

I have heard the argument that reading poetry right before writing may make you sound like the poet you've just read.  This is possible, but unlikely. We all have a unique voice that will shine through whatever we write.  I am not Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost and while I may be inspired and influenced by them, I am still me in my poetry. 

However, if you are concerned about this influence, putting yourself in the right frame of mind can be as simple as writing your own poem. No matter how good or bad it turns out, you are now thinking about poetry. 

Some might say that the second problem, poems coming from the subconscious, is a good thing. I would have to disagree. Images and ideas from your subconscious are likely to be similar to things you have seen or heard before. There is also more likely to be a recurring theme in your mind. Both of these things increase the chance that the resulting poem will be something that has been overdone, by you or by others. As an example, I have a hand and foot fetish, and I am also fascinated by the wind. My 'inspired' poetry reflects this. It is easy and effortless for me to write most of the poems like this. Most are also not very good. 

It is good practice to write when you feel no inspiration or even inclination to do so.  One of the ways in which I push myself is to sit down and write about whatever object comes into my head, or the least poetic thing you can think of at the moment.  Sometimes I look around and write about the first thing that catches my attention. I call this the "I spy" challenge.  For example, right now, on my desk, I have some notes brainstorming for a title for a novel. At the very top is a name that caught my attention.

Jochen Hahn's

Name caught my ear.

I wondered why

The announcer seemed to say

"Yuckin Heim"

 

He is now

A name I know.

A lyricism engraved on my soul.

Proof of music

In the world.

I won't forget this time.

While this is not a great work of art, it did what it was intended to do. It pushed me beyond my expectations of what I thought I could write. It can be fixed if I feel like it, or it can be thrown away. The most important thing this poem did was to start me thinking about poetry. I am inspired to write more, or just to write something better.

Another way to push yourself to write when you think you cannot is to use the dictionary. Open it at random and point to a word. Use the word in a poem; if you are feeling bold find several words this way and use them all in the same poem. If you want rhymes, get out the rhyming dictionary.

Write with a friend.  You can pick a phrase or several words and each write a poem that includes it.  Seeing the different ways a person can use words, phrases or ideas can be another form of inspiration. Can you write like your friend? Try it. I doubt you will succeed, but you may find a new well of ideas in yourself.

My most creative work comes not when I take the easy way and wait for inspiration, but when I try to be creative within restraints. You must push yourself harder and find the reserves inside. You can do what you thought was impossible; writing when you thought you had no inspiration, and finding that what you wrote is good. You may even inspire yourself. Inspiration and poetry are like the chicken and the egg. Sometimes writing the poem comes before the inspiration, and not the other way around.

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Finding Your Inspiration For Poetry : Part 1

A good poet is able to find the natural rhythms of everyday life and express them eloquently in words. But where do the ideas come from? There are thousands of poems out there about tired subjects like love and war; as a poet, your job is to find either a new and original take on these overused subjects or bring an original idea to life. Sometimes, however, the poetry muse takes a hike…and doesn’t return.

Here are just a few of the many ways to either discover or reclaim your wayward muse:
Look around you. Anything, anything at all can be the subject of a poem if dealt with in an original and creative matter.

Keep a notebook with you at all times and keep an eye on the people and places around you. The grocery store, the park, the bus—all can inspire new and creative ideas for poems. You might not necessarily write about what you see, but ideas may come to you in different settings.

Keep a notebook beside the bed for ideas that stem from dreams. Or write a poem about a dream you wish you’d had.
Keep a file of ideas—clippings, sketches, quotes—anything that may inspire a poem later on.

Writing prompts can often generate original thought. Try a “what if” scenario: What if children ruled the world? What if you woke up three feet taller?
Write about something “ugly” and make it beautiful through imagery.
Write a poem that consists solely of dialogue. Or create a poem from a list (i.e. the ten best pieces of advice I ever received). 

Write a poem about someone from a distant place and time as if you were that person.
Write about an inanimate object—or from the object’s point of view. “Ode to a Paperclip” may not get you published, but it may spark creativity and original ideas. 

Write from someone else’s point of view. Instead of yet another poem about Christmas, try writing about Christmas from the point of view of the homeless woman on the corner. Avoid using the word “Christmas” and rely on imagery instead.

Write about something you did NOT experience but wish you had (i.e. Woodstock) or an era in which you’d like to have lived.
Try writing passionately about something you passionately do NOT believe in—and make it convincing. Write about the joy of being a skinflint or how lovely it is to kill baby seals. Try this with or without the use of irony. 

Go back to your childhood and write an apology in the form of a poem. Write a poem to someone you wish you had known or confront someone who did you wrong.
Scan newspaper or magazine headlines—write a poem about the woman who gave birth to six alien babies or the man who built a shrine to cockroaches. Take risks and experiment with the bizarre.

Take your personal demons and put them down on paper. If the subject is painful yet rings true, it will strike a chord with your readers. Don’t b

e afraid to tackle uncomfortable subjects.

Take on the cliches directly: try writing a good love poem without once using the word “love.” Take it a step further and eliminate the words “joy,” “desire,” and “heart.”

Read contemporary poets’ work. Read all you can. Identify what makes a poem call to you and analyze what makes you dislike other poems. Gain inspiration from others’ work.
Remember: all subject matter is worthy. A good poet need not have traveled the world or lived a life of tragedy. Look in your own metaphorical backyard for material.
Above all, keep writing, keep submitting, and write some more. The poems that result may not be worthy, but keep it up. It’s better to write a bad poem than to not write one at all. Eventually, even when your muse has flown the coop, the right poem will emerge.

 

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Poetry for Beginners - Lesson 4

Diamante

In this lesson, we will be learning about the diamante style of poetry. I, for one, think that it's good for those who want to advance as a poet, as the rules are mildly strict. Prepare for another lesson!

The diamante is a style of poetry with seven lines and is in the shape of a diamond (diamante means diamond). It was developed by Iris Tiedt in "A New Poetry Form: The Diamante" (1969).  The diamante is a poem of opposites. There are different ways to do it, but I would appreciate if you would stick to the method presented in the lesson.

The format of a diamante is a little complicated, but easy enough to study in this class. The format is below.

Line 1-noun or subject (so basically your topic) *One word*
Line 2- two adjectives for noun/subject *Two words*
Line 3- three adjectives ending in "-ing" that describe your topic *Three words*
Line 4- two adjectives about topic, two about antonym/synonym of topic *Four words*
Line 5- three adjectives ending in "-ing" for antonym/synonym *Three words*
Line 6- two adjectives describing the antonym/synonym *Two words*
Line 7- antonym/synonym *One word*

Now to explain the format...

*Your diamante will be divided in half basically, 3 and 1/2 lines for your first topic (Line 1) and 3 and 1/2 lines for your second topic (Line 7).

*After you write your topic, it is important to then complete Line 7. You will need line 7 for lines 4, 5, and 6.

*You could write your diamante in two ways, and still get a diamond shape. You can use the center of a notebook page and put each line's text neatly under each other to create a diamond shape, or start from the edge, go horizontal for each line, and go one line beneath another and so on.

Here is an example of a diamante, written by me.

                                                                        Winter
                                                                Cold, beautiful
                                                      Touching, satisfying, amazing
                                       Wonderous, bewitching...warm, colorful
                                                       Exciting, amazing, amusing
                                                                  Fun, awesome
                                                                         Summer


It followed the format, thus leading to the diamond shape.

Here is a list of "-ing" adjectives, in case you get confused.

-exciting
-interesting
-amazing
-amusing
-satisfying
-touching
-fascinating
-fulfilling
-comforting
-boring
-pleasing
-calming
-exhausting
-soothing

How to Write a Diamante

Great! You've learned about the diamante, read an example, and got a list of words you could use. Now it's time to get going and write a diamante! Here are the steps.

1. Create a list of topics. Choose one, and write it down. This will be Line 1. Create a list of synonyms or antonyms for your topic, choose one, and write it down. This will be Line 7.

2. Create a list of adjectives, any adjectives. Choose two that describe your subject and write them down. This will be Line 2.

3. Choose three adjectives that end in "-ing" that describe your topic (there is a list on this page!). Write them down. This will be Line 3.

4. Create a list of adjectives that describe your synonym/antonym.

5. Look back at your list of adjectives for your first topic. Pick two, and write them down, then add "...".
Pick two adjectives from the list of adjectives describing your second topic, and write them down after the "...". All this should be in one line, which is Line 4.

6. Look back at your list of adjectives for your second topic, and pick three adjectives ending in "-ing", and write them down. This will be Line 5.

7. Look back at your list of adjectives for the second topic (again!). Choose two which describe your word for Line 7, and write them down. This will be Line 6.

8. Reread your poem and look for mistakes and edit until it is amazing!



That's all for the diamante. I hope you enjoyed learning about this dazzling type of poetry, and continue to write it.

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Poetry for Beginners - Lesson 3

Haiku
Greetings beginner poets! We have now reached our third lesson. From the title above I'm guessing you know we are going to discuss the haiku, and then you will head to your homework assignment. Are we clear? Okay, let us start!

The haiku is a style of poetry from Japan. It was originally used to write about nature.  Each verse has 3 lines and one verse has 17 moras, or syllables. The number of verses is unlimited, though a good number would be 3-4 verses. In one verse the first line is made up of five syllables, the second made of 7, and the third 5. Here is a visual format of a haiku.

5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables

5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables

...and so on.

Fast fact: In Japanese, a haiku is traditionally printed in a single vertical line. In English they appear in three lines, to parallel the three phrases of the Japanese haiku.

The haiku's name was given by the Japanese haiku writer Masaoka Shiki at the end of the 19th century.

When writing your haiku, do not use meaningless words such as I, the, a, it. You only have a limited number of syllables for each line so use meaningful words that fit in the syllable limit too. The haiku is your chance to be pensive in thinking and put the most meaningful things in your mind onto paper. A haiku is better for writing about nature, but you are always free to write a haiku for anything else.

Here are  examples of a haiku:
Examples

And here is a verse of one I wrote, called "Silence":

Nothing happening
Too quiet somewhere, not loud
Scary and haunting


How to Write a Haiku Now that you've looked at some examples of haiku (yes, you were supposed to click that link!) and learned about haiku in general, you should now learn how to write one. Follow the method below and see what magic comes out of your favorite pen or pencil!

Step 1:  Think about a theme for your haiku. After that, think of some words that come to mind, relate, and go well with your theme and write them down.

Step 2:  Organize your thoughts about your theme in three lines. First, set the scene, then expand on that by expressing a feeling, making an observation or recording an action. Keep it simple!

Step 3:  Polish your haiku into three lines, the first with 5 syllables, the second with 7 syllables, and the third with 5 syllables. It may take some time and substitution of words to make it fit.

Step 4: Repeat Steps 1-3 as you write more verses to your haiku.

I hope this method helps you write a haiku!

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Poetry for Beginners - Lesson 2

Couplet
Greetings young poets and welcome to your second lesson. Today, we are going to talk about the couplet. First I am going to tell you something about what a couplet is and how to write it, then you will proceed with you assignments. Alright, let us start!

A Couplet is a Stanza of only two. Shakespearean sonnets usually end in a couplet and are a pair of lines that are the same length and usually rhyme and form a complete thought. William Shakespeare makes use of couplets in more complex rhyme schemes. Most couplets rhyme (aa), but they do not have to only rhyme by end rhyming. In this case, if not rhyming by the end, it must rhyme at least in assonant rhyme style. In a couplet, the words you use to rhyme must sound close enough. Rhyming couplets are one of the simplest rhyme schemes in poetry.

Note: Think of a couplet as a part of song lyrics. The lyrics don't always rhyme, but they sound close enough to be known as a rhyme.

Couplets are used by many cultures. One of them is the colourful Chinese culture. Chinese couplets known as duilian may be seen on doorways in Chinese communities worldwide. They are displayed on the first morning of the New Year. They are usually purchased at a market a few days before and glued to the doorframe. The text of the Chinese couplets is often traditional and contains hopes for prosperity. Eight is considered a lucky number in Chinese tradition, so many Chinese couplets consists of two lines of four characters each. Couplets are often written vertically from top to bottom to add formality to their poetry.

There are also many variations of the couplet, based on line length and meter. Let us have a look at some.

 Short couplet – has iambic or trochaic tetrameter.

       Example:   Into my empty head there come
                         a cotton beach, a dock wherefrom

                               I set out, oily and nude
                               through mist in oily solitude.
                                                                 Maxine Kumin
Split couplet -  its first line is in iambic pentameter, the second in iambic dimeter.
           Example:          The weighty seas are rowled from the deeps
                                      In mighty heaps,
                                     And from the rocks' foundations do arise
                                     To kiss the skies.
                                                                    Richard Steere
 

Heroic couplet - two lines of iambic pentameter which are often the last two lines of the English sonnet.
            Example:          Such is my love, to thee I so belong,
                                        That for thy right myself will bear all wrong.
                                                                         William Shakespeare, Sonnet 88       
 Alexandrine Couplet – it is a line of iambic hexameter, so an alexandrine couplet is two rhymed lines of such. These often come at the end of stanzas or poems and, in these cases, are also called codas.

          Example:          A needless alexandrine ends the song

                                  that like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along.

                                  

                                     Alexander Pope

                                                           

Fun fact: Couplets are the most common rhyme scheme in 'old school' rap and are still very commonly used in today's hip-hip music and rapping.

How to write a couplet:

Now that you have found something more about couplets in general, let's go to the imaginative part of this lesson. Yes, that is right! Writing time! Open your minds and let your thoughts fly on the paper. Writing a couplet is very easy, because you do not need to follow any specific rules, only that it needs to rhyme.

1. First, like always, think about what you'll write in your couplet. It can be anything, from nature to disasters.

 2. Now that you have what you are going to write about, think of how to put it into two lines and make it rhyme.

 3. Polish it around the edges and voila! Your couplet is done.

 4. You can add more stanzas to your couplet, using steps 1-3.

Goodbye class and don't forget to take your assignment on the way out!

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Poetry for Beginners - Lesson 1

 
Introduction to Poetry and Free-Style Poetry

So, here we are, our first lesson. In this lesson we will learn about poetry, free-style poetry, and talk about a few poets. Then, you will head on to your homework. And PLEASE, no sleeping!

First of all, what really IS poetry in the first place? Poetry is a style of writing that has thoughts, feelings, facts, opinions, etc. to state something true or just from the poet's point of view. Poetry can be about anything and can be written however you want. Some famous poets include William Shakespeare, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, and for children, Jack Prelutsky, and Shel Silverstein.

And poetry doesn't have to rhyme, there are styles of poetry that don't require rhymes. Some poets rhyme to make their poems sound good. Others use vivid details or significant words. But as a poet you choose how to write poetry, and which style you will write the most often.

Have you ever heard or read a poem? What in the poem attracts reader?  How does the poet use certain words? How is the poem set up? You should identify poetry and it's traits. Some traits include: verses, strong words, vivid details, deep thought, and feelings. So when you write a poem, most of those traits should be identified in your poem.

Next step..what should your poem BE about? Try something that you enjoy, if you like dancing, write a poem about that! You are NOT limited to ideas! Be creative and something will come to mind. Just a note, in Japan a haiku was originally a poem about something related to nature, just in case you want inspiration for a haiku. Here are some "juicers":

*Your favorite pastime
*Something you hate
*The time you felt very upset and droopy
*Your favorite holiday
*A special treasure

There are many more ideas, as those are only a few. Keep in mind that a good poem starts with a good idea!


Free-Style Poetry
Free style poetry is our first style of poetry we will be studying in this class. There are no rules or format for this style of poetry. You can write about anything you want, however you want. Free style poetry is good for the poet who wants to follow their own rules and wants to be creative. You can even create a free style poem by mixing some traits of two different styles of poetry together! Doesn't that sound fun? Well, it is! You can follow this method to write a freestyle poem. First, read this example written by me:

Starry Night
Silver skies
Light the night
How peaceful
In the soul
Stars shine bright
Soar like a kite
In this simple beautiful night

Like it? Well, read on to find out how to write your own freestyle poem, it may even be better than mine!

1. Decide on a topic. If you can't think of any, think about your feelings. Are you angry, frustrated, annoyed? Why? How did it happen? If you have writers' block then use your feelings as a base.

2. After you decide on your topic, brainstorm a list of words related to your topic. For example, if my topic was "rain", I could put "wet". Another example, if my topic was being caught in sadness, I could put "looking for happiness". Try using a dictionary and/or a thesaurus for more words.

3. Choose your best words. Then add more language, meaning, and feelings to them.

4. Write a poem from your final list of words! Play around and see which word can fit where!

Try using the word "poem" whenever writing a poem:

Plan, start planning out your poem
Organize, sort out your brainstormed ideas
Enlighten, add some pizzazz to your poem
Master, make your poem the best it can be!


That's all for this lesson, now head on to your assignment!

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