Q&A for How to Write a Poem

End it with the most emotional word (the darkest, happiest or even saddest word you can think of).

Read plenty of poetry. Study them. Think about the ones that touch you deeply. What did you like about them? And then sit down and listen to your heart. The right words will come.

Spend time in nature, looking around and seeing what inspires you. If you can't get outside, look at online images of nature, or your own photos from a visit to a park or the countryside. Write down a list or mind map of words that are inspired by thinking about nature. Include your emotions. Then use this brainstorming preparation to write your poem, basing it on how nature makes you feel, what you like about nature and what sorts of things other people can get from understanding their relationship to the natural world.

Sure, as long as you're not copying the lyrics of the song (besides maybe a key line or two if you want, ideally used in your own, different way). Poetry can be inspired by anything.

It's fine, you can cry. It just means you're really feeling the poetry. But you can always step aside for a few minutes and try to clear your mind.

You can use a phrase in the poem, a meta-description ("Composed on a Skyscraper"), a phrase that captures the tone of the poem, or a phrase that alters the poem's interpretation. If you can't find a title that adds to the poem, don't name it.

Different kinds of poems have different set rhyme schemes. Keep in mind the type of poem you're trying to write and look for words that convey the meaning you want and fit your poem's rhyme scheme. You might consider looking up an online rhyming dictionary. Also, keep in mind that your poem doesn't necessarily have to rhyme. Again, it depends on the type of poem you're trying to write, but not all poems rhyme.

If you have experienced that emotion(s) that you are writing about, use what you felt. If you haven't, then you can ask someone who has or just imagine what it would have felt like.

Yes, in a way. A song is longer, more rhythmic and has a slightly different style than poetry.

Think of what relates to that person. Take a line from the poem, maybe, or something indirect that would remind you of that person. Perhaps there is a favorite, typical character trait or action that this person does that would sum him or her up for you?

You have to practice and train yourself to write poetry. Widen your vocabulary, enhance your imagination, and experience a variety of emotions. Even the professionals never stop learning and working at it. So the best thing you can do to prepare yourself to write a poem on the spot is to practice.

Writing good poetry is all about practice, practice, practice. Sonnets are especially hard. I recommend writing multiple versions of the poem, then having others edit or make suggestions on the sonnet. Remember, if you aren't at expert level on the first try, it just means you're human. This article could be useful to get you started: Write a Sonnet .

You could think of poems only and perhaps say them out loud. Then you'd still be a poet, just not a textually published one. There are many possibilities in the world and what you call yourself from a creative perspective is entirely up to you. Of course, if you never conjure up anything remotely like poetry in your head, you'd be pushing things a bit to call yourself a poet...

Yes, I believe what you're referring to is called a "prose poem." Try googling some examples and see if that's something you might like to try.

Describe what you think of him when you see him, the qualities you like about him, and how you really feel about him.

Sure! Write and publish poetry that's much better than everyone else's. That's how poets you've heard of got famous.

Write out the person's character traits/personality traits. Write about memorable moments you had with this person. Write what you know about this person's life, i.e. where/when he or she was born, and what important things they did. Then write down how you feel about them and how you feel now that they're gone. Then just try to tie it all together with some interesting rhymes, symbols, descriptive language, etc.

Write down your thoughts about promises, then organize them into a poem.

Play a tune on the piano, and then sing the poem so that it matches the tune.

Yes, absolutely. The meter will be constrained by the beat, of course, but rhymes, alliteration, and other audible techniques are central to rap.

Two enjoyable and informative works are Stephen Fry's "The Ode Less Travelled" and Timothy Steele's "All the Fun's In How You Say A Thing". For a denser, more traditionalist manual, read Paul Fussell's "Poetic Meter and Poetic Form".

Yes, if you are an outstanding poet, and if a publisher is very impressed with your work.

It depends on the person you're flirting with. Thoughtful people tend to like poems.

Look at pictures of the city, think about what it is like. Watch videos about that city and listen to city sounds to help you get motivated and inspired.

Read poems by other writers, think about your favorite things in life, take a walk through nature or listen to music for inspiration.

Search up the literary devices - metaphor, simile, etc. - and try to incorporate them into a poem. There isn't a specific way to do this unless you know precisely which literary devices you're trying to include in the poem.

Read lots and lots of published poetry. Study them. Describe what you like, and don't like, about them and why. Reading the works of professional poets is a great teaching tool.

No, a poem will not have a meaning or expression if you write in one sentence.

The best poetry will stimulate thoughts and feelings in its readers.

A friendship poem. Is your friendship happy? Sad? Argumentative? Find a format, and write about it. The really is no formula you have to follow for writing poetry about friends.