How To: Write Poetry

The best definition of a poem is: "A composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines." If a poem isn't rhyming, it's not a poem. Technically if you describe something in a vivid and imaginative way, and use literary techniques such as meter and/or metaphor blah blah blah, it can be considered a poem. More logically however, that would simply be considered a story, and you're flat out wrong if you call it a poem.

The greatest of poets - Poe, Dickinson, Longfellow - all use rhymes in their poetry and their most famous works are rhyme incorporated. Example of a great poem by Edgar Allan Poe (an excerpt taken from the last part of "Annabel Lee")

"For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling--my darling--my life and my bride,
In her sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea."

Only reading this brief part of the poem, you can feel the emotion and are encompassed with the description he displays. How he remembers the love of his life and is constantly reminded of her by his surroundings. Very vivid description that effortlessly brings you into his world and what he's feeling. A+ for Ed.

On the other hand, we have an example of a horrible poem by Elizabeth Bishop. Haven't heard of her? Exactly. She doesn't know how to write good poetry because she doesn't rhyme. (an excerpt taken from the last part of "Filling Station")

"Somebody embroidered the doily.
Somebody waters the plant,
or oils it, maybe. Somebody
arranges the rows of cans
so that they softly say:
ESSO--SO--SO--SO
to high-strung automobiles.
Somebody loves us all."

The Doily? Oiling a plant? ESSO SO SO SO? Wow. This is considered an actual poem? You've got to be kidding me! I've created more beautiful poetry in the "Filling Station" better known as the toilet. And my toilet poetry was much more entertaining than the above nonsense. It made more sense too. When you take a story and try to make it poetry without rhymes, it just comes out like crap. I wonder who is more mentally challenged, the writer of this nonsense or the people who buy it and read it. It takes no talent whatsoever to write poetry without rhymes.

I've decided myself to become a great poet. Here's the first of many poems that will be famous and go down in history. Since it takes no creativity, plot, rhyming, or thinking, enjoy my soon to be famous work of art poem, "Johnny Genius"

"Deep are does at mukluk pickle. Doily, doily, doilees.
WEEEEE WEEEEEE WEEEEEEE. slkdfjlaksjfoiawej askjfllaskjfl oaifsjfjojoi oijf jloj"

I'm the best poet EVER!

~John "The Poet" Money

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