How To Write Poems

Ever wondered how to write a poem? For writers who want to dig deep, composing verse lets you sift the sand of your experience for new glimmers of insight. And if you’re in it for less lofty reasons, shaping a stanza from start to finish can teach you to have fun with language in totally new ways.

Brainstorm your starting point. Don't force yourself to write your poem in order, from the first line to the last. ...

Free-write in prose. ...

Choose your poem's form and style. ...

Read for inspiration. ...

Start writing for an audience of one — you. ...

Read your poem out loud. ...

Take a break to refresh your mind. ...

Revise your poem.