Poetry has a way of capturing emotions and experiences that photos and other types of media do not. It can make us laugh, cry, express our feelings and also let us see life from a different perspective. For many people, writing a poem can feel daunting and unnecessary, like it requires a PhD to write one and is not needed in this world. The truth is, anyone can write a poem. People have written poems to express their feelings, to carry on tales of the past and many more. It does not have to be as perfect as a Shakespearean sonnet; it focuses more on expressing your feelings, thoughts and observations that can resonate within yourself. In this guide, we will break down how you can write a poem, from finding inspiration to polishing your poem.
1. Find Inspiration
Inspiration can come from anywhere: your life, surroundings, books, nature, music, and more. It can strike at any time, so it’s important to be prepared. I keep a note on my phone for when ideas come to me. When I’m out and about, it’s the easiest way to capture thoughts before they slip away. Others also prefer keeping a pocket-sized notebook to jot down ideas. Another way to find inspiration or to come up with ideas is to write down random words that can connect to each other. For example, “trees”, “wind”, “forest”, “calmness” and etc.
2. Choose a Theme or Message
Once you have a few words or an idea, think about the theme or message you want your poem to express. It can be an emotion, an event, or something from your personal life. For example, you could write about the theme of escaping a busy life.
There’s no such thing as a “wrong” theme. Poetry can be about anything your heart desires. And remember, you don’t have to share your poems with anyone.
There’s a difference between writing to share a message and writing to explore your emotions. Writing with a message can feel less personal and more like storytelling. It’s often longer and based on events or ideas you want to advocate for. Writing to explore your feelings can be difficult at first, but over time, it becomes easier and can even help you process emotions in a rewarding way.
3. Pick a Form
Poetry comes in many forms. The two most common are free verse and rhyming poems.
- Free verse is the easiest form for beginners, since it has no set structure or rhyme scheme. You can write exactly how your heart feels.
- Rhyming poems have more structure. In these, the last word of a line rhymes with the ending word of another line. The most common rhyme scheme is couplet rhyme (AABB), where each pair of lines rhymes. While fun, rhyming poems can sometimes feel restrictive, especially for beginners, because you may focus too much on finding rhymes instead of expressing your message.
Other forms, like haikus, sonnets, or spoken word, are worth exploring once you’re comfortable.
4. Play Around with Language
Figurative language is one of poetry’s strongest tools. Use devices like metaphors, similes, personification, alliteration, and imagery to bring your words to life.
- Literal: She laughed happily.
- Figurative: Her laughter was sunlight spilling into the room.
Figurative language doesn’t just add emotion; it also creates vivid imagery, adds layers of meaning, and makes your poem more memorable and personal.
5. Write Your First Draft
Your first draft will not be your final draft. Just let the words flow. Don’t worry about perfection, write messily, write simply, write freely. Even a basic sentence like “The grass is green” is a good starting point.
At this stage, don’t edit or stress about structure. The goal is simply to get words onto the page.
6. Revise and Edit
Now it’s time to polish your poem. Read through your draft and:
- Add more detail and figurative language.
- Restructure lines or stanzas so the flow makes sense.
- Cut unnecessary words or phrases.
- Check for rhythm, clarity, and tone.
One of the best ways to revise is by reading your poem aloud. If a line feels awkward or doesn’t flow, go back and adjust it.
7. What to Do with Your Poem
Once you have a final draft, you can either share it or keep it private. Poetry is personal, and there’s no obligation to publish it if you don’t want to.
If you do choose to share, you could:
- Show it to friends or family
- Enter competitions
- Post it online or on social media
Do whatever feels right for you.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forcing rhymes: Writing a poem around rhyming words can make it feel unnatural or confusing.
- Using clichés: Overused phrases can weaken your poem. If you want to use a cliché, try rewording it or giving it a new twist.
Poetry is one of the most personal forms of writing, and there’s no single “right” way to do it. Don’t be discouraged if your first poem isn’t perfect; like any other skill, poetry takes practice. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on finding your own voice.
Whether your poem is one stanza or twenty, what matters is that you keep writing. Poetry is a gift you give yourself, and every line you write brings you closer to expressing who you are.