Writing poetry is a brave thing to do. Putting your emotions into words is a difficult thing to do, as some people find it difficult to open up their emotions. If you are new to writing poetry and it does not look or sound the way you wanted, it does not mean that you are bad at writing poems; it means that you are at the starting point and learning.
Every poet who has lived started out not as good as they are now, and most did make mistakes, which led them to their best pieces. Below are some commonly made mistakes beginners make and how to fix them.
1. Trying too much to sound “Poetic”
Many beginner poets feel like they need to sound perfect and impressive. This can lead to:
- Overloaded metaphors
- Using words you barely or do not even know the definition of, and how to use them
- Flowery language that says very little
Even though these can improve your writing, it takes time to learn and understand them.
Here is how you can fix it: Write plainly first
Allow yourself to write simple and “boring” sentences. Focus on what you actually want to say in your poem, and do not focus on making it beautiful with figurative language yet. Once you have completed your poem by using simple sentences and have made the meaning clear, you can edit it in a later stage with figurative language.
Some great poems use everyday language; the beauty of poems comes from the emotions the words of the poem hold.
2. Forcing Rhymes
Rhyming can be fun, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to weaken a poem when it’s forced. Common signs include:
- Awkward sentence structure
- Using words that don’t quite fit
- Prioritising rhyme over meaning
A rhyme that exists only to rhyme will always feel empty to the reader.
Here is how you can fix it: Try out free verse
Free verse allows you to focus on imagery, emotion, and rhythm without the pressure of matching sounds. Once you understand how a poem works without rhyme, you can return to structured forms with more control. Remember: rhyme should serve the poem, not control it.
3. Being too vague
Many beginner poems talk about big emotions, like love, sadness, pain, and hope, but never show them. The result is a poem that feels distant or generic. Saying “I am sad” doesn’t let the reader feel sadness.
How to fix it: Show the emotion through images and actions.
Instead of saying the feeling, describe what it does or what it is like going through it. What does sadness look like in a room? How does it move through the body? What small, ordinary moment reveals it? Specific details make poems feel real and relatable.
4. Over-Explaining the Poem
It’s tempting to guide the reader, especially when the poem feels personal. This often shows up as explaining the meaning at the end, telling the reader how to feel, and summarising the poem’s message. When everything is explained, there’s no space for interpretation.
How to fix it: Trust the image.
If your poem has strong imagery, it doesn’t need instructions. Let the reader experience it in their own way. Poetry doesn’t need to explain itself to be valid.
5. Editing Too Soon
Many beginners edit while they write. They delete lines immediately, rewrite constantly, and judge the poem before it has a chance to exist. This interrupts the flow and often kills emotional honesty. This allows the idea of a poem to be perfect at all times. This can lead to not wanting to write because you have the idea that it needs to be perfect. Thus, you will become scared to write because what if what you write is not as good or perfect?
How to fix it: Separate writing from editing.
Give yourself permission to write badly. Finish the poem first, even if it feels wrong or unfinished. Editing is a different skill that works best after distance. A rough poem can be shaped. An unwritten one cannot.
Making mistakes is not always bad. It allows us to grow and become better at what we do. We learn from our mistakes and become better. The more you write, the better you will become. Just keep writing and don’t let anything come in your way.
