Writing Your Own Poetry
The most popular style of our time is the ‘free verse’ style. This form originated in the late 19th century, with Walt Whitman being credited for it. Before this form was introduced, poetry was restricted to certain form.
Scansion is the analyzing of pattern, rhyme and meter in formal poetry. Commonly, a letter is placed at the end of the last word in each line. Usually starting with A then B and so on….
If the first two lines rhyme with each other, we would place an A at the end of each line. If the third and fourth line rhyme with each other but not the first two, we would place a B at the end of each. The pattern would be AABB. If the fifth line rhymes with either, we would place an A, or B appropriately. If it does not rhyme, a C would be used.
The number of beats in each line is called the meter. “Iambic pentameter” is the most commonly used. Words with this type of beat consist of a short pulse followed by a strong pulse. Examples would be arrest, domain, forsooth, etc. The accent is on the second syllable.
Time for the fun stuff! When you tell stories or write letters, how do you start? Is it maybe something you overheard, or read about? Or maybe something you witnessed? Start with something that is comfortable to you.
What type of poem did you have in mind? A Story? A comment? Or could it be a character study? Go through some examples to help get you started off on the right foot. It is common to get what is called “writer’s block”. If this happens, take a break, or come back to it the next day. If your out and something comes to you, jot it down.
It may take many weeks or months to get your poem finished. If your having trouble, take a break. When you come back, carry on from the last line in your poem. You will be delighted at what comes out.
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