An Idiot's Guide To Writing Poetry

Well, there are many who've defined poetry, ranging from romantics to cynics, to realists to imaginists (if there is any school of thought like that), and each person has defined poetry differently from the other (not necessarily for copyright protection). It's just that poetry is such as important part of literature, of every kind, age, event...it is something that inspires men to great actions, laments their failures, and enshrines their hopes. Besides, the ladies (many of them, that is) have a thing for poets! 

I started writing poetry out of some odd reason; I didn't exactly know what it was. Then I realized it was a form of expression, a medium. Whichever idea didn't fit in prose or sketches, found its way in poetry; and a simple sketch could inspire a poem. 

So, having given my take on poetry, here's a guide to writing simple (& complex) poetry to, well, um, give expression to your ideas...but, I can't promise if it'll make the ladies swoon...

Here goes:

1. Decide what kind of a poet you want to be: cynic, romantic etc. there are many. The classification is never written in stone, but while writing a particular piece, make sure you get your perspective right. Never be bound in ideologies, but do justice to your thoughts.

2. Decide what type of poem you want to write: free-verse, ballad, short, long. Never compromise on ideas; let your thoughts keep flowing, write whatever comes to your mind, if it rhymes, or doesn't rhyme...it's more important to keep the 'flow' alive. 

3. Figures of speech: Ignore them. Never write poetry after thinking about the figures of speech, that's for English literature students. In my experience (whatever little I have) poets never give much attention to figures of speech; they're always seen in retrospection. The only thing you need to work on is alliteration, especially the long verses (Eg: V's introduction in "V For Vendetta"). Always keep a dictionary handy, and never get bound by styles, keep your mind free.

4. Poetic License: a friend of mine introduced me to this term. It means, all frills apart, you can write something that makes sense, without it making sense grammatically. Like "the a life of conformance" (OK, that is a word, but it's more effective than 'conformity'. Um, get the point?)

5. Profoundness in the pointless: 'Cat sat on a mat.' Most people would consider that absurd, and some even downright hilarious (what, don't you see the humour!?). This is 'profoundness', something that only veterans can comprehend. So, point in case, leave it to the English lit guys to discover the 'profoundness'.

6. Get yourself a muse. Someone who inspires your work, someone you admire, and respect. This doesn't amount to staring at people you have a crush on under the pretext of 'being inspired'. Always respect your muse. It's extremely unprofessional not to do so (who am I to say so? Whose note are you reading, eh?)

7. Watch 'Dead Poet's Society' and be inspired. Absorb everything that Robin Williams says, it's like the revelation for poets (wannabe and veterans). It's not about poetry, it's about life; an attitude, an outlook. I'm mentioning this as the last point simply because if I hadn't then you wouldn't have read this note! 

I'd just like to say that I'm not poking fun at English Literature; I just find their ways a little, how can I say, orthodox.

Then again, that's what poetry is about, breaking the orthodoxy. Your poetry is a part of you, never do injustice to it! Never be bound by styles...create your own art, define yourself....