Category: poetry

Monday poetry

Monday Poetry

Poem

Writing Friday

Writing. Crap. What do I say? Do I sit here and try to explain that, at least for me, writing is something akin to breathing? That there’s never been a time when I didn’t need to put words together? And then I would have to tell you just how it feels to read what I wrote and think that I am not cut out for this. How many people who I know personally who are brilliant at this whole writing gig. Still… I would have to mention that the idea of stopping is actually painful. It has been how I was able to see the answers to life, since before I ever realized that there was a question.

Usually, I try to use the Friday post to give tips, and help with the whole writing and publishing thing. And I think that is great to keep the blog going… But today I was thinking about the reason why I write. Yeah… I could probably claim that I was trying to add beauty. But I don’t generally lie. My art is more how I do beauty. Abstract and pencil drawings to encourage happiness in the eye of the beholder. My children’s books are a way of connecting with my daughter, as they have thus far been stories I told her, or wrote for her. Serena’s stuff is stories that I want to read. But if I am honest with myself… My main writing is my poetry.

My poetry will never be hallmark stuff. My poetry is raw emotion and survival. I have lived a survivors life. My poetry is how I have been able to express myself even when my voice was stolen. I could write my story… Even though I was being told I lied. I could write it and it was accepted because it was poetry. It was written in a way that meant I was non-threatening to those who were part of hurting me. And it was written off as just an angsty teen writing depressing poetry… For don’t we all have that stage?

After I was free, and I was no longer needing verse to speak my truth, well it was still the easiest way to speak my pain. To spread my views. It was habit. I may never be able to sit along with the likes of Poe or Dickenson… But my words will remain. I will be there when another lost soul seeks to know that they are not alone.

The Pen – Patricia Harris

https://wp.me/paET8V-b7

Monday poetry and lots

Monday Poetry

Monday Poetry

Writing poetry

So, In preparation for this post… I searched Pinterest looking for ideas for what to tell you about writing poetry. I found a lot of technical information. And if you need that sort of thing it is easily found on Google. I didn’t want to be just another person telling you what you can easily find.

Instead, I think that I will talk about the stupid stuff that seems to be overlooked. The stuff that I had to learn. Yes, you don’t have to listen. Can you ignore this? Sure. It is just what I have picked up in a lifetime of poetry.

  1. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to follow rules with poetry! Poetic license is a thing… However, I have found that you should at least know what the rules are. Still, poetry is the truest expression of who you are.
  2. Punctuation. When the reader is reading the poem, punctuation tells them when to pause. This increases the impact of the poem.
  3. Don’t be afraid to try new styles. I write free verse most often. However, that is not all of what I have written. It is good to challenge yourself to do more technical styles so your writing can grow.
  4. Write at least one per day. The more you write, the easier it becomes.
  5. Don’t be afraid of rejection. The other day I recieved one and a friend consoled me. What he said really resonates with me. He said that the lit magazine that I had submitted to was not good enough for my poems. You can have amazing poetry and the places that you submit to will not accept sometimes. It happens to all of us.
  6. You are the best writer that your poetry can have. You will know when it is done and what words to use.
  7. Spelling is important. Misspelled words and a lot of archaic words make the poem look unprofessional. Same thing with a bunch of slang(ie bae, yeet, on fleek) as these words are often not understood by everyone.
  8. Imagery is so important… However it is quite possible to do poetry with out similes or metaphor. It merely requires better imagery in the poem itself.
  9. Not everyone actually likes poetry. Seriously, it is such a wonderful form of expression… But there is people who just dislike it. Some because of how poetry makes them feel. Some because it seems too intellectual to them. That is okay. Your reader is not those people, even if they are people whom you love.
  10. You don’t have to share unless you want to. Poetry is often such a personal thing. Sharing feels vulnerable. So if you just wanna write for you? It is perfectly fine.

If you decide to write, and you decide to share.. Email me. I will be featuring the best on my Monday poetry posts.

Insomnia attacks

Since I am sleep deprived and have no spoons to spare… Here is some poetry to make up for the lack of a post.