When writing a poem–whether in free verse or in meter, there’s a technique that is commonly used to keep the lines moving. “Enjambment” in poetry is when a line feeds directly into the next one. As the poem is read, the end of a line flows effortlessly into the beginning of the one following it […]

Meter is what gives a poem its rhythm, or its songlike cadence. There are two things that create metered poetry: Poets such as William Shakespeare, John Keats, and Edgar Allen Poe used meter in their poems. If you’ve read metered poetry, then it probably “sounds” more like a poem to you. That’s because the pattern is […]

If you don’t have some understanding of what metered poetry is, then the idea of free verse poetry won’t feel as liberating to you. It might help if I compare it something. Imagine a sewing pattern. Patterns are meant to be cut and used precisely as they are; they are pre-designed with measured specifications. That’s […]

Writing poetry can have many benefits for the person willing to engage the process. So, when we ask the question “Why should we write poetry?” there are many ways to answer it. We can use it to express strong emotions, tell mini-stories, and describe something inspiring or just downright interesting. Writing poetry can also give […]

A poem holds a structure that is visible to its audience. And when the lines are read aloud, the words should sit well together–one after another–creating a pleasant sound. This sound appeals to the reader in a different way than prose does. Even though some poets vary their creation of poetry and have adopted different […]