How to Write an Imagist Poem

Imagism is a movement of poetry founded by a group of American ex-patriot poets in England during the early 20th century. Imagist poetry uses crisp, descriptive, metaphorical language to reach a clear expression without sentiment. Poets such as Ezra Pound, Hilda Doolittle, Richard Aldington, and William Carlos Williams were all founders and proponents of the Imagist movement.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read some early poetry by Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams. In particular, pay attention to a poem by Williams called "The Red Wheelbarrow," and notice its precise imagery and economy of words. If you can, find a copy of "Des Imagistes," the anthology of Imagist poetry compiled by Pound in 1914. (You may have to search a library, as the anthology is currently out of print.)

2. Focus on an object that you are going to describe. This could an everyday object, such as the wheelbarrow described by Williams, or it could be a larger object or concept, such as the city described by Langston Hughes in his poem "The City."

3. List some things that could be like or remind you of that object. Your intent is to metaphorically describe this object without referring to it explicitly. Try to avoid description that sounds too pastoral or emotional.

4. Write your poem. Remember that good Imagist poetry is economical, whether it is short or long. An Imagist poem is often written in free verse, although some can rhyme. Decide whether a rhyme scheme would help or hinder the expression of the poem.

5. Evaluate your poem. Make sure that each line is direct, clear, and does not overtly sympathize with or romanticize the object at hand. A good Imagist poem will seem like an Impressionist painting, with everything broken down into its essentials.