How to Write A Short Poem
Poetry represents one of the most accessible forms of writing. Composing a long-form poem requires a level of skill, but writing short poetry can be done by a poet laureate or a sixth-grade student. Whether it consists of a few sentences or a few words, a good, short poem describes a portrait of what you see, hear or imagine and requires no more than a burst of creativity. A short poem can be a stanza or even three words, as exhibited in "Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes," most commonly attributed to American poet Strickland Gillilan. This purportedly is the world's shortest poem, which reads: "Adam/Had 'em."
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Instructions
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Pick a topic that interests you and with which you are well-acquainted, such as a favorite relative, landmark, pet or article of clothing. Begin by describing the person, item or event in your notebook. Focus on minute details that make the item distinctive and use as few descriptive words as possible to help keep the poem short.
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Try using rhymes or alliteration in your description, though good, short poetry requires neither. Include adjectives that build off the senses, such as a description of a flowery or bitter smell, the feel of scratchy texture or a tickle, the taste of something that might be sweet or sour and the sound of something that might be room-rattling or hard to hear.
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Set your writing down for a few hours after you've completed a draft. To gain fresh perspective, revisit your poem after a long walk or a nap.
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Read your draft aloud to determine whether your short poem of four sentences or fewer conveys a feeling or vivid description that might captivate a friend. Listen for a sense of rhythm that might help the words and lines to flow easily when spoken out loud.
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Revise your work until you're satisfied you have used the most colorful and illustrative words possible to give life to your topic. Compose a title for your poem after you've established its content, keying in on a major theme or an important phrase.
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Tips & Warnings
To grasp how you can convey a lot with few words, read numerous examples of short poetry, including Ezra Pound's "In a Station of the Metro" or the more contemporary "Turning Eighty: A Birthday Poem" by David Ferry.
Consider making a drawing of your descriptions, which can help give your mind clarity and improve your poem.
If the words and phrases simply aren't coming, set your project aside for a few hours or perhaps a day or two to rid yourself of writer's block.
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Resources
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