How to Write a Life Poem

Describe your experience in words.

Art comes from life. Even when the connection between the two is indirect or tenuous at best, something from our living, breathing experience finds a way into what we write no matter what. Poems can address all aspects of life, ranging from love and joy to grief and suffering. Many poems also seek to give life lessons or wisdom, or to comment on a particular aspect of or difficulty in the poet's own life experience. Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" is a good example of this type of poem.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

Writing The Poem

1. 

   Sometimes it's hard to choose a direction.

   Think of a crossroads you have come to at some point in your life. Write down the situation as you remember it, brainstorming what was at stake for you, what you were going toward or leaving behind, and any other factors that made the decision difficult.

2. 

   Find subjects in the natural world.

   Think of a situation or action in the natural world that embodies the type of conflict or decision you faced. You will use this as an extended metaphor.

3. 

   Disagreements are inevitable.

   On a new sheet of paper, in poetic lines, describe this action or situation in nature beginning in the midst of the conflict. As you write, keep in mind your description, your word choice, and your line breaks.

4. 

   Give your opinion.

   Conclude the natural conflict so that it conveys the lesson you intend to communicate about this life experience. At the end of the poem, as Frost does in "The Road Not Taken," you could "diverge" from description to make a comment on the situation, its nature, its value or difficulties.

5. 

   Edit your work.

   When you have finished, go back and edit for word choices, awkward lines or vague descriptions. Give your poem a title.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you start writing, read some poetry you admire. This will inspire you and help generate ideas.

References

• Poets.Org: The Road Not Taken

Resources

• Poetry Foundation: Poems: Cycle of Life