A Short Guide on How to Write a Poem
There is no one way to write a poem. But it is generally understood that to write a good poem, you’ve got to have your creative juices flowing properly. I write a lot of poetry and I have found that the more you write poems, the easier it is to get those juices flowing faster.
First Thought, Best Thought
I am fully in the “first thought, best thought” camp. Originally pioneered by the Beat Generation as a rejection of overly-polished, structure-dependent poetry and also as a way to express different modes of consciousness, “first thought, best thought” is a style most writers find easy to understand, but difficult to put into practice. However, when you take on “first thought, best thought” as practice, it can be almost meditative.
The Basics
Although, before we start, there are some basic tips we should always keep in mind: metaphor, image, and avoiding clichés are key. Poetry is one of the most unique forms of expression, so utilizing clichés will decrease the value of what you have to say; always try to say something new. Metaphors and imagery are obvious tips as well. When I write, I try to feel like I am dancing around the direct words you are trying to say, while still trying to send the same message.
To write a poem, I believe you have to first start by numbing your brain. You have to get rid of all of the nagging parts of your brain that will try to get you to treat every word with intentionality and every line with the hand of a surgeon. You won’t end up writing anything if you are worried about your poem being perfect. Ernest Hemmingway always said, “Write drunk, edit sober,” and this is a good rule of thumb when you are starting to write poetry. You have to get out of your mind to get back in it.
Flow
Calm your mind and then write by hand. This is a crucial part of slowing your mind down to get you into a flow. Writing by hand helps you ensure that you’re slowed down. Most people can type far faster than they can write something out—use this as a tool. Take your time with your words, use your handwriting to find a rhythm and flow for your creating.
Once you have gotten in the practice of getting out of your mind and letting the words come from deep inside you, you can get into that flow more regularly. It should feel like meditation, a methodical way of writing that allows you to let your thoughts pass through you and onto the page.
Headspace
The most important thing in writing is not your environment; it’s your headspace. By creating a calm and unobstructed mind, you make it easier for yourself to create art. You cannot stand in your own way. Once you have finished putting the words down, then you can go back and revise. But you’ll never get to edit if you don’t write something down first.
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About Jessi Quinn Alperin
Jessi Quinn Alperin (they/them) is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. While there, they served as an editor for Forbes & Fifth for two years. Their poetry has been published by 70 Faces and Haunted Zine and they have also had a personal essay published in Twentyhood Magazine and two articles published for Environmental Health News. Jessi previously self-published a collection of poetry they had written between 2013-2017. They are currently a Social Justice Springboard Fellow for Oberlin College’s Hillel.