Why Do You Write Poetry?

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

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Image credit: writingforward.com

Why do you write poetry? Is it an act of self-expression? Do you write it to connect with your readers or just for something to fill up your blog?

Do you feel like there is something deeply personal when a writer is able to knit some words together with metaphors, similes, and a few rhythmic syllables? Does it thrill you to get the syllable count of your Haiku, Senryu, or Haibun to fit into the perfect expression of your artistic ability? Me too!

Good poetry should provoke thoughts and feelings in the reader by speaking to some kind of thought or idea that you aren’t afraid to talk about. Pay attention to the sounds your words make through diction and syntax. Use your word choice to create strong images. Always use clear, memorable words to get your point across.

Remember, poetry is subjective. Your words can have contrasting meanings to different people because it depends on their interpretations, moods, or perceptions.

Writing poetry is creating a special kind of magic with words that touch the hearts of your readers. We write poetry to look at things in a different way!

 

 

GeniusWhy do you write poetry?

 

84 thoughts on “Why Do You Write Poetry?”

  1. Love this Colleen!
    Initially I wrote poetry because I loved to find a rhythm, and rhyming words.
    Then slowly I learned to experiment with different forms, and realised that there were so many ways to express yourself, poetically!
    Sometimes my poems are lighthearted, or just off the cuff, spurred on by prompt words, but sometimes, they have a deeply personal meaning too, possibly outlining my feelings at the time of writing.
    There are times I write something and the feedback I get, the insight others give to it, amazes me too!
    I never knew what I wrote could resonate so much with others!
    I do love a good poem!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. You love to sing, also. That rhyming is part of you and is reflected in your words. You have such quick wit with the rhyming (I finally got your book read – review forthcoming on Monday). My brain doesn’t work like that… LOL! Your poetry rolls out all full of emotions and love. ❤

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      1. Aw bless you Colleen and thank you so much for your words. I find words bubble up inside all of a sudden and I have to just write them!

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        1. I love your description! Yes, it is like that. The same for the flash fiction. We creatives need that outlet! ❤

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    1. Maybe it’s the breaking down into the simplest terms with no mess that appeals to us poets. The brevity of the words will have to have an impact. Now, you know you should join in my challenge. You’re always welcome. ❤

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    1. It’s the word play isn’t it? I love the challenge too… I must read more of your limericks… LOL! 😀

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    1. I’m off to read it! I was pleasantly surprised by your poetry and it is excellent! ❤

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  7. I love the Maya Angelou quotation, Colleen.
    Writing poetry is my creative outlet. I do a lot of other writing–books on history, sexuality, gender, and test writing. But poetry is my way of de-stressing, and in a way, it helps me make sense of my world and the world. Of course, I hope that people enjoy it, and I would love to publish and reach a wider audience, but even if that doesn’t happen, I would still write.

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    1. It is a deeply satisfying endeavor. I love hearing what poetry writing means to everyone. It seems to fill a space inside of all of us. ❤

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  8. Because it’s fun! It always me to express myself in a new way. There is a power in the brevity of poems that excites me. I’d love to publish an anthology of poems and maybe one day I will.:)

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    1. I love the excitement you get from creating something lovely with words and sounds. You certainly should do that poetry anthology, Marje. ❤

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    1. Poetry has so much to do with the selection of just the right words. I would say you have elevated our challenge to new artistic heights with the addition of your art work. I look forward to each week to see what you will share. ❤

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      1. Thanks Colleen. Nina and I are taking another break to deal with the new year, but hope to be back before too long. I always enjoy your challenges and also seeing how others respond to them.

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  11. Yes, yes, and yes to all of the above. I love weaving words and syllables that make me think, and hopefully move others to come to their own conclusions. ❤

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    1. It’s a connection with the words and syllables isn’t it. I love the structured poems but suck at writing rhyming sonnets, etc. ❤

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  12. I write poetry because I cannot not write poetry. I love the Japanese forms especially…the connection to nature, the wabi sabi, the words specific to seasons, for example kisame which means rain that drips from tree branches. I have been writing classic haiku (not the 5-7-5 stuff) for 30+ years and always find something new.

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    1. How nice to hear from you. I have not attempted the traditional Haiku because of the language barrier. I follow the English forms and like you feel closer to nature. I like the structure of the syllables. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. ❤

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    1. Exactly. It’s the word play and getting your thoughts across in new ways – that is definitely magic! ❤

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    1. LOL! My sentiments, too! Poetry seems to fill a hole for many of us that bursts with creativity and word play. How cool is that? ❤

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  16. Writing poetry, especially Haiku, has become an end in itself for me. I love words and choosing an unusual one to create an image. I love the feel and sound of meter and the way that lines are different when the same words are placed in a different order. I was amazed recently when one of my Haiku was read three different ways by three people and I learned something new. Thanks for asking.

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    1. It’s interesting how writing poetry seems to fill a special place in us all. Needless to say it is fulfilling. I too have noticed that our words can be taken many different ways. I’ve been emphasizing the use of synonyms because it seems to give a more definite meaning to our poetry. Hugs for sharing your thoughts. We all learn so much together. ❤

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  17. I find poetry to be the most mysterious of the literary arts. I don’t write poems the way I used to, but when I did they were bursts of pure expression that I left unchanged, the exact opposite of the deliberate and painstaking way I write fiction and drama.
    I also remember hearing that poetry is the mathematics of literature, the playwright Robert Anderson said that to John Steinbeck when Steinbeck was going through a spell of writer’s block.

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    1. You know, I think you and Steinbeck are on to something. Poetry creativity uses a different part of your brain. I don’t know this for sure, but I believe it. Fiction writing is a different out-pouring of the soul. I love the poetry forms of Haiku, Senryu, Haibun, and Tanka because of the syllable count. Now, this will sound crazy, but I crochet doilies with thread because it’s all in the counting of stitches. There is something in that counting that soothes and fires up my imagination. We humans must need that creative outlet. ❤️

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  21. Because. And because risking with words is such goddamn fun–not always harmless, and when the risk pays off–exaltation.

    And because, exaltation or not, those who read or hear the experiment and myself sing in the same exhalation.

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    1. Well said! You are welcome to join in my weekly poetry challenge held each Tuesday, if you’re interested. ❤

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  22. I love this post! Thank you! I write as an outlet for my emotions, thoughts and life inspirations. It has been brought to my attention that I love couplets. I then realized, that is just the way it flows for me. Thank you for this thought provoking post!

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    1. Hi Phoenix, I like the way you think! It’s interesting how we find certain poetry forms that speak for us. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I love it! ❤

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  23. OOooh, so interesting. I write because I have to. So, that it gives me a semblance of sanity. It helps me get through the worst. but the idea that pops into my mind sometimes get so strong, i sit down and pen. This inspired me, loved it so much. Thank you. Would you like to go through my verses?

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          1. I have never liked haiku and as such poetry before, i will try, no guarantee 😀 I love brevity tho… Umm, will all prompt be on tanka and haiku?

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  26. I write poetry because I grew up in a life of pain and abandonment, and the tears felt a lot easier with ink. So poetry saved Me from a great deal of sadness.❤⚡ So that’s why I write poetry..

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    1. Oh, man! I’m sorry. I grew up much the same way. It’s taken years to let go of the pain and find the joy. May you find peace through your writing and the strength to let the horrible stuff go! ❤

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    2. I began writing poetry at the age of 9 and it too was because I grew up in a home that greatly lacked emotional health. Because I was raised to be seen and not heard poetry allowed me to express the person that was gravely suppressed.

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      1. Writing poetry is a healing of sorts, isn’t it? I’m amazed at all the writers and poets who have sought solace through poetry. Bravo, to you. I bet you are a stronger person for finding that emotional outlet. ❤

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  29. Poetry allows us to say exactly what we feel in the most coherent way possible..which sometimes isn’t all that coherent haha. For me, it is the voice of my soul, or higher self. Often we can say how we truly feel in very few words and poetry lets that happen.

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    1. Well said. I do agree that poetry comes from our higher soul who we allow to speak. I couldn’t agree with you more. ❤

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    1. Beautiful sentiments. Do you feel better after sharing your thoughts? ❤️

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    1. LOL! Actually, I took off the YA… most of my readers are older, which I quite like. Welcome. I’m glad you’r enjoying the visit. You’ve made my day! ❤

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