1. Imagery: Use words to help readers see, hear, or feel what you’re describing. The more vivid, the better.

• • Instead of saying, “The night was dark,” try “A velvet blanket covered the moon.”
  • “Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul…” – Emily Dickinson
  • “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…” – Robert Frost

2. Rhythm: Poetry often has a natural flow or beat. It doesn’t have to rhyme, but it should sound smooth and intentional when read aloud.

• • Compare these lines:
    • “The cat sat on the mat.” (simple rhythm)
    • “Silently, the cat crouched on the thick, braided mat.” (more complex rhythm)
  • “I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o’er vales and hills…” – William Wordsworth

3. Emotion: The heart of any poem lies in the feelings it conveys. Whether it’s joy, sadness, wonder, or frustration, let your emotions guide your words.

• • “Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” – W.B. Yeats
  • “I carry your heart with me (I carry it in / my heart)” – E.E. Cummings
  • “She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies” – Lord Byron

4. Structure: Poems come in all shapes and sizes. You might enjoy the brevity of haikus, the elegance of sonnets, or the freedom of free verse. Experiment and see what feels right for you.

• • Haiku:
    A lone leaf falls down
    Whispering its soft goodbye
    Winter chills the air
  • Sonnets: William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 opens with, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate.”
  • Free Verse: Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass offers vivid imagery and emotion without rhyme or fixed meter: “I loaf and invite my soul, / I lean and loaf at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.”

5. Word Choice: Choose words that pack a punch. A single strong verb or adjective can transform your poem.

• • “She walked slowly” becomes “She wandered.”
  • “The flowers were pretty” becomes “The blossoms blazed with color.”
  • “She walked slowly” becomes “She wandered.”
  • “The flowers were pretty” becomes “The blossoms blazed with color.”
  • “In the room the women come and go / Talking of Michelangelo…” – T.S. Eliot

1. Create a List Poem

Pick a theme, like “Things I Love” or “What Brings Me Joy.” Write short lines that fit your theme.

Example Theme: Winter

• • Cold winds whisper secrets
  • Snowflakes dance in the air
  • Hot cocoa hugs my hands
  • Frost paints the windows

Your Turn: Choose a theme and write 5–8 lines that fit.

2. Use Your Senses

Good poetry invites readers to experience the world through the senses. Think about how something looks, sounds, smells, feels, or tastes, and weave those details into your poem.

Example: The Beach

• • I see the sun sparkling on the waves
  • I hear the crash of the surf and the laughter of children
  • I feel the gritty sand between my toes

Your Turn: Write about a favorite place, using at least three senses.

3. Word Association

Pick a word—any word! Write it at the top of your page and jot down everything it makes you think of. Then shape your thoughts into a short poem.

Example Word: Star

• • Far away, a diamond glows
  • Lighting up the night’s black canvas
  • A wish carries my dreams to you

Your Turn: Start with a word like “tree,” “dream,” or “sunshine.”

4. Write a Haiku

Haikus are short, structured poems that follow this pattern:

• • Line 1: 5 syllables
  • Line 2: 7 syllables
  • Line 3: 5 syllables

Example:
A lone leaf falls down
Whispering its soft goodbye
Winter chills the air

Your Turn: Write a haiku about nature, seasons, or a favorite moment.

5. Revise and Reimagine

Take a simple line and make it more vivid. Start with something plain and see how far you can take it.

• • Start with: “The flowers bloomed.”
  • Add detail: “The flowers opened slowly, petals stretching to greet the morning sun.”
  • Push further: “Petals unfurled like a painter’s brush, streaking the garden with wild color.”

Your Turn: Take one line and write two or three versions, each more descriptive than the last.

Write a short poem (4-6 lines) about a favorite memory. Use at least one sensory detail and one strong image. Then, share it with a friend or family member. See how they react—poetry is meant to connect!