A List of Poetry DOs and DON'Ts

[Angeline]

DO:

1) above all, try to be original (by all means be imitative of poetry you think is good. ‘voice,’ and originality, develop over time).

2) be clear

3) be economical

4) value ease of expression

5) be monosyllabic whenever possible

6) read poetry often

7) read the Chinese masters often

8) write poetry often

9) accept constructive criticism well, even when it is harsh


DON’T:

1) rhyme or write form poetry, unless:

....... a) you are just writing for fun, in which case you can do anything you please

....... b) you are experienced and convinced your writing has improved far beyond that of a novice

2) write dishonestly (meaning, don’t let content be a slave to form)

3) moralize

4) rely on abstraction

5) capitalize the beginning of every line

6) write like no poetry has been written on earth since Wordsworth

7) let anyone convince you a certain word (such as ‘love’, or ‘heart’, or even the infamous ‘gossamer’) is automatically bad or clichéd and should never be used. all words are potentially legitimate. cliché is not determined by a word, but by the words that surround it. – there are no bad words, only bad poets.

8) write poetry about pagan gods and goddesses (this is a pet peeve of mine, since said writing can obviously be done well. it just usually isn’t)

9) be pointlessly cruel or pointlessly laudatory when giving opinion on another’s poetry. be nice but be true.

Some excellent advice here, Jersey boy.

I think I finally understand your argument against form poetry. I feel the same about your number 8 "don't." And I think the same applies to erotic poetry, especially (my pet peeve) BDSM erotic poetry. So much of it is really bad (really really bad--and I probably feel that way from being here so long). People need to read Anais Nin and Kim Addonizio and Eve and Anna and Tristesse and well you know what I mean. Read good erotic poetry and think about why it's good, and then try to write some!

 

[bflagsst]

Form poetry is good training ground. You should probably write prose before poetry though. Get rid of as much cliche as possible. Going right to free verse is a mess. So I disagree with the no form poetry. If you wanna write poetry you should understand/be able to write in at least a few. Anyway, people who begin writing poetry probably aren't writing for publication, how they gonna go from a. to b. without structure?

 

[Tzara]

I am sorely, sorely tempted to write a bad erotic rhyming BDSM form poem about pagan gods that includes the words "gossamer," "ghoulish," and "Frankenstein" and which capitalizes the start of each line:

Then Fasolt, his great Frost-Giant fist
Thrust into Freia's cunt.
The goddess screamed, though through the gag
It came out more like grunt.

The violation tore her will
(Like gossamer, it was).
She knelt and thrust her ass in air.
Here, Æsir found their baas.

Then Fasolt, ghoulish Frankenstein,
His dripping fist did pump,
Began this fairest áss, his slave,
Her cushy rump to hump.​

I'd throw in Sylvia Plath's head in an azure oven and write a section of prose poetry as well, if I could figure out how to do it.

But then someone might make some mildly critical comment and I would have to collapse in tears.

I have only two rules:

1. DO write what you want, for whatever reasons make sense to you.
2. DON'T be afraid to be bad.

All my other rules can be drived from these two.



P.S.: Happy birthday, Anna.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

I am sorely, sorely tempted to write a bad erotic rhyming BDSM form poem about pagan gods that includes the words "gossamer," "ghoulish," and "Frankenstein" and which capitalizes the start of each line

Aha! Our resident rebel and curmudgeon returns.......who owes me a PM BTW.

 

[bflagsst]

"Then Fasolt, ghoulish Frankenstein,
His dripping fist did pump,
Began this fairest áss, his slave,
Her cushy rump to hump."

Gold. print it.

Wait, who said no pagan gods and goddesses?

 

[UnderYourSpell]

Oiiiiiii I'm the only one allowed to get huffy!

 

[Tzara]

Aha! Our resident rebel and curmudgeon returns.......who owes me a PM BTW.

I think I'm more of a mudcurgeon, actually.

 

[TheRainMan]

Then Fasolt, his great Frost-Giant fist
Thrust into Freia's cunt.
The goddess screamed, though through the gag
It came out more like grunt.

The violation tore her will
(Like gossamer, it was).
She knelt and thrust her ass in air.
Here, Æsir found their baas.

Then Fasolt, ghoulish Frankenstein,
His dripping fist did pump,
Began this fairest áss, his slave,
Her cushy rump to hump.​

as akin to crossword puzzle architecture as poetry, old friend.

you sure know how to write poetry, when you're not cranky or advocating for the devil, you curmudgeon you.

hey, man. so sorry to say i had to cancel my Centrum residency out your way in April . . . life conspires . . . i'm going to miss the peninsula in the spring. have a beer for me in The Public House if you get to Port T. -- Alaskan amber.

 

[Tzara]

as akin to crossword puzzle architecture as poetry, old friend.

you sure know how to write poetry, when you're not cranky or advocating for the devil, you curmudgeon you.

Why does everybody think I write better as a girl? Sorry, woman?

I'm always cranky and believe no more in the devil than in god, Bucky. You should know that.

If I wrote a romance novel as Min would Oprah boost it? I need the cash.

hey, man. so sorry to say i had to cancel my Centrum residency out your way in April . . . life conspires . . . i'm going to miss the peninsula in the spring. have a beer for me in The Public House if you get to Port T. -- Alaskan amber.

Alaskan Amber. 'K. I'm on it.

Be well, Eastie.

 

[Safe_Bet]

DO: accept constructive criticism well, even when it is harsh

DON'T: Don't be harsh PERIOD. Constructive criticism is your OPINION. Unless specifically requested by the poet, constructive criticism should not be thrown in anyone's face to prove your "poetic superiority" or eons of experience. (If I want it I'll ask for it. Otherwise I'm writing it for FUN, so get off my back.)

DON'T: ) rhyme or write form poetry, unless:

....... a) you are just writing for fun, in which case you can do anything you please

....... b) you are experienced and convinced your writing has improved far beyond that of a novice

2) write dishonestly (meaning, don’t let content be a slave to form)

DO: Rhyme your ass off. Rhyme ever word in the whole damn poem if you want to. Write some REALLY Gawd AWFUL rhyming poetry that, when you look at it a week later, you groan and dash off to vomit! You only get better by doing it. If other people don't like it just smile - (as you think to yourself: Egotistical people are just trying to "compensate" for a small dick or not having a prom date in high school or sumthin )

I have only two rules:

1. DO write what you want, for whatever reasons make sense to you.
2. DON'T be afraid to be bad.

All my other rules can be drived from these two.

Tz just said what I meant WAY better than I did.

(You rock, dude!)

 

[WickedEve]

DO: Rhyme your ass off. Rhyme ever word in the whole damn poem if you want to. Write some REALLY Gawd AWFUL rhyming poetry that, when you look at it a week later, you groan and dash off to vomit! You only get better by doing it. If other people don't like it just smile - (as you think to yourself: Egotistical people are just trying to "compensate" for a small dick or not having a prom date in high school or sumthin )

Yeah, sure rhyme your ass off, but if you're doing some serious submitting of your poetry, then think twice about it. Some poets can successfully rhyme and do form poetry, the rest end up with some pretty bad poetry, though it's good for the learning process, like you said.

 

[WickedEve]

DON'T: Don't be harsh PERIOD. Constructive criticism is your OPINION. Unless specifically requested by the poet, constructive criticism should not be thrown in anyone's face to prove your "poetic superiority" or eons of experience. (If I want it I'll ask for it. Otherwise I'm writing it for FUN, so get off my back.)

Oops, gotta comment on this, too. Sure, you don't have to be harsh with feedback, but RainMan is saying to accept whatever comments you get. You can usually find something constructive in them, even if you don't see it the first time around.

 

[Angeline]

DON'T: Don't be harsh PERIOD. Constructive criticism is your OPINION. Unless specifically requested by the poet, constructive criticism should not be thrown in anyone's face to prove your "poetic superiority" or eons of experience. (If I want it I'll ask for it. Otherwise I'm writing it for FUN, so get off my back.)



DO: Rhyme your ass off. Rhyme ever word in the whole damn poem if you want to. Write some REALLY Gawd AWFUL rhyming poetry that, when you look at it a week later, you groan and dash off to vomit! You only get better by doing it. If other people don't like it just smile - (as you think to yourself: Egotistical people are just trying to "compensate" for a small dick or not having a prom date in high school or sumthin )




Tz just said what I meant WAY better than I did.

(You rock, dude!)

Eh, I agree with you about the harsh criticism. And I've been saying that for years. I've earned my way as an editor for a long time, and the first rule is "you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar." People don't want to make changes when the editor is being a dick about it. And when I'm getting paid to edit, authors don't want to pay to be abused (well unless there's some other dynamic going on lol, but I don't do that for a living).

On the other hand, you don't do anyone any favor if all you do is praise their poems. But there are kind ways to say something isn't working. However, when I get critique from people that I think is less than kind, I still try to learn from it. Otherwise all I did was take some abuse, and what's the point of that?

We've been lucky here for the most part. Aside from trolly remarks here and there, most people try to be fair when they review imo. The one-bombing is another story, but I doubt that'll ever change here. Oh well.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

<clip>...I have only two rules:

1. DO write what you want, for whatever reasons make sense to you.
   
2. DON'T be afraid to be bad.

Then someone might make some mildly critical comment and we would all collapse in tears.

Fair warning.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Yeah, sure rhyme your ass off, but if you're doing some serious submitting of your poetry, then think twice about it. Some poets can successfully rhyme and do form poetry, the rest end up with some pretty bad poetry, though it's good for the learning process, like you said.

Oops, gotta comment on this, too. Sure, you don't have to be harsh with feedback, but RainMan is saying to accept whatever comments you get. You can usually find something constructive in them, even if you don't see it the first time around.

Eve’s Peeves

No rhyme
on her dime.
Wasted time.

Poetry hack?
Whack attack.
No slack, Aflac!

So, say tata
to kumbaya
persona nongrata.

 

[hmmnmm]

try not to spend too much time in your car so it becomes your world, unless that's the best you have to live in, in which case at least try to get in a few walks in the park or a drive out in the country. and if someone comes along who looks like they live in their car and they offer you a ride, don't do it.

 

[annaswirls]

Anna's kisses fell like gossamer
upon her children's gossamer heads
if only the little nuggets would fall
as soundly in their snug, gossamer beds
.

oh my gosh, I actually like it. The overuse of the word works.

the worst poem ever. did we have a contest for that? should.

 

[annaswirls]

I have only two rules:

1. DO write what you want, for whatever reasons make sense to you.
2. DON'T be afraid to be bad.

All my other rules can be drived from these two.



P.S.: Happy birthday, Anna.

Thank you, Tzed. I miss you. You are smart. (I use small words.)

 

[annaswirls]

criticism

Don't waste your time trying to give someone kind or harsh constructive criticism if they do not want it. It will not do anyone any good, and there are plenty of people who are dying for your time.

Even the kindest criticism will be taken personally by some. Find out who they are and stay away.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

oh my gosh, I actually like it. The overuse of the word works.

the worst poem ever. did we have a contest for that? should.

We did have one for writing nonsense ..... as I recall I was very good at it!

 

[DarkAmaranth]

I'm a newbie on these forums, but I write poetry when I have inspiration to and so I thought I'd throw my two penn'orth in lol. I came across a couple of good quotes:

'You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.'
Saul Bellows
(This I have found to be true on some occasions, where the beginnings of a poem have come to me just when I am starting to drift off, but have scribbled down anyway.)

'You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.' Ray Bradbury

Anyway, all the best to all poets out there regardless - write something that you are personally happy with and proud of

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I'm a newbie on these forums, but I write poetry when I have inspiration to and so I thought I'd throw my two penn'orth in lol. I came across a couple of good quotes:

'You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.'
Saul Bellows
(This I have found to be true on some occasions, where the beginnings of a poem have come to me just when I am starting to drift off, but have scribbled down anyway.)

'You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.' Ray Bradbury

Anyway, all the best to all poets out there regardless - write something that you are personally happy with and proud of

Hi there and welcome to this mad bad world

 

[twelveoone]

DO:

1) above all, try to be original (by all means be imitative of poetry you think is good. ‘voice,’ and originality, develop over time).

2) be clear

3) be economical

4) value ease of expression

5) be monosyllabic whenever possible

6) read poetry often

7) read the Chinese masters often

8) write poetry often

9) accept constructive criticism well, even when it is harsh


DON’T:

1) rhyme or write form poetry, unless:

....... a) you are just writing for fun, in which case you can do anything you please

....... b) you are experienced and convinced your writing has improved far beyond that of a novice

2) write dishonestly (meaning, don’t let content be a slave to form)

3) moralize

4) rely on abstraction

5) capitalize the beginning of every line

6) write like no poetry has been written on earth since Wordsworth

7) let anyone convince you a certain word (such as ‘love’, or ‘heart’, or even the infamous ‘gossamer’) is automatically bad or clichéd and should never be used. all words are potentially legitimate. cliché is not determined by a word, but by the words that surround it. – there are no bad words, only bad poets.

8) write poetry about pagan gods and goddesses (this is a pet peeve of mine, since said writing can obviously be done well. it just usually isn’t)

9) be pointlessly cruel or pointlessly laudatory when giving opinion on another’s poetry. be nice but be true.

Do as general practise, take a don't and DO IT, it's a fail safe test.

P.S. Pat I like your #7, because nothing is "automatically bad or clichéd and should never be used."

Let's take #5, this was quite common once, and it can still serve a purpose sometime. (and may be imnpossible to avoid with MS word.It has an effect similiar to enjambment, it just being at the front of the line.

Ages of Life

Euphrates' cities and
Palmyra's streets and you
Forests of columns in the level desert
What are you now?
Your crowns, because
You crossed the boundary
Of breath,
Were taken off
In Heaven's smoke and flame;
But I sit under clouds (each one
Of which has peace) among
The ordered oaks, upon
The deer's heath, and strange
And dead the ghosts of the blessed ones
Appear to me.


Friedrich Hölderlin - translated by
David Constantine
Lines like"
"What are you now?", "You crossed the boundary" "Appear to me."if they appear as units do have a greater emphasis than as the mere end of sentences.

Sorry, Pat, you know I'm a contrarian.

 

[champagne1982]

Do as general practise, take a don't and DO IT, it's a fail safe test.
<snip>
Let's take #5, this was quite common once, and it can still serve a purpose sometime. (and may be imnpossible to avoid with MS word.It has an effect similiar to enjambment, it just being at the front of the line.
<snip>.

The auto-correct function that puts caps on every new line after a break can be turned off!

Yes, that's right. Off. Just expand the menu under the "tools" tab and find AutoCorrect... see? Good.

 

[WickedEve]

Aha! Our resident rebel and curmudgeon returns.......who owes me a PM BTW.

Yes, I see that tz and bijou have both returned. How lovely and expected.