06-08-2010, 01:46 PM
I do pretty much what Billy says - I start with a word/line, or I hold on to an image and strip it down. For people who are new to poetry, though, I'd suggest a fill-in-the blanks concentration exercise. For example:
(Word) is the (description)
It lives (describe its home)
When I am with (Word), it (describe what it does to you)
If I can say one thing to (Word), I would say (sentence with quotation marks)
That doesn't make a poem, but it DOES help the imagination, especially if you choose a simple but unexpected word. For example:
Shame is the landlady demanding my rent.
It lives around the corner, at near the edge of my left eye.
When I am with Shame, my ribs claw into my organs.
If I can say one thing to Shame, I would say "I paid more than enough."
I hope this helps you get started with the creative process.
(Word) is the (description)
It lives (describe its home)
When I am with (Word), it (describe what it does to you)
If I can say one thing to (Word), I would say (sentence with quotation marks)
That doesn't make a poem, but it DOES help the imagination, especially if you choose a simple but unexpected word. For example:
Shame is the landlady demanding my rent.
It lives around the corner, at near the edge of my left eye.
When I am with Shame, my ribs claw into my organs.
If I can say one thing to Shame, I would say "I paid more than enough."
I hope this helps you get started with the creative process.