Writing without rules: how to start a poem

By Liz Matthews

If you have trouble writing poetry, try freewriting using Natalie Goldberg’s rules from her wonderful book, Writing Down the Bones. Write for ten minutes without stopping, crossing out, or looking over what you’ve written. Use a timer and write whatever comes to mind during this exercise. Do not worry if you repeat yourself. The idea is to let go of your rational, orderly voice and to reach deep into your imagination. Remember that this is just the freewriting stage; you will have plenty of time later on to rearrange, add on, delete, or substitute words. Here are a few more ways to tap your creativity.

• Translate a poem from another language. You don’t need to speak another language to do this — just use similar sounds, appearances, or the same beginning letter.

• List poem: Pick a topic and then write a list of images that relate to this topic. The idea is to have visual imagery, so stay away from vague or abstract ideas.
• Use refrigerator magnetic poetry: Close your eyes and pick three random words off of the refrigerator. Arrange them in any order that suits you, and then write off of this line.
• A collage poem: Cut out words from magazines, newspapers, and any other printed media. Again, arrange them in an order that inspires you to keeping writing.
• Write a line of poem and pass it to someone else. Keep going like this until everyone in the room as contributed a one line.
• Use the dictionary: Pick 5-10 words and use them in a poem. Pick a few sets of words that begin with the same letter for alliteration.
• Erasure poem: Make a xerox copy of an article or poem or book and create your own poem by crossing out the printed words.
• Read a poem and write a response to that poem.
• Double-voice poem: Write a poem that has two (or more) separate voices speaking on the same subject. This form works well with two opposing or very different perspectives. For example, if you feel strongly about having a later curfew, and your parents disagree, you can show both sides of the argument. The voices appear side-by-side on the page, and the poem is read left to right across the page. If you really want to stress a point, you can have both voices speaking at the same time.
• Concrete poem: in this type of poem, the words still read right to left and form the shape of the poem’s subject. For instance, a poem about bad weather or rain could be in the shape of an umbrella.