Poetry Exercises: The Long Three Stages
1. Read the first book in the library, the first link of a
web search or the first handout you're offered. Attempt said exercise-
describing in rhyme the innards of a fruit bowl, for example.
2. Attend a poetry reading, a festival tent, a literature
festival, a book signing or any other opportunity you get to see actual 'paid'
poets perform. Learn as much as you can and try to forget that dreadful
exercise you attempted in step one. Instead, work for a few years purely
imitating your new Word Gods and Goddesses. You'll find their work in
bookshops- tucked in amongst other essential reading.
3. Throw away your inhibitions. You've been doing this for
ages now and where has it really got you. Write what you can, when you can
because if it dries up, you're back to step two. You should write the poetry
that you want to write- paying careful attention to the lessons you've gleaned
from others but remaining overall, true to yourself. You've done the legs so
take a seat for a minute. Would you like a pencil?
Thanks for reading,
S.
