Because we all want to write more poems.
How to write a poem
First, write a lot of bad poems. Like thousands.
Like 45 years worth of really bad poems.
Poems with meter and rhyme but no passion
Poems with form but no function
Love poems about someone with whom you can't
Imagine yourself still with 5 years from now.
Poems about your dad's funeral that never even
mention how you kissed his corpse on the lips.
Poems about your sister that evoke the
sweetness of a life you and she never lived.
Write poems as if you were Jimmy Buffett and
All you needed was a Margarita, a pair of flip flops
And a baggie of marijuana.
And a woman, but one who is not actually present,
Someone you can miss so badly,
Someone who will come on Monday
Write those poems, pack them into shoeboxes
Leave them at your old apartment when you
get married and buy a house.
Second, listen to poets.
Real live poets, local poets.
You think there aren't any around but there are.
Poets are like cockroaches on the east coast,
Like slugs in the northwest.
They come out at night and freak you out a little.
Then sleep all day.
Go to an open mic.
You will see poets who look like you
Poets who look like 12 year olds
Poets who look like Jesus
Poets who look like poets
Poets who look like farmers
Some will have poems as bad as the poems
You left at your old apartment
But one or two will have electricity
coming out of their mouths
Listen to them and think,
"I could never write something that good"
Third, try and write something that good.
You will fail, but do it,
Then go and read it at an open mic
Try to pick one where they applaud politely
Even when your poem is about your 8th grade lab partner
Who stirred feelings you didn't know you had.
After your lukewarm reception, go home
And write a better poem
Then read it the next week and write another poem
Repeat until the open mic folks get used to seeing you
And can guess what trite cliche you will use next.
Don't worry about punctuation
Don't worry about a title
Just keep writing
You are finding your voice.
Finally, when you find your voice
Out of sheer persistance,
Write a good poem
One that says something
But maybe it says something else
Or does it?
Take that poem
And edit it with a sharp knife
Until it's half the poem it was
Throw out your favorite clever lines
Clever poems are only clever
I'm just telling you the truth
You can keep those lines in if you want
But I know you are using them like a crutch
Now you have a poem,
Read it at your open mic
The poets will be shocked
They didn't know you had it in you.
Some will ponder the meaning all night
It will be your glorious moment.
Then go home and write another.
- Neil McKay's Shared Poems
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Comments
Neil McKay
February 7, 2012
Permalink
This one certainly isn't for
This one certainly isn't for publication or presentation but I am writing.
Benjamin Gorman
February 8, 2012
Permalink
Is this all I have to do?
Shit, this will be easy! .... Er, em,.... well. Maybe not.
Neil McKay
February 8, 2012
Permalink
Benjamin, I haven't met you
Benjamin, I haven't met you yet but I'm guessing you've done most of this already.