Poetry Exercises
Unique Imagery
With that said, we can practice using poetic devices in fun ways. Metaphors and similes compare one object or notion to something completely different to that object or notion. For example, "Your hair is a tuna net." To practice working with these types of devices, we can imagine things that just aren't what they could be. Could you imagine if cars were made of cotton? What if televisions were heart monitors, or if candy was money!
Poetry Exercise 1
Start 5 sentences with "I'm glad (insert something) is not (insert something else). For example, "I'm glad cats are not statues." Or, you can say, "I'm glad (insert something) is not made of (insert some other wild thing).
When you are done, see if you can find any reason in the madness, and write a poem.
Poetry Exercise 2
A simile compares something to another object. Usually, the objects are not related. For example, "Your friendship is as pure as winter cirrus."
Write similes for the following words.
Love
Friendship
Motherhood/Fatherhood
Childhood
Work
Pride
Anger
When you are finished, consider using similes for some things in your life that are important to you. You might try using some very specific subjects, such as your child's laughter, your favorite plant, or a relationship you have with a friend. For example, I might write to my daughter, "Your brown eyes are as creamy and smooth as cocoa."
Finding Poetry in Exercises
At the end of these exercises, explore your own voice. Find the most unique way to write your thoughts and see if you can expand on them. It's always a good idea to use free writing to develop thoughts. If you find a sentence to be particularly interesting to you, try writing a page of prose about that sentence, and from there, you might find you have a poem that's waiting for you to develop.
Published by Devrie Wise
Devrie is a veteran Navy weather forecaster who's written weather articles for small base papers. As a Family Service Specialist, she's helped low-income families decrease their energy costs through educati... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentWonderful. :)
Really great, helpful info on poetry writing! Thanks!