How do you write poetry?

[rayheinrich]

I give myself permission to write crap. That removes any writer's block. I often impose a restriction upon myself which my mind works to overcome (upon revision I may remove the original restriction, but I usually don't as it helps set the form or structure of the piece. I write until I find my opening line then I start the free write again with that line.

I only need time to reflect and think--my mood is largely irrelevant these days (that hasn't always been the case, but writing and more writing has given me some freedom there).

Then I revise, and revise, and revise, let it sit for a few months revise, rinse repeat.

That's at least how I write poetry.

    Winner of the Verisimilitude Prize, ten years running.