11-07-2025, 02:44 AM
I think focusing on rhythm over rhyme really helps. sometimes when im writing a non rhyming poem, im like.... why is this not working. It feels so off, and combersome.... to the point where its making me WANT to rhyme to fix it..... and its often because the rhythm is really off. you have to kind of move through the poem, and feel out what the natural syllabic rhythm is... where do you naturally want to stop and go and bounce (without rhyme). Often times you can feel it, and you can play with the line to give it the proper syllable placement.
also... throwing in a few rhymes in the right place can really help the poem move forward. its also really satisfying to come across these surprising rhymes. Its feels poetic without feeling so forced, like... oh wow, that was accidental (even if it wasnt).
and for staying on topic... i usually really meditate on what im trying to get across with a poem.... and usually i will write a VERY rough draft first. No pretty words... and no where near a "poem". This keeps me on track when im actually writing the poem. for example:
Driving
being along in a car is peace
its a moment to think uninteruped
for thoughts to circle your mind
a place to speak your thoughts out lout with no judgment
a place to vent
a place to debate yourself
it feels like a world of your own for a short time
a private place that you can be fully you
a therapy office where you are the therapist and the patient.
Then.... I take that.... and try to make it into a poem. As you can tell... that is NOT a poem what so ever, it's messy notes essentially.... but it made it so I can pull from somewhere. The notes are there now... not just flying around chaotically in my head, to try to catch while also trying to be creative at the same time.
also... throwing in a few rhymes in the right place can really help the poem move forward. its also really satisfying to come across these surprising rhymes. Its feels poetic without feeling so forced, like... oh wow, that was accidental (even if it wasnt).
and for staying on topic... i usually really meditate on what im trying to get across with a poem.... and usually i will write a VERY rough draft first. No pretty words... and no where near a "poem". This keeps me on track when im actually writing the poem. for example:
Driving
being along in a car is peace
its a moment to think uninteruped
for thoughts to circle your mind
a place to speak your thoughts out lout with no judgment
a place to vent
a place to debate yourself
it feels like a world of your own for a short time
a private place that you can be fully you
a therapy office where you are the therapist and the patient.
Then.... I take that.... and try to make it into a poem. As you can tell... that is NOT a poem what so ever, it's messy notes essentially.... but it made it so I can pull from somewhere. The notes are there now... not just flying around chaotically in my head, to try to catch while also trying to be creative at the same time.