Poetry Writing Exercises for Any Level

[@RachelOates]

Bonus Fun: All the poets (and "poets") in the thumbnail are people who's work we've spoken about in various videos / streams / comments - can anyone identify them all? :)

[@vintagelover2211]

Never thought I’d see the day where a photo of Shakespeare and Trisha Paytas could coexist. We live in an iconic timeline.

[@brunetteartist24]

Caroline duffy, simon amatage, trisha paytas, rupi kaur, gabbie hanna, Shakespeare, edward lear and aah that's all- I mainly know the actual poets only by name so idk what they look like but yeah i have been binging too many of your poetry videos recently❤

[@juxtalee1561]

oooo!! I see you have Elizabeth Acevedo there! I had met her once!

[@fabianac2862]

Two of the ladies in black and white: Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath!

[@princekrazie]

You are really harsh on Gabby Hanna

[@jackbennett9040]

Just a quick note on editing for new poets. Poetry should be heard. It began as a vocal exercise, so by reading your poetry out loud, you'll get a better understanding of how it's flowing, what lines or words don't work, which parts do work. I write in silence (music on but writing very freely) but edit out loud. I hope this helps!

[@jordanwait7264]

Thank you so much!

[@jackbennett9040]

@@jordanwait7264 Ah no worries, good luck writing!

[@happymaskedguy1943]

I don't necessarily agree that poetry 'should' be heard. I personally prefer to read poetry, slowly in my own mind. It's really down to what the reader prefers to do, in the end. For editing though, I agree, it is one of the best ways of teasing out problematic grammar and dead beats, etc.

[@kelly-annmaddox]

I'm not trying to call this comment out in a malicious way. I apperciate your obvious passion for poetry. However the comment frames the experience and understanding of poetry in an ableist way that excludes people who can't speak and people who can't hear. Let's face it, rigidity around how poetry should be consumed or produced is something we can stand to get over. 🙂

[@jackbennett9040]

@casually cruel oh my god i love that!! hahahaha

[@ngtone611]

one tip i heard from a writer is that she looked around at strangers and made up stories about them from the way they looked, dressed and behaved. I tried it once before and it’s really fun. It made me realise how much attention i’ve put on myself because it’s the first time i looked at strangers for so long. However, i felt like sometimes people can feel that i’m looking at them and i didn’t want to make people feel uncomfortable so i stopped. But it’s fun though.

[@solbutton1611]

Honestly, that does sound like a fun exercise. I think I’ll give it a go. Thank you for sharing ☺️

[@anemoiatrippin]

This is a brilliant tip. I've written songs this way, not on purpose but sometimes I just find myself making stories about people. I want to read more poetry where "I" is not the poet's own voice.

[@_snow_-]

I dont really understand- can someone help

[@OopsIDidItAgainUh]

Wow I need to try that! Thanks for commenting this! In return, I'll leave this tip that I use to prevent the awkwardness of being caught staring at strangers. Due to overthinking, I have had my fair share of awkward moments, because I never realised that while I was lost in my thoughts, I was staring at them, until they caught me staring. So, what I began doing is, I slowly shift my stare to someone or something towards their side or back - very discreetly. So when they move out of awkwardness, it will look like I was never staring at them but something beside/behind them. It works most of the time 😂 Now, whenever I observe strangers to try this writing technique, I will use this method 😂

[@melancholy_edits]

I saw a lady sitting on a bus with a flower bouquet that seemed robust she looked at me her eyes icy blue while petals from her bouquet flew She did a wave that’s a memory I will always save Pretty bad but there you go

[@Sableagle]

1) Start with a simple sentence 2) Restate the same thing in as many different ways as you can, exhausting the entire thesaurus entry for each word of it 3) Profit 4) Change name to H. P. Lovecraft.

[@s-h7015]

THE SHADE 😂😭😭

[@jackquentin1950]

Lmao

[@nilsar4357]

If we are talking about Lovecraft, I'm pretty sure "Profit" comes after "Die".

[@esterukesup6850]

THE WAY I SNORTED 😅🤣🤣

[@lumafaletumanu]

HAHHAHAH no because this is SO TRUE. I do this as well

[@f.e.ybane.7734]

On the interview example: His weary, blurry eyes circled the room, Like the infernal hands of the clock. Tic-toc. Turning, turning of glossy pages, eyes that judged. Were they looking at his scraped leather shoes? Were they looking at the too big lapels of his suit? Maybe they just saw the sunken roads that negated youth, Maybe they pity the trembling of his hand, his foot. His stomach growled in resignated rage, Was it bile battling to resurface with his nerves? Was, maybe, the urge to win, to remember how it felt, The warmth of being full, being fed.

[@r.j.penfold]

Ooh I really like that! Good job!

[@f.e.ybane.7734]

@@r.j.penfold thank you! =)

[@te-ter]

wow, poor guy. sounds like he is in a tough spot financially :(

[@f.e.ybane.7734]

@@te-ter I was inspired by the poor economical situation in my country, and the senior citizens that need to go back into the work force well after their retirement.

[@hollysmyth2704]

I love this, the imagery is fantastic.

[@sleepyboyeyes]

Please do a video on Lana Del Rey and Halsey’s poetry books. “Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass” “I Would Leave Me If I Could”

[@averysandoval541]

yes!!!! please

[@joshurfriend2000]

@Saralyn Caine i was so excited for hers bc i think a lot of her lyricism is stunning but the poetry book was so scattered and dull. very disappointed

[@hoppergrasa]

Yesss! Lana’s is a masterpiece it’s so immersive and beautiful 🤍

[@Sydney_With_A_Why]

You had me at, "Stop writing bad poetry." 💜

[@mehco-op9061]

You had me at "Stop"

[@Sydney_With_A_Why]

Stop. Stop writing. Stop writing bad. Stop writing bad poetry. All of these things.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

_Roses are red,_ _violets are blue;_ _I'd like to write,_ _but my poetry's poo._

[@urbanitecrusher5709]

Roses are red Violets are bigger I am white And you are a

[@m__realist5294]

Bigot**

[@NatashaLeecole]

Write this in your style reminds me of the “draw this in your style” art challenges. Those are interesting to watch. I’ve done the second one plenty of times. It can start with something as simple and basic as “I’m just writing letting it flow...” whatever comes after that is usually like a blueprint, to something I find I can work with later even with mundane, generic, cliched lines in the entry.

[@zq5127]

I’ve always found that my favorite media is done from a perspective “outside” its own medium. e.g. films made as you would music, poetry written as though it’s a painting, etc. I think that can be helpful when trying to ‘show, not tell.’

[@fluorite1627]

I think the typical person has to write bad poetry before they can write anything actually good. I think that kind of language can discourage people before they even get started.

[@vintagelover2211]

Agreed, my poetry is ass but I’m not going to stop doing it. Also, poetry is subjective so idgaf.

[@miljantrajkovic1862]

Then just don't publish it before you become good poet 😁

[@fluorite1627]

@@miljantrajkovic1862 I agree with that ✌

[@anjolaxo3875]

@@vintagelover2211 Lmfao love your attitude!!

[@soyevquirsefron990]

@@miljantrajkovic1862 I read the title of the video and the first couple comments and thought "it sounds like Rachel is being negative and discouraging, that's so uncharacteristic she's never negative" Sure enough, when I watched it it was all constructive and positive. I agree with you that the only thing she's ever said people should stop doing is, selling lazy poetry to an audience they already have from another platform

[@SoVidushi]

Hey Rachel, could you make videos about the different structures for poetry (haiku, sonnet, pantoum, etc)?

[@f.e.ybane.7734]

I like to reimagine old myths and theological pieces. For example, take the myth of Lilith and the christian story of the Creation, and rewrite it from the point of view of Lilith, Adam and Eve.

[@r.j.penfold]

Ooooh that's really interesting!

[@f.e.ybane.7734]

@@r.j.penfold I actually shared some of those pieces on her website, if you are interested: www.racheloates.me/freshpoetssociety/topic/204/

[@robbytherobinson6654]

I actually started re-writing the myth of The Minotaur, for a final English project.

[@f.e.ybane.7734]

@@robbytherobinson6654 that's awesome! I would love to read that!

[@LuisRivera-vf9pk]

Or Norse Mythology through Loki's perspective.

[@forestgrump4723]

I write a lot of poetry about feeling helpless, about futility. Wings of stone is one of my favourite themes. I find it harder to write poetry when I'm in a healthy headspace. Might try out some of these hints see what comes out.

[@julienna7644]

watching your videos really feel like being in english class with my favourite english teacher in high school

[@SCARandSHADOW7797]

Watching Kyra nudge up against you in the beginning just warmed my heart so much. 🥰

[@andygtmo]

Rupi Kaur has a new book out; I know some people like/appreciate her writing, but I think she should take the advice in the title of this video.

[@ViolaVines]

I love things like this because I’m a “bad poet” but want to get better. I think more videos with prompts, tips, and tricks to improve would be great.

[@maroa-v4k]

I'm not a big fan of poetry myself, I started watching your videos about trisha and gabbie just for the "drama", but i gotta say, you really made me feel a lot of affection from and for the poems you present on the videos I'm brazillian, so i don't know most of the writers and books you talk about (actually the only poet i can name by heart without taking too much time thinking is luís de camões), but i got really interest on them plus you seem so nice lol truly wish you the best

[@skinlesschickennugget2411]

Your hair looks stunning💜💜

[@Wormwoodification]

This is the most comprehensive writing guide I've ever seen on youtube. Kudos. Amazing. I love this direction your channel's taking. I've been writing a poem for a book I'm writing, it's been a while since I wrote poetry. (In fact, I'm pretty sure I vowed never to write poetry again. lol) But I need this poem for the book, so.... thank you, thank you, thank you. I needed help with it and I really trust your knowledge of poetry. This video came just in time.

[@partsofhistory595]

Your tips could be perfect for me To improve my haiku poetry, But for now I will trial Using limerick style, Is this any better? Let's see...

[@amelias7559]

I’m not a poet; I like to write stories, but I’ve needed to work on my prose, and this helped a lot so thank you

[@kelceyfirth]

*a poem i wrote 7 months ago:* he holds a thorn to his fingertip cheeks glow crimson with an aching grin a pain so great, a boy so fragile he is so thin, a boy with paper bones and a grave he dug himself. standing, rose in hand at the edge on the brink he is alone, empty yet he grins. a wide, joyous grin on a cold, fragile boy blood drips from his fingertip a rose, wilting, thorns and all. *rewrite:* crimson cheeks and cherry lips, rose in hand, tightened grip, hollow cheeks and empty lies, paper bones, featherlike. smiling, beaming, tears in his eyes, aching laughter as he abides, icy breath and sharpened sting, jagged edge, contorted grin, tears, rivers, blood, all flowing, and still nothing can console him. tortured smile, feeling small rose in hand, thorns and all. I still don't think it's the best poem i've ever written but I wanted to try out this style of near-rhymes and keep some of the original imagery of the poem while changing the style.

[@sarahakinlade7610]

im been writing poetry for a few years, in my opinion i thought they were so beautiful and expressive, everytime i read them back they made me swirl on the inside. but since i would say from the beginning of this year i have had "writters block", it wasnt that i didnt know what to write, its just the words just never found there place like they used to. now my collage is doing a poetry competition for a lot of money and i really want to win it so that i can prove to myself that maybe i still have it within me. now im hoping that this video really helps me out ( fingers crossed!)

[@i.need.a.new.nickname]

Really felt called out by the title of this video😂

[@williamchamberlain2263]

Why did KZbin recommend this to _me?_.

[@infinitedragonbellyx.x]

Im sure youre awful at it.❤ But dont feel bad, poetry is just garbage regardless

[@i.need.a.new.nickname]

@@infinitedragonbellyx.x statistically yeah, I probably am awful at it, lol. How many poetic wannabes are there out there? A lot. Unlikely I'm one of those who are actually decent at it....hmm, yeah....good talk.

[@SnailHatan]

Why, because you’re any level?

[@i.need.a.new.nickname]

@@SnailHatan pretty sure the title has changed over time, Mr.Hitchcock, and it was only a joke anyway :)

[@frankie612]

I am at my best poetically when I write at the peak of a heightened emotional state, good or bad. You don’t have to think as much because you are already in a flow state, there are no distractions, and you are completely focused on what you are feeling in that moment. Outside of this, I struggle writing good poetry.

[@haileyrobins5992]

Hey Guys! I hade to write a poem for school (we had to use 10 vocab words to write it). I think it’s an okay start, but I would LOVE some advice. A hero, once hubris, Began his great metamorphosis. Caught himself in an imbroglio with his scullion Caused by haughty carelessness. A peregrination to venerate A god wronged through fate. A platitude hero story Where the hero took the bait. And like most wrenching ancient stories The camaraderie was doomed at the start. For the gods never play nice To the impetuous at heart.

[@robbytherobinson6654]

I have to write a poem for school to.

[@s-h7015]

I’m a little late, but I’m a new poet and these exercises are so helpful!! I tried that exercise where you take a boring/cliche sentence and turn it into something interesting, and I accidentally got inspired and made a cute little poem out of it! It’s called “Rain Isn’t So Bad!”. Most of my sentences didn’t make it into it, but it inspired the idea. :) “Spinning around feeling joy and wonder Jumping in puddles to the beat of the thunder My socks are all soggy, but why should I care? Dancing and rain are a beautiful pair!” Its about making the most of a crappy situation. Anyways, thank you for the exercise! It was really helpful! I can’t wait to try the others.

[@SoICanComment163]

This is maybe advice more specific to a few styles, but one thing that helps me a out a lot is thinking of everything as active. I look to Shakespeare a lot. All his work is so full of action, objects have agency, every single thing mentioned has a personality and can act on the speaker, the reader, or other objects in the world of the poem.

[@winter5460]

I did the simple sentence->poetry exercise. That was really fun, kind of interesting were I ended up Boy meets girl-> The boys eyes fall upon a transcendental flower Stuck between truth and dream Past and present, A promised future and words not yet spoken But heard, nonetheless

[@tanya.24]

I took inspiration from Hozier as he uses some sentences from books in his lyrics. I really loved that idea, have always underlined my favourite lines etc while reading, and I started a poem inspired by James Joyce's prose, I think it was from the last paragraphs from Potrait of the Artist... Poem is pretty shit, but I really liked writing that way

[@storiesgirlll]

Girl, this color scheme on you looks amazing. I’m curious about the tips, I’m listening: know nothing about creative writing

[@Mothchewedgirl]

I love you’re videos! Always so informative, even for someone who has been a poet/writer for years now. I think if you were ever a teacher you’d be very good at it :) Keep up the good work ❤️ Something that helps me is I really try to visual the scene (whether it be a poem or short story) and listen to music to help. I find it very effective.

[@karaleigh_eva]

I don’t write much poetry, but for my short stories it’s really helpful to not touch it for like a week between drafts. (Also helps w my college essays) you get a fresh pair of eyes to see where it feels like something is missing

[@Narokkurai]

My favorite advice to people trying to get into poetry is to try working in verse. Iambic Pentameter may seem like a very arbitrary restriction--and in a way it is--but by focusing very carefully on the specific cadence and pacing of your words, it gets you thinking about language in a different way. Poems are "craftlike". You can build them like a carpenter builds a small box, cutting each piece to size, fitting them together seamlessly, and adding as much detail as you like. Working within a structured meter gives you an appreciation for words as tools, and encourages you to find creative ways to express ideas within those constraints. I've helped a couple people get into poetry and whenever they hand me a free-verse poem my advice is usually, "Try remaking this poem in a structured meter and see if you like it better." Every single time, the work was substantially improved. It wasn't the meter that made the poem, it was the attention to detail and precise use of words.

[@Ironoclasty]

Rachel thinks now is the time, to make writing sound much more sublime. With words rearrange, in a meaning exchange, and make sure the lines end with the same sound.

[@GrannyReplica]

I love your poetry and arts related content. There is always so much to learn from these videos, they inspire and motivate, too.

[@deanneb6925]

My biggest tip: First thought = worst thought. REWRITE. I think we’re told that “true artists” will pen a masterpiece in the first go when they get a magical stroke of genius. But that is very rarely the case. Rewrites and edits are your friend! Also, don’t feel like you have to rewrite something immediately after finishing the first draft. You can shelve it for as long as you please, until you feel you’re ready to take another stab at it. Reading/hearing great poetry is an excellent motivator too. Better yet, take a bad poem and try to make it better! For example: my personal take on a Milk and Honey-esque Instagram poem: i like the pain That is why i choose to rot in a room with no windows A flame needs oxygen to survive I will give you mine, because I never had any in the first place

[@naomidasen962]

i found that some of these exercises could be really helpful for my pen&paper writing, as I always struggle with those introductory texts to situations and scenes - so thanks a lot for that!:)

[@its_leyl.a]

and all day, i dance upon this world, i swirl in a daunting delight, and I listen, I listen to the wind compose a most beautiful poem, i feel a thousand words upon this aching skin under the arch of a blue, blue sky as it sags, as it breaths, and i dance, i dance with my fingers and my soul, i dance in this beautiful skin and I feel myself as a poem under the arch of a blue, blue sky do i feel the poem of a God and all day long, I lift to the sky, plaster my hands upon its ancient skin, and I listen, I listen, to the sky as it whispers a lost lullaby, I tilt upon my toes, lean my ear in, and I hear the lumbering procession of a most beautiful universe pass by, so I dance, I dance and I dance and I intricate a most articulate orchestra with this body, with this world, and in an instance, I feel the song of a universe bloom in this body Hows this? ( ps, check out my poetry channel! )

[@Sableagle]

"Her feet kept the rhythm of the heavens' orchestra that was drowned out by the watery applause cascading off the kerbstones beneath the twirling hem of her glistening coat and she flowed from pose to stance to pose above them in elegant chaos like the laughter of her audience flowing down the gutter." How's that?

[@d.lan3y]

Rhythmic and pleasing

[@marsofficial3798]

Very smooth & calming 🖤 pleasant to read for sure

[@jdk2535]

add line breaks and i'd like it

[@d.lan3y]

@@jdk2535 I actually think the lack of line breaks improves it. It gives it this quick, flowing pace that sounds something like dancing, if that makes sense.

[@jdk2535]

@@d.lan3y yeah but you need to pause for breath eventually. the complete lack of line breaks combined with absolutely no punctuation just makes me feel out of breath when i read it, and not in a good way

[@CforChiTwo]

Expressing same idea in new ways. Thank you Rachel,you are gorgeous.

[@robbytherobinson6654]

This video uploaded, just as I needed to write a poem but had a very, VERY, bad case of writers block. Thankyou Rachel.

[@thatgeraldinechick2725]

Hi Rachel! This video feels like fate as I'm going to an open mic poetry night and Ive been losing my mind this week to tap into some sort of poetry to read. Thank you so much, this has seriously helped so much!

[@lucideandre]

This is funny. I got an ad in this video for one of those Master Classes, but it was specifically about poetry, and writing poetry. Didn’t see who it was, because I skipped it sort of immediately, but then realized it was neat.

[@swoobatfan6606]

I got that ad too lol

[@zenbrandon]

Perfect timing! I love your poetry videos!

[@annakrpatova3429]

Thank you very much, I've always wanted to write poetry and I really love reading it, but I never felt like I could make up something that wouldn't look like a basic children song, but I think that with your tips, I could've maybe one day write something I will be happy with 💖

[@pikdame]

One thing I find is that while ofc the best way to get better us to just sit down and write and practice that can often be quite the hard step to get yourself to do. As in like consciously choosing to sit down and work on poetry. So what I do a lot, to at least engage the poetic part of my brain, when I have some spare time like walking back from uni or waiting somewhere, is to just take something im seeing/feeling and just write lines of poetry in my head/come up with poetic phrases and images and metaphors to link to the concept. As in a very loose way of brainstorming without writing anything down. Its super low input energy but it at least engages you a little, and if you ever do really like something you come up with you can always note it down on your phones notes app or something. Unrelatedly though, will we ever get a video of your own poetry? Id love to hear your style and ideas. But I ofc also understand that sharing poetry is quite personal so I totally get if you dont want to. Also also, could you maybe make a video on the best online resources to improve your poetry, wether that is places to find the poetry of established poets for free, or good communities to share work and get feedback as well as comment on other people's work, or even places to get published online. I'm sure it would require quite some research but im personally quite struggling with finding good poetry resources online so crowdosurcing from your community might be useful.

[@spirituallylovingme-11]

I like the way you pernounce your words

[@antonian8058]

A very fun exercise for non-native English speakers listening to English songs (or apply to any language you understand but not always correctly 😅): Listen to a fast song, so one in which the singer really speaks fast. Don't look up the lyrics but write down what you think they're saying... is it grammatically incorrect? Fine. Doesn't it make any sense? Even better. No turn that weird sentence into a poem😊

[@josefinelindhagen3001]

Am currently writing a ballad (alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and trimeter, and ABCB-rhyme) about a satanic spider cat. Got the inspiration from a conversation with a friend. It will be a complete nonsense, but hopefully it will keep me a bit more sane during the exams. Love and adore you 🥰❤️

[@caitlindaly9108]

Thank you for reigniting my love for reading poetry, I hope I can start writing some soon! ❤❤

[@novepipps]

Fun helpful video. Many thanks 🌞

[@elenasingh75]

I have been writing poetry for five years. My first poetry was on summer in Hindi when I was ten. It wasn’t good but I really enjoyed the process. My latest poem is ‘My eyes are closed’. It’s not brilliant but I have improved enormously. So, practice is the key and I know your first poem is going to be shit but then it will get better.

[@AngLSTM]

This was so inspiring. It makes me almost want to try writing again.

[@poemsbystephanie1]

I found this video so helpful I use prompts to help and I find listening to spoken word videos sparks ideas off I would to send you and have your feed back on it

[@poppymay4255]

i once wrote a poem in school and my mum loved it so much she framed it and put it in the attic i couldn’t tell you anything about it now but i’m 80% sure it was a bout a mouse and the last verse (?) may of been about a cat

[@ash_luscious]

1. Take a poem that you love and rewrite it in a different style and structure with the same meaning

[@lydiabrown920]

I love your purple hair! It looks so good!!

[@milaanic5380]

The most beautiful poem I've ever read (no, Its not mine haha): You whose hands are more innocent than mine and who is as wise as nonchalance and who removes slow shadows of doubts from his face like the spring wind removes shadows of clouds floating over the hill. If your hug gives courage to the heart and your thighs stop the pain, if your name gives peace to his thoughts, and your throat a shade to his berth and the night of your voice, an orchard still untouched by storms. Then stay beside him and be more devoted than anyone else who loved him before you. Fear the echo approaching the innocent love nests. And be gentle with his dream bellow the invisible mountain at the edge of the soughing sea. Walk around his coast. Be seen by sorrowful dolphins. Wander around his woods. Kind lizards wont do you any harm. And the thirsty snakes that I tamed will be humble before you. May the birds that I kept warm sing to you in the nights of sharp frost. May the boy that I protected from stalkers on a deserted road caress you May the flowers that I watered with my tears bring fragrance to you. I didn’t witness the best years of his manhood. His fertility I haven’t received in my bosom ravaged by looks from cattle drivers at fairs and from greedy thieves. I will never take care of his children. And the stories that I’ve prepared for them long ago I might tell, crying, to little miserable bears abandoned in black forest. You whose hands are more innocent than mine be gentle with his dream that remained harmless. But let me see him his face when strange years start to come down on it. And tell me sometimes a thing or two about him so that I don’t have to ask strangers who find me silly, and neighbors who pity my patience. You whose hands are more innocent than mine, stay beside his pillow and be gentle with his dream!

[@skyhand9808]

I wrote this when I was 17 and in a bad place with an ex of mine who went back to an abusive boyfriend after we split up. I’ve always wanted to get some feedback on it. So here it is: You act like a awkward shoulder "pat" (if you can even call it that) Is going to make us "okay" My eyes burn As I twist and turn looking for an escape from what has 'accidentally' turned into my personal hell. Maybe this is what people who believe in it call "fate". Unknown to you, I consider turning and running to make sure you don't bare witness to the burning of my eyes turning into crying... which would, I guess, Would take you by surprise. Finally you speak, now my knees and arms are weak and I look at you with bleak dead eyes. Finally I hear you. I did not when you spoke for I hadn't yet awoken the part of me that wanted to listen to what you had to say. "I'll see you later, okay?" You say as you turn to walk away. I don't think that you care that I nearly couldn't bare to move or to speak or to even be present in the moments afterwards. Maybe if I hadn't seen you it would have been okay? Maybe if I hadn't questioned the NEW flashy ring that lay in the place of mine. Maybe then we'd be okay...

[@jiraffejimmy2159]

I’ve been writing poetry for a few months and I never like to rush my poems, they typically take a few months to write. Yes I get a bulk of it done within a week but editing and making the story more clear and engaging takes a while. Short poetry for me is the hardest, because I like visuals and love to explain it and make you feel like your there. Ive been writing haikus a bit more as an attempt and I don’t know if they are good but I tried and I’ll know I’ll get better here are 2 examples Summer in sun love Rain will come and rain will go, Washed with the rainbow That was the first one I wrote and I honestly think it’s cheesy but it was my first attempt The water rose up, Mist evergreen and dried rose Drops fell as we row. Personally I think this one is slightly better, but Haikus are so hard to write without having them be cringe. Anyway I have others that are better but I desperately need help with Haikus so can you please help🥺

[@imbluedubbadee]

I've been trying to write poetry abiut my mental health, just for nyself because I struggle to put things into words and I thought it might be therapeutic. Every time I sit down to write though it all sounds so tacky and like a child trying to write. Hopefully I can learn something here 😊😅

[@d.lan3y]

That's completely valid though. Word vomit on paper always beats emotion bottles stuffed under a couch in the back of your head

[@dionysusfilms165]

whenever I try to write about something close to my heart, like my feelings or my mental health, it always comes out as childlike and clunky. I suggest creating a separate scene or image that is radically different from what you want to write about but has the same energy or can be interpreted as a metaphor for what you need to express. This is so you can distance yourself from it and just observe it as a bystander, (plus it just makes the poem interesting). Then write your observations down in painstaking detail. I would show an example of mine but I've had my poetry stolen before so I'm a little hesitant.

[@rachaelowens6720]

Definitely need to learn a lot cause sometimes I thought 'a what?', great video though and I love the advice 'show don't tell', it helps description as I've been getting into poetry over creative writing

[@alanisisamess8977]

Wow, so early! Hello everyone :D I'm sure these tips will be useful!!

[@swoobatfan6606]

It's ironic listening to this video about improving your writing/poetry when I have a whole essay I'm too anxious and demoralized to continue lol

[@amyisaway7800]

me on a poetry course with a portfolio due soon, procrastinating, seeing this in my feed: :)))))

[@indaduran1630]

Suuuper inspiring thankyou!

[@davidhills389]

In an alternate universe where poets have the status of pop stars... A KZbin presenter, Miss Oates Made a video once, without notes She chatted for hours About poems and flowers And it garnered her millions of votes.

[@ezeei9832]

Can you take a look at Lana del reys poetry? Would love to hear your opinion:)

[@jaimehammer8215]

Pleaseeeee do a video about Lili Reinhart’s book Swimming Lessons! I love her and had high hopes for her book of poetry, but...it’s just not great. 😬

[@mrithigashree]

Could you please review Halsey's poetry book "I would leave me if I could"? P.S. I really like your critiques and inputs, taught me a bunch about poetry, helped me truly appreciate the art.

[@tharealcar-lee509]

I would love to hear your thoughts on Lana Del Rey’s new book

[@kirstenornelas881]

LOVE YOUR HAIR COLOR!!!!

[@PoetryETrain]

Word... shared & subscribed-

[@animula6908]

Here’s a tip: try writing about someone else instead of just your own feelings and opinions. It’s impossible beyond a point, probably, but trying to tell a story you don’t understand yourself means you might come to understand it better. You might understand someone else better, which is a higher form of poetry.

[@lisacathleen3550]

LOVE the hair😍😍😍😍

[@clement7216]

please please please do a review on Lana Del Rey's violent bent backwards over the grass poetry

[@mishelly]

Need a glossary for this video! 🤣 littering making notes and word list to look up lmao

[@SaadetOZTRK]

perfect video damn

[@d.lan3y]

I have a poem about the greek figure Iphigenia that I've been working on for months. I just can't get it to sound vengeful enough.

[@marleyhamil7945]

That sounds really intriguing! She truly is a fascinating character, with both her youth, naivety, and the betrayal of from her father in the last second before her wedding. I think the most interesting part of the myth is how little we know about her early life(how she has become defined by her tragedy) and how quickly it was dismissed- I would be horrified if the leader of the army I was in killed his daughter, because if he has so little care for his own flesh and blood, what care would he show to my life? I also think- although a vengeful and unforgiving narrative can be gorgeous and really well done- that you have to remember her age... she is so young, so alone and afraid in the underworld, so confused and betrayed, and above all else, devastated. She thought she was going to marry Achilles, best of the Greeks, and live an exciting, fulfilling life, but now she’s dead and her dreams have been torn from her grip and voice from her throat. She lived before she was finished to exist only as a lesson(to not anger the gods or trust uninhibitedly) and that may be the most grievous thing of all; she was just a girl and for her fathers sins, her life was cut short. I would be furious and brimming with hatred and burning with vengeance, but more than that, I would be grieving a life I never lived, a shattered image of my father, and my innocence.

[@d.lan3y]

@@marleyhamil7945 my Iphigenia has been dead for a while, a lot of time to stew. But I try to bring the naivety by asking a lot of questions. I'm trying to have a level of vengeance and maturity while also allowing her to be confused and sad. It's kind of a difficult line to walk. Do you mind if I share the poem as it exists now? You seem like you may have some pointers.

[@marleyhamil7945]

D. Laney Definitely! That sounds really cool, I’d love to look at it

[@d.lan3y]

@@marleyhamil7945 still working on it tho, remember. Father, Father, do you miss me? Old timer, be honest, did you enjoy it? It's been thirteen years, not that you've been counting. Do you even remember? I do. You told me it was a wedding, Father, And how many of them did you lie to? How many times did you say it? "She went willingly." "She volunteered." I was twelve years old, Father, and I had no idea. Or did you believe it too, in the end? Repeat it so often it sank in? Or didn't you have to? Did you imagine I really was a deer? Father, Father, did you enjoy it? Do you miss me? If it came down to it, could you even properly spell my name? Did you think of me, Father, when the Trojan streets ran red? Was their blood mine? Were their throats my throat? Did you even bother to think, their deaths were impossible without mine? Did you pause in your petty pace to thank me, like the lonely, thieving murderer you ought to admit you are? I hear that Mother slit your throat. Father, I am waiting. So yeah, open to any pointers\criticisms you might have.

[@marleyhamil7945]

@@d.lan3y first of all, thank you for sharing this with me! okay, so I want to start with the opinion that it is already very good. you have definitely established a voice for your character through her word choice and sentence structure (the shorter sentences you use seem appropriately angry and bitter because they seem the most raw in their most honest/unembellished state). I also think the way you painted the picture of her death seemed very realistic in representing a 12 year old, as her thinking was very rigid and her accusations very pointed/direct(also brilliant use of questions- most children are naturally curious, and it perfectly represents her because she is trying to find out the truth but that is overtaken by the more angry edge, and she asks questions that will hurt instead of lead to answers). At first, the "did you enjoy it" part at first seemed almost out of place, but I think it's actually really good because it is almost a needling, antagonizing phrase that she wouldn't know the answer to, as she is questioning everything she knows in the wake of her tragic ending, and she is also trying to figure out his motive for killing her. My favorite lines were "I was twelve years old, father, and I had no idea" becuae WOW that is so devastating and lonely and cruel, and also "Did you ever stop to think/ their deaths were impossible without me?" because it is two-fold; cruel hands and violent actions only birth more of the same, and it brings attention to how much history discards her fate and ignores her tragedy. There are some things I would add though, just to make the themes and tone even more poignant. I think first, you have to add in more descriptive language and elaborate more on some of the great ideas you have. It will give you a contrast between the short sentences(abrupt and piercing) and longer ones. For example, "Repeat it so it sank in" is fine, but I think maybe creating a metaphor about how it sinks in(does she think it is an easy to swallow lie? does she know if there are many more he tells himself, collecting and distorting his reality?). I think another one that has a lot of potential is the the line "Did you imagine I really was a deer," because it conveys that she is the opposite, but I think you can add more and talk about her "the look in her doe eyes" or her innocence or how the hunter was not the ones she'd been warned about in the end, but the ambition of her father. Another few lines, about the similarities between her and the Trojans, can be consolidated and polished(maybe add more description about the blood and how he might have saw her body crumpling, sword in back, as they fall). Anyway, I also really like the end, and that's most of what I had to say about the poem!

[@alexeybagirov6635]

I havent written anything in months cause I lost my muse😂I dont consider myself that much of a poet but usually my best writing results from the times of sadness or great happiness

[@The_Leftysaurus]

totally unrelated but WOW! I LOVE you're haircolour right now!! It's like an eggplant ♥ in the best possible way ♥♥♥

[@chrisampie2371]

I adore your hair!

[@TheLadyPlantagenet]

Hey there! I wonder whether you've read any of the medieval poets? e.g. Charles Duke of Orlean's romantic ones?

[@charlie3384]

I would love this kind of video but as a live stream where do you do this with us. Starting with step 1 to the end, we all do it together

[@RedAngelSophia]

The last task that you mention it how PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON was written. The author read a poem about a dragon and decided that he could do better.

[@kevinmuiruri7877]

I find poetry really hard to read and moreso INTERPRET... Any tips?

[@DanaM18129]

I am from germany but I love reading in englisch so I actually write in englisch too. And I feel so insecure about it. Writing poetry is actually just a exercise for therapy to get my feelings out xD And I also feel like I always write too much

[@thequestionedpodcast]

Your hair is so cool !

[@novalachlan2347]

Pre-1000 views! Love your hair!

[@SohaNoha]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. What happened when poetry gets really abstract and crazy 😜? Lol

[@_nins]

rachel pleeeeeease could you react/review halsey's new poetry book?

[@sarahs4693]

I would love to see you analyze/review Lana Del Rey’s poetry book

[@sierrafarnum9689]

I'm in a poetry class and it sucks bc it makes me dislike poetry, the teacher thinks you shouldn't say things that aren't literally true unless you're published (so metaphors, which are the spine of what I like to write, are out). And he thinks you have to be grammatically correct and shouldn't mess around with syntax or new words etc.

[@eagleeggs3862]

Where can I submit poems for critique or review?

[@kellypolek9177]

Because you love language, so Here, chew these lines three Kay, I'm done, now can we go? That work for a haiku? I don't ever write them. Or any other poetry really but I love to read it and I'm pretty sure 5-7-5 is a proper order?

[@user-ot4rc9jh8e]

Writing is like cooking food. Everybody begins an amateur.

[@CKingster]

Love the probably unintentionally nonbinary coded make up haha