Expressing an Emotion - The Art of Writing Poetry

Writing poetry is an art, a way of expression, finding meaning in few words. A melody of passion flowing out onto the pages, words that flow into each other and yet express the inner most thoughts and feelings of those who read the words. Writing poetry is a gift, a wonderful gift, being able to illuminate words so that they form a picture, express a feeling and share a thought in so few words. Unlike telling a story or writing a novel that explains every intricate detail a poem leaves you to draw your own conclusion. Writing poetry can be a healing process, putting down on paper all the emotions locked up inside ones head, a way of remembering and a way of re-living. Poetry has many forms from free verse to sonnet but all poems tell a story, a story of words, words wrapped around each other in such away that they flow together, locked in meaning. The poem below is titled "Playing" and every time I read this poem I cannot help but smile, as too will any mother reading this poem. See if you smile.

Playing

Running gentlyScreams of laughterLooking backI see you smileGolden hairSuch bright blue eyesOnce a babyIn my arms

Laughing harderRunning aroundTwo years oldI feel so proudGolden hairAnd eyes so blueYou call "Mummy Mummy"Come play too

Copyright © Amanda Evans

Poetry can also portray emotions of hurt and betrayal, unrequited love, loss and great suffering. Just putting these feelings onto paper helps to unburden the mind and the heart. Off loading the grief, if only for a moment. The next two poems titled "Dreams" and "Suicide" display emotions of loss and sorrow. They are a complete contrast to the above poem "Playing" filled with laughter and happiness.

Dreams

Crystal moonsAnd dancing starsImages of placeSo near yet so farStaring for hoursAs the night passes byMy life at a standstillI painfully cryNo grand illusionsNo place to goDestined to stay hereThis I now knowLost are the dreamsYou and me side by sideGone now foreverWith you they died

Copyright © Amanda Evans

Suicide

The power to suppressThe pain and the lossThe tears and the sadnessThe grief insideLying thereDormantSleep please, oh sleepThe memories suppressedNo power to dealWith the pain that you causedThe gap no one can fillYour selfish actLeaves me brokenAfraid to loveAfraid to liveThrough suppression I surviveSuicide not only killed you

Copyright © Amanda Evans

Many of the worlds great poets wrote about loss and pain, Shakespeare's Sonnets spoke of love "Shall I compare thee to a Summer's Day" and Emily Dickinson's poetry was about death "Because I could not stop for death, He kindly stopped for me", all contained great emotions and sadness that could be felt by the reader. Having the ability to express yourself with poetry is an exceptional gift, one that should be embraced and nurtured. The internet provides a vast amount of poetry sites where you can submit your poetry for critique and review. You can join workshops and receive expert help and advice or even help others. There are also numerous courses available via distance learning that you can take. Learning as much as you can about the art of poetry, will greatly increase your chances of becoming a recognised poet.

Expressing emotions through the art of poetry can be very daunting. Poems will always be clear to the author it is only when the reader understands the meaning that it can truly be called a poem.

Amanda Evans is webmaster for http://www.amandawrites.com a website dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams of becoming writers. You can subscribe to the free monthly newsletter Writers Passion. Amanda Evans is also the author of the newly published "From Those Death Left Behind" a collection of poetry and stories describing the grief and emotions of a family that lost a member to suicide. This book can be purchased at http://www.lulu.com/content/120733