Question about poetry

[1989problems]

If I write poetry does it matter if I know the correct way or not ? I have no idea about poem structures etc but I just want to write ?

Does it actually matter if it’s randomly structured especially if it’s just for myself ?

What do you mean it just needs to rhyme

Wow what you think sounds good. Pretty is self expression first and linguistic exercise second.
Get your poem written and don't worry about form and being correct.

Of course you can just write, from you heart. There isn't a correct way to write poetry.

There are techniques that children learn about in school for spotting and analysing different ways that poets use words to make their poems more impactful but if you aren't intending for a bunch of reluctant 14 year olds to have to write essays about how effectively you write, you don't have to use any of these.

No, it doesn’t ’matter’ in the least. If you want to write for others to read, or if you want to get published it would make sense to read a lot of recent poetry to get a feel for what’s in fashion, or you could check out the Poetry Society website to see if there’s a stanza group in your area. They are poets who meet to critique one another’s work, and there are groups all over the country.

Look online to see if there are any workshops you could join online, too. If it’s just for your enjoyment though, how can it possibly matter. Just enjoy it.

It doesn't need to rhyme.
Often, "poems" which rhyme are really just doggerel.

You’re writing as therapy, not initially as art, so the various structures and forms, which change all the time, don’t apply. Do what feels right.

Read poetry too. There’s a reason why these forms exist, which the poem
will show you. Even - especially- the apparently structureless ones. (They’re the tightest of all.) But you don’t have to copy it.

Thankyou ! I want to write for myself, I absolutely love writing poetry but it occurred to me that if I ever shared any at any point would I have written them completely incorrectly so I was worrying. I think sharing is probably either a long way off or maybe it will just be something I always do just for myself but I do sometimes look to see if there are any local writing groups

Writers who are any good write.

That’s all that matters. Incorrect is a bit of a red herring, cos there are mistakes you could make in a sonnet (definite rhyme schemes) but in blank verse (the ramble) it’s a question of whether it’s good, not right.

Onward and upward!

Thankyou I think I’m just doubting myself (and due to having ASD I always feel like I have to check im not doing things incorrectly!)

There isn’t really an ‘incorrect’ way to write poetry. There are poetic forms and structures and it is helpful to know about these, but there’s no need to view them as hard and fast rules. You might like to read ‘The Ode Less Travelled’ by Stephen Fry, which is a really good introduction to poetic forms but also makes clear that poetry is for everyone.

Thankyou I will definitely read that . I really appreciate the advice from everyone.

I'd bet my grandma the pp you're responding to was just a tongue in cheek reply to the op. 😁

Most poetry doesn't rhyme

If you're just writing for yourself then there is no incorrect way.

But here's a question - do you read poetry?

If you want to share with others at some point then you really should read a lot of poetry. I think someone who doesn't read poetry would struggle to write a "good" poem (good in the sense that other people will appreciate it).

Lord alive.

It doesn’t have to rhyme and a large amount of poetry doesn’t rhyme. There are forms of poetry, rhythm etc, but you can also write free verse which can be written however you like.

That is the absolute worst thing I hear people say about poetry - rhyming poetry certainly can be one element but there is far more to poetry, far far more. Personally I'd put end-rhyming at the very bottom of your list if you want to write meaningful, effective, affecting and interesting poetry - I tend to think people who focus on the end rhymes stop thinking about what they really want to communicate to the listener/reader, about what they really want to discuss - when they concentrate too much in the end-rhyme the direction and meaning of the poem tends to ricochet around in all directions - it's as though the words (the bullet) are in charge of writing the poem - not the writer (the gun).

I suggest you read around and see how other poetry writers actually tackle the subjects they write about - find some Ted Kooser, Simon Armitage, Billy Collins.... just start, write what the hell you want in whatever way you want - stick at it - you'll be working your way towards finding your own voice - the more you write (and read), the more you discover your own style. Really aim to enjoy the process - the whole process - of having an idea, starting to write something about that idea, especially the times when you really have to work at it after the initial spark almost dies, and on fashioning it into a finished piece you are satisfied with. One of my core ideas is that I look for, or take particular note of, are things that actually hard to put into words - these often make the most interesting and worthwhile challenges.

And to be in iambic pentameter, don’t forget.

If it’s just for you, then of course you can write free verse and there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
However, my personal opinion is that if you want other people to enjoy what you write, you need to learn to structure your poetry properly.
There’s a lot of technique involved in writing poetry. It’s a skill that needs to be developed and refined, just like with any other art form.
It should flow nicely so it sounds good and look good on the page as well as being evocative.

It doesn't need a form, no. There are various different poetic forms. As you just want to write, use free verse. No rhyme, iambic pentameter, etc. Naturally, you'll probably end up using poetic techniques without realising it. But free verse is a good place to start :)

FWIW I think free verse is harder to write (well) than poetry written in a form. It’s not about ignoring all the ‘rules’, it’s more about not having them to fall back on.

If the OP is looking for self-expression as opposed to the validation of other poets, none of that matters though.

Yes it’s just for myself but I feel that maybe at some point in the future if I found a local group and shared anything my concern is that it won’t be written correctly. I’m very low on self confidence and I tend to take criticism to heart so I was planning ahead and worrying do I need to conform to any poetry technicality, perhaps I’m over thinking it and applying masking to my writing as I do to my everyday existence ! I should look at it as something where i can be myself as this will most likely be something only i ever see !

That’s a great place to start. There isn’t a right or wrong way - just fashion.

If you are going to workshop work in a group at any point, it’s worth bearing in mind that not all feedback is good feedback. If you’re writing free verse about taking drugs, and someone else is writing heroic couplets about daffodils, their response to your work will quite likely reflect their own preferences. You will need to decide how much to take on board. If EVERYONE says ‘The start doesn’t work — cut the first stanza and start with line 5’ then start taking notice.

What you should definitely do is read lots of contemporary poetry so you can see what is possible in terms of theme and technique.

When you want to start learning properly, The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry is very helpful. I'm not a poetry fan, (prose is my thing), but I had to study it for my degree and that book was highly recommended.