What to Write Poetry About

So many times when you try to write poetry, you end up staring at the blank screen or page and your mind is every bit as blank as they are. Nothing happens because you can't think of anything to write about.

I have found a fantastic source of poetry material, something that won't dry up for a long time. And if you follow this idea, and run out of material, you won't care, because your life will better for having done it!

This idea came from a page on Oprah's site, a piece by Mike Robbins, who seems to often write and be on this website/show. I say 'seems to' because I don't watch Oprah or go to this website often. I don't mind if you don't believe me, because I know the truth and if you choose to not believe me, it won't affect how I feel at all.

Anyway, this is the page here

Feel free to go and have a look. You may feel differently about it than I do, but I'll tell you this - I loved it! I immediately posted it to my Facebook page with this comment:-

I just read this and love it deeply already. I have many flaws and I try very hard not to hate them. I am overall a good, but flawed person, just like everyone else. I love my flaws, I may try to write a poem about each and every one of them. It will be a middle sized collection by the time I've finished - I'm not big enough to have a huge collection of flaws!

So that is my plan for never running out of things to write about - Mind map one of your flaws, that is, write down anything that comes to mind when you think about the flaw. Don't edit your words, just get it all down on the page. Next, leave it for a while, or get onto it straight away if you want to. Different people work in different ways - whatever works for you is the right way!

Then, pick out the words and/or phrases that strike you as something true, then write them down and do a mind map on those too. By now you may well have the makings of a poem! If not, keep mind mapping until you feel there is something there to work with.

Write down the poem, think about it, edit it, think about it some more. When you are convinced you have it shaped into its best shape, leave it a bit longer. Then come back to it, edit it if necessary, and voila! You have a poem.

If you are the same as most people you have lots of flaws, and you have a nasty gremlin in your head who tells you about your flaws quite often. Now you have a double tool - you will be finding things to write about, and you will be silencing that nasty gremlin. I love these Win/Win situations!

So, next time you want to write poem, but can't think of what to write about, take the common advice - 'Write what you know'. What you know better than anyone is yourself. If you follow my advice you will be learning more about yourself and you may well be collecting a deep and meaningful collection of poetry.

Even if what you write is only relevant to you, it won't matter, because you will have been learning about yourself and becoming more mindful of the things that are true for you. This sort of creative writing therapy can be a great help in showing you the direction your life should be going.

I wish you happiness in your journey into your own mind!