Message to a Young Poet

[Jassy Melson]

Begin the poem with a certain rhythm
and stay with that rhythm.
Prose poems are fine, but
they must at least contain a certain rhythm
to be considered a prose poem.

For example, in case you haven't guessed
this message is neither a poem
nor a prose poem. It is prose
divided by stanzas.

Never write or talk down
to the reader or listener.
Treat them as equals to yourself.

Relate to the listener or reader
Something they don't know.
Avoid telling them something
they already know.

Avoid generalities. If you are going to write
about love or hate or war or peace or death
or any other general thing, show
the reader or listener the thing, don't tell.
Compose your poem by showing the reader or listener
the smell of death, the sound of war, the feel of love,
you get the idea. Related to this is the use
of cliches. Avoid them when possible.

The poet should hope her or his message
is comprehended and appreciated
by the listener or reader. Anything else
is a bonus. Anything else
is probably undeserved.

I could relate more to you
but I think this is enough
for now. All serious poets
whether young or old know
too much of something
is just as bad as too little.

A final word: The ending of a poem
is just as important as the beginning.

[everyadventure]

There must be SOMEWHERE more permanent for this "poem" to go. And then whenever we critique a blatantly terrible piece, we can simply say, "Please refer to Jassy's Message to a Young Poet, S5, L1!"

[Jassy Melson]

I was tempted to entitle this as Advice to a Young Poet, but I figured some might object to the word advice and not read the thing.

[the facade]

Hey Jassy,

I myself am very new to poetry and am struggling with some elementary concepts. Any suggestions as to what good books (or any online source for that matter) that I can read to better grasp rhythm and metre?

Thanks a bunch

[Jassy Melson]

Just read as much poetry as you can stand.

[Ace]

I feel like this was aimed at me.

But I am no Poet, so I know this to be not true.

And in my mind, I am not so Young either.

Harsh realities have hacked my mind.

Carving incessant thoughts of displeasure.

How does one feel so much pain at this age?

Rather, how does one survive such pain?

[Jassy Melson]

You endure it, go through it, and come out the other side.