Writing Poetry

The journey through the creative process varies with the individual. For some (as with Mozart for example,) the process is a stream of intuitive impulse (as if taking dictation.) For many of us however, the path to revelation winds though the dark forest of the subconscious. For Wordsworth, the poetic voice takes its origin from "emotion recollected in tranquility," while Keats’ contemplation of death elucidates higher truth. It is helpful for any aspiring artist to develop their own unique aesthetic, i.e.: a set of underlying rules or principles that demarcate the parameters of your creative flow. Perhaps if you write enough poetic fragments, perhaps they will unite seamlessly under a prevailing principle.

The conceptual artist Bruce Nauman said 'a lot of poetry is just lists'.

Everyone's going to have their own view, but what I think poetry is not is trying to express an idea you've already got. You can always see when people have done this and it always ends up looking forced. I like it as a way of exploring.