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Writing Frustrated Poetry
by
Robert Betts
(Age: 67)
copyright 05-16-2001
Age Rating: 13 +
Lately I have been reading up on various forms of poetry to add to my knowledge. In the process I came across something which I think is quite important and explains why some poems breathe while others simply fall flat. Examine this: Is it poetry?:
Roses are red,
violets are blue,
sugar is sweet,
and so are you!
Quite trite I'll admit but actually worth an examination. Rhyme is perfect... syllables are exact - 4 per line... But... I find it quite flat as I'd guess most people will. Why?
The secret is lack of an obstacle. A what you ask? Quite simply if the poet was able to solve his problem, he wouldn't bother writing about it. He would simply fix the problem and get on with his life. True poetry finds its expression and origin in a problem which the author cannot solve... He is frustrated. So he writes out his frustration.
now look at this:
I'm not a poet I know very well,
and if you're an expert, I'm sure you can tell.
I'm only trying to say what I think,
even though you may think that I stink.
I really don't mind what I might say,
for I am just passing the day,
setting my feelings and thoughts into words,
ones I can sing to all the birds.
Frustration? You bet. This author is frustrated with his lack of ability and also with the perceived notion that no one ever listens to him. Does it breathe? Judge for yourself.
So... get frustrated and write teriffic poetry!
This series will continue with the following structure: First I will deal with the heart of poetry which is rhythm and meter. Next rhyme and finally the various formal structures.
bob
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Comments on this Article/Poem:
Click on the commenter's name to see their Author's Page
03-22-2013
Rachel Brown
Bob,
I appreciate all the inspiration given on this page.
thanks so much and it helps a great deal with the way I write my poetry.
Much gratitude and respect.
Once again thank you for the advice as well given too.
Your Friend,
Rachel
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03-20-2013
betterthingstocome
Hello Bob
Thank you for the inspiration. I very much enjoyed how you were able to describe with examples of why one works and the other may not.
I was also greatly inspired by the comments that others had posted.
I really didn't understand exactly how each of the parts you wrote about heart (meaning content and wordage), rhythm (meaning words that sound alike), and meter (meaning the count to each line) significantly makes or breaks the writing as a poetic work.
Now after reading your reference information I am going to have to go back over what I have written to see where I might be going wrong :(
Thank you for sharing this information with new writers such as myself. I am very new to putting my thoughts to paper (or in this case to anything-lol). I am learning a bit here and there.
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11-26-2009
Cynthia Baello
Very informative and quite a revelation. I read this piece and see how many poets describe their "ramblings" (random words) as poems. I consider a poem as a collection of words that rhyme and are counted (meter) which express an idea, thought, emotion, or conclusion. Dorothy Parker is one poet I like for her simplicity, "Razors pain you, Rivers are damp; Acids stain you, Drugs cause cramp; Guns aren't lawful, Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live." (There is rhyme, content/meaning, and there is impact/conclusion at the end line.
I have seen several sites were "poets" post a series of ten to fifteen poems in one sitting, all without coherent message/argument/premise, and "hang" altogether as a group of words disguised as poetry. It is like reading a maze and trying to get out of a verbal puzzle.
David Lewis Paget, a modern-day Welsh narrative poet, said that "poems that lack rhyme and meter may fly, but they will not soar."
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06-14-2008
markshire
I will most deff using this adivce when writing poems for now on. Lately I have been very frustrated why writing poems and need a little extra encourgement and and this advice is it.
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03-29-2007
Christina Johnson
a very good poem for fans to read.
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07-10-2006
Tammy Frascona
In one of my poems I commented saying that this was my best work ever because I was frustated beyond imagination and it truely helped, So I am one to back this up 100%. I like how you give us all something to work for and help us reguardless of the fact that you are the Big Man On Campus! I really like you Robert and I like your thoughts and I hope you continue to be genuine!
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04-10-2006
Daniel R Patton
Advise taken, I'll try to remember this.
THANK YOU
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01-11-2006
Richard Reed Jr
The idea light went on in my brain as I read this. I felt a flash of enlightenment.
Thank You Robert!
Rich
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06-18-2005
Andrew Findlay
It's also an ironic poem, because though he is writing about his frustration at not being able to write good poetry, he is obviously able to do so.
Most of the poems I write have an informal structure, but I try to give them a certain 'beat'.
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04-08-2004
Praveen Agnihotri
Poetry is higher form of language,where ordinary language becomes lame poetry comes into picture.Poetry is recreation of the feelings in the heart of reader or the listener.
If anybody agrees with then he will agree that rhythm and meter are important but only secondary to the feelings.
Rhythm and meter creates the environment in which a particular feelings could be easily recreated.
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08-26-2003
Jennifer Walker
Sounds like me. Good job.
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11-25-2002
Walter Jones
I beleive the beauty of the word far out weighes the way it is said, the image that is created far out distances the rhyme or the meter, the glory of life is in all that we see and share. The comunication is alive when another takes away something of value from what they read. Creativity is not dead, but sometimes get lost in a effort to make it fit into this or that. Poetry is the exception to the rule that is often acceptable.
Walt
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09-11-2002
Aaron Schmookler
Bob,
I agree wholeheartedly with some of what youar esaying here. There's a good deal of poetic writing (even here at PnP) that lacks the conflict, the struggle, the journey, that makes poetry live and stick in our craw and make us yearn to read more beautiful writing. Where I disagree with you is in your identification of the heart of poetry. I would say, this frustration that you speak of the the true heart of poetry. Rhyme and rythm, these are important, and set poetry apart from prose.
I say again, frustration and struggle are required. And economy. Economy. A few words, carefully chosen and orchestrated should speak volumes to a readers soul. This economy too sets poetry apart from prose.
Thank you for working to inspire us all to superior work.
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09-06-2002
Irina Guschina
Dear Bob!
You're so much right.Rhythm and meter is the heart of poetry... I hope one day the heart of my poems will be beating... I always read the your articles and they help me to understand very main things in poetry. Thank you!
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08-29-2002
Audrey Sullivan
this is so true,,,i beleve,your right on the money about,and this is'nt funny,you are good.
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03-13-2002
Karyn Khaki Hughes
Free verse, in fact, removes the pressure from those of us with limited rhythm, and screwy verbal skills. I have read that it displays laziness. Well, most people who try it will see that true free verse requires as much effort as anything. I grew into haiku, a rhythmic form, and counting syllables and conforming my thoughts to a set rhythm, is work, and avoiding that rhythm, or trying to avoid controlling your writing in any form in order to write free verse is far from lazy. I resent the idea that free verse is lazy.
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02-15-2002
Betty Eskdale
Glad to get your help, thanks Bob!
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11-28-2001
Paulette Weaver
great piece, Bob, you are awesome...sometimes, though, in the very act of writing, begets a solution...we all have a different means to an end...I think it really depends on who is doing the reading and what they are trying to glean out of that experience...same for who is doing the writing...many lovers of poetry and writers of prose, alike, are doing just that, looking for answers and many are just looking, maybe just to savor the beauty of the words...
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04-01-2001
David Taub
Regarding 'rhyme & meter', the truth is that most people find it much harder than they care to admit. I respect those who openly admit it, rather than the "well it's not in fashion, etc.," excuses many trot out.
Like any other 'art' or 'skill' it takes time, patience and 'experimentation'. In this day and age of the 'fast food syndrome', it's easier just to go with whatever can done as quickly and with least amount of effort possible.
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04-01-2001
M.E. (Bunny) Eastveld
The closest that I can come to formal rhyming verse is limericks. (Unfortunately, those are mostly offensive...) I get frustrated and write free verse (badly). Thanks, Bob, This was quite informative. Bunny
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