Being a poet is being more open to the miracles of life. It is to allow yourself to experience the magic of being alive and to discover the secrets of life. This list contains the six best ways to help you grow as a poet and discover for yourself the beauty and wonder of poetry.
1. Write
You are a writer whenever you write; in the same vein, you are a poet when you write a poem. Therefore, write. Whenever you write, you share a part of your soul with the world. Writing is an act of love. Love deeply; write insanely. There are days when you feel that you cannot write anything – and that is normal. Sometimes you could lower your standard for a while and write a “bad” poem. The important thing is to write.
Be sure to always have something with you that you can write on. You do not know when the muse will come to tell you a story; and when she does, you have to be ready. Open your heart and embrace the world, see both the light and the darkness. Allow the miraculous currents of life to flood your soul – and write, write your heart.
2. Find your voice
Finding one’s true voice may take a long time, but it is a very important journey that all poets must take. It is only when you find your voice that you can write a poem of true beauty – because it is the poem that can only be told through your voice. It is the voice that knows the very secrets of the universe, the voice that speaks straight to the heart.
Reading the works of other poets can also help you to find your own voice; because by reading their works, you will realize what your voice is not, and by knowing what you are not, you will realize who you are.
Once you find your own voice, embrace it. Sing.
Finding one’s voice is not the end of poetry. Rather, it is a need, and a way for you to write more poems – poems that are more honest and true to your heart.
3. Read
Read and devour as much poems as you can, especially the verses written by the great authors. You will gain so much from reading their works. You will discover different styles and techniques. Try to spend some time analyzing a particular poem that you like so much, and ask yourself the following questions:
a. Why do you like it?
b. What metaphors did the author use and how did he use them?
c. Are there any improvements that you can make?
d. Are there valuable lessons in the poem that you can apply in real life?
Do not read a poem in the same way that you read a work of prose. Taste each line, savor every word. Know that by reading, you are eating the heart of a lover. Let go and feel the poem with your soul.
Be cautious of reading too much works by inexperienced authors because too much exposure to their writings has a tendency to corrupt your own style. Knowing your own voice will protect yourself from this undesirable influence.
Do not limit yourself to poetry. Read novels, watch movies, listen to music, play games, watch the stars at night, wonder. Open yourself and realize that poetry is inside you and all around you – this is the poetry of life.
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4. Think and feel as a poet
A true poet sees beyond what the ordinary humans see. He does not look merely with his eyes, but also with his heart. When he sees a woman’s skin, he does not only see the color of her skin, but he also sees how the woman takes care of her skin, and how it would feel to be touched by her skin, and to bask in her fragrance.
When you dive deep into the world of poetry, you will notice that your mind becomes more open, you would be sensitive to the emotions and energies all around you, and your heart beats with more love. Your eyes would be able to penetrate the fabric of reality and see deeper into truth. The miracles and magic of life will naturally unfold before you. Grab these moments – drown your heart in this ecstasy where strong feelings and thoughts fill every fiber of your soul. Allow the universe to embrace you – you deserve it.
5. Improve your style
From time to time, reflect about your poems. Think on how you can further improve your writing. Have you found your voice yet? Do your metaphors really capture the meaning of the poem that you wish to communicate to your reader? If you are already contented and happy with your poetry then great; but if you do not want to stay in your comfort zone, then think and make ways to further develop your craft.
It is important to note that you do not modify your poetry just to make it more pleasing to the world, just as your heart does not exist to please the people of this world. Realize that it is your heart and it is your own poetry.
6. Live your life
Mere literary techniques will not be able to allow you to craft timeless verses. Remember: A true poet does not live on a paper. Life is full of inspirations and miracles are happening everywhere. A true poet experiences the beauty and even the tragedy of life with a courageous and open heart.
He embraces everything with passion and love. The most inspired poems are those poems that capture a moment of life – that life overflowing with passion, love, beauty, faith, and truth. By immersing yourself deep in life, you will find the keys to the dreams and fantasies of the heart, which will lead you to craft poems of wonder.
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Being a poet does not mean spending countless of hours on a table with a pen and paper. Being a poet means embracing being a human, and that means accepting life. Thus, be open to life. Be happy, be sad, be a banker, a journalist, or even be a lawyer, fall in love, etc. Do not fear life – live it. Because life is poetry; and poetry is life.
Remember: Write. Write and live your poems.
