Comments on: Unwritten Poetry Rules

By: deborah

deborah — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:00:29 +0000

@Matt — It’s all about finding what works for you.

@Billy — Thanks. I’ll take a look at your post tomorrow. Er, today? It’s late.

By: Billy

Billy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:26:31 +0000

For some more commentary on rule No.1 posted above, I offer Stephen Dunn’s “Decorum” —
http://polymexina.livejournal.com/687211.html?thread=1531755

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:00:12 +0000

I don’t think fuck is “easy”–I think it has very specific connotations that you can’t get with any other word. There’s a big difference between “fuck” and “make love” or “engage in sexual intercourse with”. (Fuck is also an onomatopoeia.)

I also think there are a lot of great poems that mention “a bird”.

And for me, wildly staggered line-lengths can be very pleasing to the eye.

By: deborah

deborah — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:25:21 +0000

the=they I guess we’re two peas in a pod as far as typos, Collin.

By: deborah

deborah — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:24:58 +0000

Collin — You have a point. For me, though, I have to stick to number four at the very least. I overuse those words, so that’s why the ended up on my hit list.

By: World Class Poetry Blog » Blog Archive » More Poetry Rules, Critical Dichotomies, And Your Own Style

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:15:03 +0000

[...] Ager’s unwritten poetry rules. I like Nos. 1 & 2, and have always obeyed No. [...]

By: Mark Goodyear

Mark Goodyear — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:00:09 +0000

I have one rule: never write a poem without having read 2 or 3 good poems first–classic and current.

Nothing inspires good poetry like good poetry.

By: Collin Kelley

Collin Kelley — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:21:01 +0000

nut=but

By: Collin Kelley

Collin Kelley — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:20:46 +0000

I think 1. and 4. is an idea, nut not very practical. I think you can use any of those words if the other words and lines around them are strong and supportive.