How do i regain my poetic skills?

Question

My poetic mind, poetic inclination and poetic inspration has rung dry. I have been writing nothing but crappy poetry lately. I used to write better before (according to personal evaluation).

Any idea on how to regain the art of poetry, the spirit of poetry, poetry skills, inclination, etc. ?

Answer 1

The key to poetry is a complete understanding of the language it is in, the syntax of the language, and the vocabulary. Sometimes for me something as simple as a random word int he dictionary inspires me. I open the book and randomly pick a word, I read its etymology and all definitions. Then i think of how the word came to be and all things associated with the word. From there a story will unfold in my mind, or a thought will bloom, and I pen what i feel and go from there.

Answer 2

Practice.

Try looking at other poetry for inspiration,

and use a thesaurus often!

Answer 3

I look over the stuff i wrote way back then and critique it as if someone else had written it. Also critique other poetry i find  useful.

I remember your early poetry as being about your life experiences so if you have no "drama" going on at the moment it will be difficult for you. However, "drama" doesn't have to be real so perhaps invent some then write about it. Just make it clear that it is fictitious.

Answer 4

In my opinion, the only way to accomplish this goal is to write, write, write.  You need to get your consciousness on track again.  Don't ever edit while you are writing. Write down the ideas, put them into poetic form and THEN worry about editing. Focus on the world around you, take your ideas from what you see, hear, smell, touch, taste and read.

Answer 5

Dear Crappy Writer,

Absinthe aside, try penning some short poetic responses to some questions posed on this site.  One poem I wrote started as a short response to a question you had asked about leaving.  About a week later I revisited it and as if by magic, the words flowed.  Muses strike at odd times to me and I do profess to having a lot of less than stellar efforts, but they stay.  One I revised after 30 years!  For now, go work out with Mr. McDreamy!  Sweat never hurt anyone, especially if it is for a good reason!

Answer 6

Read a dictionary.

Answer 7

Follow this link

http://www.uncg.edu/~htkirbys/meters.htm

and do a bit of reading and surfing.  It should get you in the mood to write, then look around you and find something intriguing and write about it.  If you need a break, take it until you get inspired again, but don't force it.

Answer 8

first  start  by  learning  what  words  mean  and  how  they  are  used

eg  rung dry?

typically  people  refer  to  a  imaginination  as a well or  river that  has  "RUN" dry.

  

you  could  say  "has  been  wrung  dry"  as  with  a  sponge  but    is  a transitive  verb and is  used and spelled  differently than  you  have done.

You  need  to learn  the  language  before  you  can  be  artistic  with  it

Answer 9

I have been going through the same thing lately, and I've come to realize that poetry, and the whims of the random muses, are like life, full of ups and downs. When we face these in life, the worst thing to do is shut down, we must press on. Therefore, I will apply the same advice to poetry. Write, even if its crappy, that way all the junk won't build up and when you feel the touch of inspiration again, have to let itself out in some mediocre works that could be truly inspirational. I know your poet's soul, and that doing work you consider shoddy is repulsive, but sometimes the only way to see the light is to make sure there's nothing blocking the tunnel. Write, write for your anger, your frustration, and your lack of inspiration. Oh, god, that rhymed. Sorry. But seriously, apply some angry fires to your pen, and what comes may surprise you. Blessed Be.