• No attention to meter or rhythm - Poetry can be rhyming or non-rhyming (free verse), but in either case it should follow a consistent pattern or beat. Amateur poets often set up a meter and then break it, or simply ignore meter altogether.
• Forced or bad rhymes - Rhyming poetry can be fantastic, but the rhyming words can be awkward or downright hilarious if the word choice is random. Some poets are so desperate to keep the previous line that they will use any rhyming word in the following line to keep it going.
• Clichés - One of the most wonderful aspects of poetry is the chance to hear objects, feelings and situations described in unique ways. Poems full of overused comparisons - “Her eyes were as blue as the sky,” “My heart beats like a drum,” “He ran like the wind,” and the like, are seen as unoriginal and lazy.
• Thinly disguised attempt to flatter or charm the subject of the poem - I have been guilty of this one in my teen years. Some poets write "to" the object of their affection, using the poem as a sort of persuasive letter set to rhyme. Unless the poet is exceptionally talented, this is usually a disaster in the poetic sense.
• Thinly disguised rant about life - Similar to the "I love you" poem, some poets use poetry as an outlet to gripe about their lives. Usually no one cares except the "poet."
• Cookie-cutter, “me-too,” unoriginal - These are usually found in Hallmark cards. The rhyme and meter is correct, the words are pleasant, but no new ground is broken. The reader won't remember the poem five minutes after it has been read. Poetry should be chocolate for the senses…Rich in the mind, pleasant to the mouth and a bit intoxicating!
• Overused, conventional themes - Some subjects have been "done to death" in poetry. Easily the most overused topic of all time is love, followed by exhausting descriptions of nature, weather, etc. The more original the topic of the poem, the less chance that it will tread on familiar ground or be underwhelming.
• Preachy propaganda set to rhyme - Writing poetry about the things that you believe in is a good idea. Using poetry as a blunt weapon to hammer your point home to the reader regardless of poetic integrity is not.
• Pedestrian language, no nuances - Vocabulary and a mastery of nuance is essential to good poetry. Poetry should be as precise as possible. Vague simple words like "good," bad,' "love," and "honesty" should be replaced with either exact descriptions of what you mean or more accurate words.
• Too common of description - This is a close cousin to the previous point. Poetry that is lazy uses the obvious descriptions - bark is rough, wind is cold, the waves pound the shore. Good poetry makes these descriptions come alive through great metaphor and odd yet evocative comparisons.

The Bottom Line: Now that you know what not to do, you have a starting point!

Poetry is quite a bit trickier to teach than storytelling, mainly because of the closer emotional bond that the poet has with his work. Many poets are under the belief that anything they write is "right" because it comes from their emotional center - thus, they resist any attempt at criticism or efforts to alter their work in any way. Because of this philosophy, bad poetry is allowed not only to exist but to flourish (I will define "bad poetry" in the first lesson). If a student wishes to improve their craft, it is essential to shed some ego and admit that there is in fact room for improvement.

As I proceed both in my real-life classroom and in my lessons online, I welcome questions, comments and suggestions. My curriculum is still being developed, so it is quite possible that I may overlook an important aspect of poetry. As with the Storytelling lessons, I will focus less on the technical aspects and more on the finer points of poetry.

This is a virtual library provided for public use by the New York State Library and is accessable for all residents of New York City. To use the system, you would have to enter a library card number from one of the library systems located in New York City or be a subscriber of institutions or schools that participate in the program. It has a wide collection of library research material and books made available to users virtually.

African American Women Writers of the 19th Century:

This website focuses on African American women who made literary and cultural contribution to the African American society during the 19^th century. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has a collection of about 52 different books or literary works that were published in a period where freed African Americans were being introduced into mainstream American literary world. Works include Phillis Wheatly (1773), Ann Plato (1841), Harriet Wilson (1859) and many others.

Literary Encyclopedia: Literature in English Around the World:

The Literary Encyclopedia is a vast database that is only available to subscribers unless your school or library is already a subscriber, then you need to get a access code. It has global literary reference work from over 2000 universities, countless amounts of authoritative authors and over ridiculous amount of books and resources written in English, French, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Greek and every other country, genre or time period you can image. So yes, it is a great resource but you will have to pay $19.99 to use for a whole year.

Internet Public Library: Literary Criticism:

The Internet Public Library or IPL contains vast amounts of criticisms about the lives and works of various authors from multiple nationalities, titles and time periods. Now only does it show you western authors and literature, but it also offers criticisms on Eastern Literature such as Indian authors and books, African and Middle Eastern literary works.

Literary History:

Academic, scholarly, and critical articles on British poets, novelists, playwrights, essayists, and biographers of the twentieth century, nineteenth century, and eighteenth century; and on American poets, novelists, playwrights, and essayists of the twentieth century and nineteenth century. All articles are open access and free.

Literary Resources on the Net:

Maintained by a so-called Jack Lynch of Rutgers, this website offers a wide array of articles and journals as well as biblical, theory and British literature. The site is free for all to access and neatly breaks down all of its resources into categories you can easily navigate through.

Celebration of Women Writers:

This website offers only literary works written by women throughout history and includes all races, time periods and nationalities. The site includes books, poems, letters, religious commentaries, economic and scientific works for the only reason of celebrating women's success in the world of literature.

Glossary of Literary Criticism:

The site offers various terms from A-Z and how various authors defined, used or incorporated those terms into their literary work. The site also keeps a good bibliography of various quotes and sources so if you write the author into your research paper, you can cite the source easily.

Christian Classics:

Known as Christian Classics Ethereal Library or CCEL, the site keeps various literary works by Christian authors and or topics dealing with Christianity. The writings include Protestant denominations, Catholic and Orthodox churches and various other faith based community works or theological discourse about Christianity.

Glossary of Poetic Terms:

The site has thousands upon thousands of terminology and terms used in poems and many literary key words. The site is a nice guide on literary vocabulary and offers links to Poets, poems and their criticisms.

The Literature Network: Virginia Woolf:

Virginia Woolf is an English author from 1882 to 1941 and died by drowning herself in a local river. But during her lifetime, she wrote numerous works that still draw countless fans to celebrate her birthdays, life and works. The site offers over 2800 books, articles and journals written by Woolf or her fans.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman:

The site offers numerous works by Perkins before she died and commentary by scholars and students on her works. This is a good resource for anyone writing any articles on the Yellow Wallpaper or other curious works she had written.

Contemporary Literary Criticism/Contemporary Authors:

You can access Gale Databases through this link and it is a powerful resource used by libraries to go through periodicals, reference materials and primary sources. Most libraries, schools, universities and institutions have access to this database and you can get the login information from with no cost or extra fees.

LITFINDER:

Another resource like the gale database, it has vast resources and databases for literary works and their criticisms. The site also includes a citation generator for various formats like MLA. You would need to contact your institution

Creative Writers do not adhere themselves to the norms of their society and literary standards. They are more like day-dreamers who sketch their visualized castles on paper and are repeatedly accused of irrational themes, deconstructive thoughts and notions. Remarkable as it may seem, their work arises much curiosity, fame and prosperity as opposed to a traditional writers predictable context. They tend to break all rules and free themselves from daily constraints of reality. Their theories may seem neurotic in pattern and mystic in nature simply because they have merged visionary faith into their literature. Such an example is prevalent in William Shakespeare’s earliest comedies, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which chants creative imagination empowered with the supernatural world. Similarly my prose is not limited to the domains of current traditions and morals and I have resolutely fastened myself to an invigorating and innovation point of view. My advice to you therefore is to acknowledge and accept that human conditions existed, exist and will exist furthermore but to be able to do something about them is my fellow- Americans our true honor. We may state, ‘I am the poet of the body, and I am the poet of the soul.’ (Whitman)

Where to Begin

Read

Reading can invoke your inner most thoughts. You need to read as much as possible to identify and personalize your writing style. Initially you may read only non-fiction or mystery but exploring diverse genres of literature opens your minds to accept different styles of narration. Being raised in an urban family with no affordable tutors to aid my education, I began self- studying the works of Homer, Dante, Shakespeare and the Bible. My inspiration vastly came from these primary selections of books although meager. I soon started crafting ideas and penned my emotions. Little did I know that these very books would inspire my substantial quotes to later pioneer American Literature (Walt Whitman). You may feel the urge to rewrite a paragraph or verse.

In your own solace, you may want to pen down your thoughts upon finishing a certain chapter. Various ideas may flash through your mind as you summarize a chapter or pen down your reactions and when you finish, your inspiration will stare back at you in big bold font. Do not worry yourself with Ethics and Norms. As a free will writer you gradually learn the art of expressing your personal heart-felt, provocative and intrusive ideas and are never afraid to take on an opponent in your game of words. ‘O the joy of the strong-brawn'd fighter, towering in the arena in perfect condition, conscious of power, thirsting to meet his opponent.’ (Whitman Walt, Complete Poetry and Selected Prose) Rest assured your logic will one day be evaluated, preserved, and dignified.

Test Your Idea

‘To have great poets, there must be great audiences too.’ -Walt Whitman

People all around tend to evaluate your potential based on which you may excel as a writer. Expose your work to masses and consume their reaction. You may be bombarded with Criticism as critics can be looked upon as consumers of able authors and their calculated opinions are widely accepted in markets only to earn a fortune out of literate mishaps. They limit our speech and want to dictate leadership. If a writer accepts their judgment, he forever remains within their designed boundaries, never again able to inscribe advancements in his career. Likewise he may only listen to expected dignitaries and do no good for the human race. My critics believed that my prose drew me closer to the readers of the British Isles-- where I was first "appreciated and recognized as a major poet". They were indeed my inspiration as my literature knew no boundaries. Critics burn and sore your fingers for penning down themes much to their dislike and horror. Do not be disheartened as this is just the beginning of your Revolution.

I recall an incident, ‘When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with such applause in the lecture room, how soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick; Till rising and gliding out, I wandered off by myself, in the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, looked up in perfect silence at the stars.’

Get Involved

You need to contribute your efforts to the society you live in. Look around you and what do you see: Famine, Drought, Corruption, Immorality, Rapes and Abuses. I encourage all to tell the story of their own community in verse or writing.

Through my poetry, I have depicted the horrors of the society I had lived in. I started work at a young age and was forever on the move. My strong desire to help humanity led me to Manhattan and Brooklyn where I worked as a printer and journalist. I then became a contractor and delved in Real Estate. While in New Orleans, I witnessed the foul conditions of slavery. The experience brought along deep misery and discontent. Realizing their pain, I wrote down the emotions which intruded my conscious. The American democratic and Idealistic view did not support my content but I endeavored nevertheless to lessen their misery and depict inhumanity in my prose. I began to write about the horrors and neglect of that human condition. At the same time, the Mexican War intruded upon my conscience. Oppression, dishonor, and compassion for the poor and downtrodden were the backdrops which become the central themes of my poetry (Walt Whitman).

Originally hailing from Long Island, my father was actively involved in the Political circle. He likewise invoked a patriotic pride in me (Walt Whitman). ‘I hear America singing, the ’ (Leaves varied carols I hear, those of mechanics—each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands; The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s, on his way in the morning, or at the noon intermission, or at sundown; The delicious singing of the mother—or of the young wife at work—or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to her and to none else; (Leaves of Grass)

Conclusion

To masses of people, students, poets, democrats and writers of the past and present era.

‘Loafe with me on the grass- loose the stop from your throat: Not words, not music or rhyme I want- not custom or lecture, not even the best; only the lull I like, the hum your valved voice.’’ (Leaves of Grass)

Recommended Reading

These poems emphasize the past democracy in America and hold the key of motivation and inspiration for young authors and followers:

"Leaves of Grass"

"Children of Adam"

"Calamus": (In association with the calamus PLANT and Kalamos, a God in antique mythology who was transformed with grief by the death of his lover, the male youth Karpos. In addition, the calamus plant's central characteristic is a prominent central vein that is phallic in appearance.

"We Two Boys Together Clinging"

"When I Read the Book" & ‘’Song of Myself’’ (Personal appraisals)

"When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer." (Learning while in a Classroom)

"The Wound Dresser" (Later set to music by John Adams)

"Come Up from the Fields Father" (The effects of war)

"Dalliance of the Eagles,"(A Colorful explications of sex- in mid-Victorian era)

‘’Death Bed’’ (After a stroke- nearing Death)

Analysis

Emily Dickinson is a poetess to be remembered. The lonely woman from Massachusetts spent most of her life being depressed inside of her home while writing some of the most beautiful poetry about the many details of the world. She's most known and famous for having been cooped up all the time inside her house, but still having a fantastic, wise, and detailed look at the world. Her complete set of poems delves into life, nature, love, and time. In her poem, “#1129”, she brilliantly uses her simple two stanzas and easy rhyme scheme to juxtapose truth, light, and lightning to symbolize enlightenment in society, but not without her trademark dash.

A very famous story in the realm of philosophy is by Plato in his book The Republic. The story was called “The Allegory Of The Cave” and it refers to and simplifies the idea of enlightenment. In the story, a man is chained to the inside of a cave with a few other individuals in front of a weak glowing fire that occasionally creates little shadow puppets on the wall. The people inside of the cave have always been chained down there and know nothing of what is outside the cave. The people in the cave have just been sitting against a wall looking at another wall with a fire behind it and sometimes they see shadow puppets made with the fire on the ceiling. All the people are trapped in the cave until the man breaks his chains and climbs up the hill to the outside world. His eyes take a long time to adjust to the sun's rays and it's too much of a painful shock to know that there was an entire world out there after being trapped inside the cave for so long. Emily Dickinson was using this story in her poem “#1129”.

Emily Dickinson's first lines in “#1129” deals with sugar coating the enlightenment from coming out of cave so they can handle it better, “Tell all the Truth, but tell it slant/ Success in Circuit lies“ (1-2). A Utopian society requires an enlightened public and an enlightened public requires the truth, but the truth is hard to handle. Emily is asking us to try to understand the truth in the world, but we sort of need to sugar coat it so it isn't so much of a painful experience for those who cannot swallow the fact that we have been lied to about what the world is really like. Slanting does not mean changing the truth it just means making it easier to understand and grasp, that way we'd have more success in creating a Utopian society if we were trying for one.

After the person leaves the cave and starts to taste and understand all that the real world has to offer they understand that the world is a beautiful place and life is so much more precious and wonderful than it was in the gloomy cave. This is written in the next few lines, “too bright for our infirm Delight, the Truths' superb surprise” (3-4). Infirm is defined as weak in body, so “our infirm Delight” means the pointless shadow puppets on the wall do not mean anything compared to the truthful, real, and beautiful pleasures of life outside the cave. Enlightenment is really just how life is better when you have a greater understanding of the world.

After the person exits the cave in the story and gains a greater understanding of life and has a feeling that he's better off out there, he decides that everyone is better off being outside the cave. He then goes back and tries to tell people of how wonderful it is outside, but only one person believes him and tries to leave the cave. When the other person tries leave the cave it's too much for him and he goes back inside. “As Lighting to the Children eased/ With explanation kind” (5-6). The other person that leaves the cave is not a child, but may be uneasy like one. The truth can be ugly and disturbing to those that didn't discover it on their own similar to a lightning bolt in the night waking a sleeping child. You absolutely do not try to scare a child more when they're already afraid, a sane person would try to calm the kid down with kindness, but still remember that children can handle just as much as anyone else.

The proverb “Children are our future” means that the way we raise our children today determines how our society will end up tomorrow. If we continue on our current path of raising unenlightened kids without the ability to think critically we will continue to see absolutely no improvement in society whatsoever. Children have the incredible ability to grasp huge issues in today's society, but the reason we never tell them anything important about the world is because we believe ourselves superior and we don't think they can handle it. We can improve and fix our society by simply being slowly blunt with the younger generations today. Hence the line, “As Lightning to the Children eased” (5). Lightning is scary at first, children will be afraid of what the world is really like at first, but eventually they can grow accustomed to the problems of today and see that no more come up in the future.

The last two lines are a message from the beautiful mind of Emily Dickinson that she wants to see something better, “The Truth must dazzle gradually/ Or every man be blind” (7-8). This major flaw of today will be the downfall of humankind for if people never learn to think, feel, and see at a very young ages, then “every man be blind” (8).

The point of view from this poem seems to be sort of a mix of first and third person perspectives. You can tell that this is one person talking to you, but they seem almost omniscient about life through the very small amount of two stanzas as if they were almost third person. “#1129” is an incredible poem for being so short. There's so much in so very few amount of words. Emily also leaves cool hints about the main points of her poem. All the most important words of the poem are capitalized

Poetry is about analyzing words on the deepest levels of poetic emotion to understand what the poet or poetess is trying to say without being boring and literal about it. Great poetry comes from any great piece of inspiration that the poet may feel during their life. Emily Dickinson obviously felt a lot of great things during her more probable frequent trips into self-discovery, life, love, nature, and time.

1. lyric
2. narrative
3. dramatic

Even though lyrical poetry by far is the most common type of poetry I can honestly say that it is also a personal favorite.

I've learned that reading and writing poetry must all play hand in hand. To get the true understanding of poetry, it is important to feel what is written. Emotions and past experiences play a vital role in a poet's writings. Reflections of the past and present also contribute to a poet's outcome. Poetry is a passion, a love much greater than life itself. A poem isn't always clear or affects a certain reader as it would another. But a true poet comes from within, illustrating feelings or ideas and searching for other souls that grasp an understanding.

There are many talented poets that have taken advantage of this commonly misunderstood literature. Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, William Shakespeare and E.A. Poe are just a few of the most talented poets from past to present. Each made history with the writings of their personal expressions and experiences of love, joy, pain, struggle and fears. Being a poet has many advantages. At that present time, that very moment, that very second, every feeling and emotion is sincere. Every idea and every thought is an original.

Because of this one on one feeling, the tendency of being secluded on a desert island suddenly becomes a reality. Poetry indeed is a true form of art and with rhythm and sound; the elements are just like music. A written expression best describes a personal poem. A hobby that is found to be most enjoyable when time allows peace and serenity. It is then where an inner voice speaks to your mind that flows through a pen onto paper. Personal feelings are now enjoyed once you've read what has been written. This is the make up of a true poet and that is what I am. Please follow me as I give you a glimpse of my chemistry.

This is what I needed to know, so I became a poet for the site. I waited and waited for a client, and then finally I got one! I went through the processes, wrote the poem to the clients specs, and then I was paid through PayPal . At first, I thought, “two measly dollars!”, but then I realized that I had made two dollars off of eight lines of work. I thought that was pretty good! Since the site is extremely new, not many people knew about it! I called friends and family and asked them to buy a poem. After ten referrals, My Personalized Poem gave me a ten dollar bonus, and I was not expecting that!

People often think that the love of poetry is dead. This site opened my eyes and made me realize that that is not necessarily true. People still need poetry for many reasons. This website is great because the clients that request the poems need them for school projects, for gifts, or they need them to publish on websites like Triond.com in order to make money. The clients actually own the rights to the poems that they buy, so there is no fear of their poem being posted on the internet or printed somewhere else.

I am just so incredibly happy that poetry is still in full swing. People write poetry everyday and it emits so much emotion. It means different things to different people, but no matter what, it is still needed. That is what makes me happy. Also, knowing that I can make someone's life just a little bit brighter keeps me writing.