A Quick Guide to Poem Writing

Poem writing is as easy as math. Besides working hard on rhyme that makes our words sound like a poem, what’s left for us to do is combine our life observations in a more unruly way. (Right, it’s just like doing some “topological extension” in math.)

“The flowers are blooming”, for example, sounds very beautiful, but not that special. Yet, we can be more open-minded and let them bloom rhythm instead of flowers, and then mix some unusual adjectives in. So, now it becomes “Carefree flowers are blooming rhythm intoxicating the sun.” See? It doesn’t only intoxicate you but also the sun overhead. That’s how a poetic sight is created.

In a similar way, breezes don’t have to bring us fragrance but they can bring emotions like nostalgia or melancholy. You don’t have to head toward your home but you can set off to eternity or forgetting on the ever-diverging road. You don’t have to read books but you can read poignant years under your study lamp.

Ivan Zhanhu Feng
Oct 23, 2022
At Fairmont Apt., LA