Books You Can Borrow
from a public library...- The Haiku Handbook - William J. Higginson
- Ten Windows: How Great Poems Transform the World - Jane Hirshfield
- How to Read a Poem - Edward Hirsch
- A Poet's Glossary - Edward Hirsch
- The Poet's Handbook - Judson Jerome
- The Discovery of Poetry - Frances Mayes
- A Poetry Handbook - Mary Oliver
- Rules for the Dance - Mary Oliver
- Singing School - Robert Pinsky
- The Making of a Poem - Mark Strand, Eavan Boland
- The Book of Forms - Lewis Turco
Some Subjects to Search
Even more books exist under these subjects in the library catalog:- Creative Writing
- Poetics
- Prosody
- Poetry - Writing (or Poetr - Authorship)
- Versification
Finding Rhymes
Need some help with rhyming? Rhyming dictionaries also exist!You can always ask a librarian about any of these topics!
Websites
Some Websites You Can Visit to Learn More about Poetry...Some Tips
Here are a few helpful tips for your consideration...- Learning to write poetry can be fun, educational, even therapeutic and inspiring!
- Poetry can help us explore, express, and understand the world (and even ourselves) in new ways!
- A librarian can help you locate poetry collections (also known as poetry anthologies), and these can enable you to learn more about popular and classic poems as well as to help you gain a better sense of what kinds of poetic styles and topics you might like to explore in your own poetry.
- Attend poetry readings.
- Read poetry. Lots of poetry.
- Learn from the masters, then be resolved to do your own thing! Bring your own words and ideas into the world!
- Always be ready to write. Keep some paper and a pen or pencil handy so, when inspiration strikes, you're prepared! When it does, quickly write whatever thoughts come to mind. You can always revise later.
- Or, if you have a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, you can use a note-taking app to jot down ideas.
- Inspiration is everywhere! Step outside. Observe nature, people, plants, creatures, life.
- Let yourself be amazed by small things, common things, strange things, impossible things.
- Examine things, meditate on life, draw from memories and dreams.
- Be patient with yourself and your writing. Don't give up so quickly. Stick with it. See where it goes!
- Learning basic poetry concepts can help you understand how poems work and what makes a so-called good poem.
- If you can get to a public library, ask a librarian about the Poetry section, and spend some time browsing it.