How to Revise/Edit a Poem

Edit/Review Poetry

Post headerHow to Edit/Revise a Poem

By

Larry Boggan

Edit/Review Poetry

    I appreciate your interest in poetry. I would like to discuss the writing and revision of free verse poetry. First, examine your style, including its strengths and limitations. Reflect on how your poetry has evolved over time, where you currently stand, and where you intend to take your writing. Begin by checking your poem for consistency to ensure a repetitive rhythm, even in areas of intentional vagueness typical of surrealistic or abstract poetry. There should be a clear direction amid the ambiguities, guiding the reader toward a purposeful, though not always understandable, meaning. Emphasize both the subjective and objective elements while remaining true to the primary intent of the poem. Remember that excessive words may be distracting—trim them, then trim some more. Continue cutting until you have a bare-bones poem. Modern poetry should focus on the emotional core, the poem’s heart. The reader should feel a poignant connection to the poem’s message. Regardless of the type of poetry you write, imagery is essential. Always consider substituting keywords or images during the revision process. Utilize a thesaurus for revision, try to find rhyming synonyms, and help maintain rhythm. Avoid colloquial terms unless you have a specific audience that favors slang and informal, regional, or cultural expressions. An example would be:  

When People Ask

By

Stephanie Schlaifer

From: Bitter Southern Poetry, Vol 2

https://bittersoutherner.com/bitter-southerner-poetry-vol-2

Moving Through the South is available at the URL of the abovementioned newsletter.

Next:

Edit the opening and closing lines:

The opening line is essential and must be carefully crafted. The first line gives the reader an idea about the subject and texture of the poem. It is the hook, the motivator, the instigator—NOT THE ELEMINATOR! The opening line provides an idea or suggestion of what the poem is about and what the poet is attempting to do. The entire poem rests on the first line. Spend the time to make it right. The middle of the poem tells the story. Make sure it is emotive and supports the first line. Now, the ending. The ending makes the poem memorable. The ending is more than a summary. It is the slamming of the poem’s door. Slam it hard!

Here are some examples of closing lines:

Taken from Contemporary American Poetry

Edited by Donald Hall

Poet: Denise Levertov

Poem: The Springtime.

The rabbits will bare their teeth at the spring moon.

Poet: Robert Bly

Poem: Poem in three Parts.

Where we shall sit at the foot of a plant,

And live forever like dust.

Poet: Sylvia Plath

Poem: Words

While

From the bottom of the pool, fixed stars

Govern life.

 

The Last Thing:

 

Read your poem out loud. If you have a recording device, record yourself and replay the poem. You will want to identify any blocks to the flow of the poem. A word that doesn’t fit, or a line that ends abruptly or continues too long, is a hindrance. Pay close attention to the rhythm. Do you need to change the structure of the poem’s lines to achieve a better flow/rhythm? Experiment with the format by changing the lines to achieve a different melody or cadence of the poem. Then, pick the format best suited for the rhythm you want to attain. In other words, treat it like a song.

I Hope these comments and examples are helpful. Thanks again for reading, and be sure to follow me on Facebook, Medium, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also check out my website and email me at the email addresses in my biography.

©

Bio:

Larry attended college on the GI Bill, earning five degrees, the highest being an Educational Specialist degree. He also holds two master’s degrees, the most recent in creative writing (Poetry) from the University of New Mexico. D’lo has published one book of poetry and four novels. Larry is also a board member of the New Mexico State Poetry Society (NMSPS) and teaches poetry and the art of “Pantser” writing (writing without a plot or outline). Additionally, he offers online Zoom poetry readings. You can find Larry at www.dlobookstore.com  OR  email Larry at dlobookstore.com@gmail.com.

The following is an example of one of D’lo’s poems with interesting opening & closing lines.

Enjoy!

 

The Door

The door is open for the dead to enter.

A woman alone stares at the ceiling

& quietly tells her story,

using long pauses

between each word.

It is an allegory:

An old couple            lying together in bed

whispers a secret                  to the dead,

While we, the living who are afraid to enter

listen with ears cupped against the wall,

of an adjacent room.

The word       ‘STOP’           is shouted

  followed by a slamming door.

 

Edit/Review PoetryWe wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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