When I want to write a poem I sit, relax, and clear my mind. I then just let my mind wonder over everything that had happened that day or what I think will happen, or what has happened in the past . . .
I might just think about random things! Think about imaginary things that could never happen, or you may not THINK about anything, you may just let your mind wonder. I used this technique to write my poem "Invisible" and "The Werewolf" and, well, okay, pretty much ALL of my poems.
Anyway, this is a good technique and you should use it sometime.

I tend to do that too sometimes. Especially right before bed...and on the can (omg, but yes). Usually, when I think about nothing (which is all the time) my mouth will start working on its own and SOMETIMES clever things can come out. Or, if you have control over your mouth, emotions and "colors" will just appear in your head. Even listening to music can give you the mood.

OhRedKite wrote:

I tend to do that too sometimes. Especially right before bed...and on the can (omg, but yes). Usually, when I think about nothing (which is all the time) my mouth will start working on its own and SOMETIMES clever things can come out. Or, if you have control over your mouth, emotions and "colors" will just appear in your head. Even listening to music can give you the mood.

Exactly!

I like to let my mind wander a lot too, since most of my poetry is actually not about things that have happened to me. Trust me, other people's lives are always more exciting.
In the big gap between Free Verse Poetry and a more structured form, I find myself in the middle. So I usually do let my mind wander, but also try to make those wanderings fit inside of well-flowing form. (for example: all lines having the same amount of syllables, or at least having a pattern.)

My mind just wanders off without me - so I have to keep notebooks close by - lest I miss out on some good things!

i agree music is a great insirpation tool as well!

Good topic!


Steph

To sschubert: I agree completely!

Music is such an inspiration to me. In fact, sometimes I listen to music solely to get my poetic juices flowing. There have been a couple of time when I designed the meter and flow of a particular poem after a song that's in my head. Not to the point of plagiarism, though. I amend it enough to make it original.

I like to keep a notebook close by as well. The only problem I've found is this: I tend to write a poem all in one sitting. Of course, I edit it later if needed, but the original draft is spun out rather quickly. But if I only write a basic list of ideas down, then later on, those core ideas don't mean as much to me as they once did because I'm not living in that moment anymore.

With a finished poem, it feels like a newborn baby...like something was birthed out of me.

A random list of free-floating ideas feels like protected sex...great moment, but nothing new came of it.

I have written a couple songs - I haven't posted them here - but I find music and poetry compliment each other!

My best poems were wrtiten in no time at all - so I totally get what your saying - it flows better when your not forcing it~

HEHE I love your description of it!

I just wrote my theme poem for the Quarterly contest - I really really like it - can't wait to see what the judges think!

well music deffinatly comes hand in hand with poetry... after all.. what other two things can envoke such feeling and emotions...

Raps a perfect example as R A P stands for Rhythm & Poetry after all.

I agree with steph because when things flow... you've got to get them down, after this I spend the time that sapphic mentioned by structuring it.

My inspiration comes from feelings, emotions, memories, current events etc.. but one thing that has sparked many poems of mine is one simple line i've heard... if i hear something I love the sound of... much like my signature quote.. my mind runs away with it.

Cool topic

Bren

Thanks guys! Wow I didn't know I'd get this many replies! Anyway, I agree with all of you! Thanks for responding!