In my roles with Raven Resources and General Holdings, I spend a lot of time with data, numbers, and projections. I love this work, and I’m made for it. But I have found in recent years that art and poetry fill a need in me that exists outside of numbers. I’ve loved collecting art and making it work in a space for many years. Recently I’ve started to experiment with writing poetry, and have found it to be a great outlet for me.
Poetry has a way of slipping past the noise and going straight to the soul. A few words, arranged with care, can hold more emotion and truth than pages of prose. Whether you’ve always felt drawn to poems or are just curious about exploring a new form of expression, I’ve found that writing poetry is more accessible – and more rewarding – than I thought it would be. You don’t need to have a background in literature, a grasp of obscure forms, or even a large vocabulary to get started. What you do need is a willingness to observe, feel, and experiment.
Writing poetry can be surprisingly intimidating. It doesn’t have to be, and you don’t have to be a pro to try it. Here are some tips that have helped me enjoy this art form.
1. Start With What You Notice
One of the most beautiful things about poetry is its attention to detail. It starts with noticing—an image, a feeling, a memory, a sound. You don’t need to wait for inspiration to strike like lightning. Just begin by paying attention to the world around you.
Try this: spend five minutes observing something very ordinary. A cup of tea, a tree outside your window, your dog sleeping. Write down everything you notice about it—textures, smells, sounds, shapes. This exercise trains your poetic eye.
Poetry often begins where observation meets emotion. Ask yourself, “What does this remind me of?” or “How do I feel when I see this?” Your answers can be the seeds of your first poem.
2. Forget the Rules (At First)
A lot of new writers get stuck thinking poetry has to rhyme or follow strict patterns. But some of the most powerful contemporary poems are written in free verse—meaning they don’t rhyme and aren’t bound to meter.
Don’t worry yet about whether what you’re writing is a poem. Just let your words flow. Write as you think, or as you feel. You can always revise later. The goal at first is not to write something “good” or polished—it’s simply to write.
Free yourself from the idea that poetry has to be lofty or dramatic. It can be casual. It can be playful. It can be messy. What matters most is honesty and attention.
3. Play With Form and Sound
Once you’ve written a few free-form poems, you might start getting curious about structure. This is where poetry gets even more fun. You can play with:
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Line breaks – Where you end a line changes how it’s read.
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White space – How a poem looks on the page can add impact.
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Sound – Try reading your poem aloud. Listen for rhythm, repetition, and alliteration.
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Forms – Challenge yourself to try a haiku (5-7-5 syllables), a sonnet, or even a spoken word-style piece.
These constraints aren’t rules so much as creative tools. They can help you see your subject from a new angle or discover unexpected beauty in language.
4. Read More Poetry
The best writers are avid readers, and poetry is no exception. Reading a wide variety of poets will expand your sense of what a poem can be. You’ll pick up vocabulary, structure, tone, and rhythm without even realizing it.
Start with accessible poets like Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, or Rupi Kaur. Explore voices from different cultures and time periods. Read out loud to get a feel for cadence and tone.
When a poem strikes you, ask yourself: Why? Is it the imagery? The raw emotion? The surprise ending? Studying what moves you will guide your own writing.
5. Write Often and Without Judgment
Poetry thrives on practice. Make a habit of writing regularly—whether it’s a few lines each morning, a poem a week, or a collection of images and thoughts you jot down in your phone.
Don’t judge your early poems too harshly. Not every piece will be profound. Some may be clumsy or confusing. That’s okay. Every line you write helps you become more fluent in the language of poetry.
You may also find that your style evolves. Some poets lean into metaphor and abstraction; others are direct and narrative. Let your voice emerge naturally.
6. Revise—But Gently
Once you’ve written a poem, set it aside for a day or two. When you return to it, read it aloud. Does it sound the way you want it to? Are there lines that feel unnecessary or unclear?
Poetry is often refined through revision, but be kind to yourself in the process. Don’t cut the life out of your work in an attempt to make it perfect. A good rule of thumb: keep the lines that make you feel something. Let go of the rest.
7. Share If You’re Ready
Poetry is personal—but it’s also meant to be shared. If and when you’re ready, consider sharing your work with a trusted friend or a writing group. You can also explore online poetry communities or open mic nights in your area.
Sharing helps you grow. It opens you up to feedback and connection. You might be surprised by how your words resonate with others.
Final Thoughts
Getting started with poetry is less about talent and more about willingness—willingness to observe, to feel, and to try. You don’t have to call yourself a poet or write every day or win any awards. If you’ve put words to a feeling, you’ve already begun.
So start where you are. Write about your coffee. Your grief. Your joy. Your neighborhood. Your past. The smallest things and the biggest questions.
Your voice matters. And poetry is waiting for it.