Think about all the things you would tell that person. You might be feeling sad or angry, or you might recall happy memories and feel grateful. Write whatever comes to mind without filtering or revising your words. There’s no right or wrong way to write out what you’d like to say. You can be totally honest since you don’t have to show this part to anyone else.
Circle, underline, or highlight the words and phrases you choose. You may want to choose words based on the associations you’ve made in your mind, the relevance of those words to the deceased’s life, or the poetic nature of those words. [1] X Expert Source Alicia CookProfessional Writer Expert Interview. 11 December 2020.
Choose concrete words and phrases (which describe things using the senses) instead of abstract ones (which refer to feelings or concepts). Concrete words help the images take shape in the reader’s mind. An example of an abstract description would be “the grass was tired. " A concrete description would be something like “the blades of grass bent over, leaning for a lifetime against the prairie wind. " Try to paint an image with your words. Think about abstract/original ways of phrasing things and vivid, descriptive phrases that capture the words you identified as your favorites from the earlier notes. One way to paint a picture with words is to try to describe the most striking images you see. For example, you might describe the deceased person’s hands, then zoom out to what they’re holding, then describe the way the deceased used to perform that action.
Do you want your poem to capture a particular moment between you and the deceased? Or perhaps a general moment in the life of the deceased? Your poem could also capture a conversation you and the deceased had, or it could be a response to something the deceased said to you. You could use your poem to simply describe the characteristics of the deceased.
abstract poetry - plays with different sounds and rhythms to evoke different emotions elegy - poem of mourning/sorrow haiku - Japanese poetic form that is restricted to three lines containing five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line sonnet - 14 line poem written in iambic pentameter sestina - poetic form that plays with using six words rotated as the ending word of each line throughout the poem
You can get a pretty good idea of your strongest image by identifying the one that always comes to mind when you reflect on your list. If you’re not sure which image is your strongest, try asking a friend or relative which image stands out the most in your poem.
Consider what it is you’re hoping to say about or to the deceased with this poem. Be creative. Obviously you miss the deceased, but how can you make your poem an interesting and unique tribute to that person? The main idea should involve the deceased, but it can be about any aspect of their life or even a realization you’ve had because of their passing.
An example of a cliche would be, “The sun sets on his life. " Identify what the cliched phrase is trying to say. Brainstorm original ways to convey that information. Try using metaphors (comparisons that don’t use like or as) to strengthen the poetic nature of your writing. [7] X Research source Choose your favorite non-cliche description and see how it fits with the rest of the poem. A less-cliched version of the above line might be, “He could no longer keep up with the orbit of the hours. "
An example of a sentimental line might be, “I miss him so much. " Look for any sections of the poem in which sadness, grief, or anguish completely dominate the poem. Ask yourself whether a reader who does not share your memories could understand or relate to those parts of the poem. Try rewriting those sections in a more controlled, less-emotional tone. A less-sentimental way of saying the above line might be, “I carry a million memories and all of them are his. "
Make sure the person you choose will not be judgmental or rude when you share your poem. Consider choosing someone close to you who will be understanding and supportive.
Reading the poem out loud gives you the opportunity to voice the poem as you imagine it. You can use inflections and pauses to emphasize certain parts, which can’t be done if someone is just reading the written words. Having someone else read the poem takes some of the pressure off of you to perform. You don’t have to worry about tearing up or getting emotional while you read, but you lose the chance to voice the poem.
