Seattle Writes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a theme?
Yes, our theme is NEIGHBORS.

Does poetry have to rhyme?
No. In fact, “free verse” is a great way to find and develop one’s voice without the limitations of end rhyme.

How long should a poem be?
For this project, the maximum number of lines is 30.

Does a poem need punctuation?
Not always. It just depends on the poem.

Does verb tense matter?
Generally speaking, simple present tense enhances the immediacy of the poem.

What makes a poem good?
Usually a poem is good if it makes the reader think hard, feel a strong emotion, or both.

Does a poem have to mean something?
Some poems tell a story and they usually do mean something, they have a point. Some poems create a mood or tone and these are often referred to as “tonal” poems. Here, the meaning is often less obvious or direct. Either way, it’s best not to guide the poem but to let the poem guide you. Often, if the poem has a point, you won’t know what it is until you've written it.

What if I get stuck and can’t think of anything to write?
Don’t worry, that happens a lot. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Write a poem in which…

  1. your neighbor has secret powers.
  2. your neighbor’s house is magic.
  3. your neighbor’s house is haunted.
  4. your neighbor does something special that you’d like to do too.
  5. the worms in your neighbor’s garden talk to each other.
  6. your neighbor is not a person but: a dog, a bug, a wind chime, fence, rock, trash can, sidewalk, telephone pole, street light, lawnmower, storage shed.
  7. in which you make up a brand new word that describes your neighbor.

OR

  1. Write a list of five words that describe your neighbor and use them all in a poem.
  2. Write a list of five words that mean “good neighbor” and five words that mean “bad neighbor” and use them all in a poem. Style points: one of the words in each list should be made-up words.
  3. Imagine the perfect neighbor, and pretend they are writing you a letter. Start with “Dear Neighbor.” Then what do they say?

Any more advice?
Yes! As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important that knowledge.” Let’s prove him right!

THANK YOU for participating in Seattle Writes! You’re making the community better by using your imagination.

— Mike Hickey, Seattle Poet Populist 2009