taste. In other words, “show, don’t tell” is a common rule of poetry writing.

One way to develop the ability to create imagery, creating pictures out of words, comes from developing

Well-written poems contain certain elements with imagery, imagination, and vision at the top of the list. Even knowing the complete list, though, does not mean every poem will have all the elements of image and discourse, rhythm, effective line breaks, figures of speech (also known as poetic devices), word music, and formal structures. In fact a good poem may have one or two as major strengths and perhaps some of the others to supplement and complement the major element or elements.

However, imagery is a major component of any poetry. Through words, our senses experience a vivid, sensuous reaction. We need to use more than visual images, even though they are the most found in writing. Well-written poetry evokes smell, touch, sound, and/or taste. In other words, “show, don’t tell” is a common rule of poetry writing.

One way to develop the ability to create imagery, creating pictures out of words, comes from developing

elements of image and discourse, rhythm, effective line breaks, figures of speech (also known as poetic devices), word music, and formal structures. In fact a good poem may have one or two as major strengths and perhaps some of the others to supplement and complement the major element or elements.

However, imagery is a major component of any poetry. Through words, our senses experience a vivid, sensuous reaction. We need to use more than visual images, even though they are the most found in writing. Well-written poetry evokes smell, touch, sound, and/or taste. In other words, “show, don’t tell” is a common rule of poetry writing.

One way to develop the ability to create imagery, creating pictures out of words, comes from developing

o as major strengths and perhaps some of the others to supplement and complement the major element or elements.

However, imagery is a major component of any poetry. Through words, our senses experience a vivid, sensuous reaction. We need to use more than visual images, even though they are the most found in writing. Well-written poetry evokes smell, touch, sound, and/or taste. In other words, “show, don’t tell” is a common rule of poetry writing.

One way to develop the ability to create imagery, creating pictures out of words, comes from developing

senses experience a vivid, sensuous reaction. We need to use more than visual images, even though they are the most found in writing. Well-written poetry evokes smell, touch, sound, and/or taste. In other words, “show, don’t tell” is a common rule of poetry writing.

One way to develop the ability to create imagery, creating pictures out of words, comes from developing

taste. In other words, “show, don’t tell” is a common rule of poetry writing.

One way to develop the ability to create imagery, creating pictures out of words, comes from developing our imaginations. If we can first learn how to “see” in our minds what we want to share, writing that mental image becomes easier. Playing with senses, scenes, moods, questions, concepts, and faces in our minds and with our words frees our imaginations and allows them to fly, to soar. Writing lists of words that go with an idea wanted in a poem gives us starting points and threads to weave into the image. This list should include words dealing with most of the senses, if not all. Using free association (writing words that pop into our minds) helps us to free ourselves from preconceptions, firing up our imagination.

Play with the ideas and words, creating a tapestry of words to tickle the minds and imaginations of readers. One thing we