DOs and DON'Ts

 

DON’Ts

 

1.     Rhyme can make a text feel like a poem, but it does not make it a poem.

(The same applies to alliteration.)

2.     Counting syllables may create equality, but it does not create a pulse.

3.     A pacemaker creates an illusion of pulse, but does not make a poem breathe.

4.     Overattention to form in a text creates scaffolding, but blocks the view of the house.

5.     Misusing space on the page is dressing mutton as lamb.

6.     Repetition without modulation or modification creates monotony.

7.     Overuse or misuse of imagery smothers and blurs the image.

8.     Misuse of content ends up as philosophy, misuse of sound ends up as babble, misuse of space can leave you with an almost empty plate.

9.     Unless you dig deeper than the personal, you cannot say anything that will have universal validity.

10. Do not mistake rules for technique.

 

DO’s

 

1.     Read Goethe’s poem: ‘Natur und Kunst’ 

2.     Read e.c. cummings’ poems: ‘Yes is a pleasant country’, ‘O by the by’

(And listen to him read them on Spotify)