Chapter 5: Topics to Write About
You have many feelings. Those feelings are sometimes misplaced, misdirected, or badly timed. That is allowable because in poetry, you are perfect. Poetry is a place. Not only are you allowed to be there, but you can be anything there. Pen and paper tend to be open-minded and understanding toward you in ways that people are not.
Common Poetry Topics
Fortunately, poetry contains emotion. On
paper, poets can say things that no one would usually listen to,
care about, or comprehend. The following are well-expressed in many
forms of poetry:
No one understands me.
No one loves me.
Why am I here?
I love this guy/girl. Does he/she love me?
I do not fit into this universe.
I am uncomfortable in at least 100 ways.
Why did I wake up?
I hurt.
My favorite color is…
I am popular.
I am not popular.
No one knows I exist.
My family is dysfunctional.
I don’t like this thing about myself.
One of the greatest things about poetry is how individual and unique it can be. Peer pressure, approval, and disapproval do not even play a part in it. Things you think might be laughed at, shameful, or unacceptable can be put there. Write even when you are not at your best. You should feel good about how well you express feeling bad.
Chances are good that very little of what you write will be as awful as you think. Even if it is, you will be more comfortable with writing poetry than you were. That is the most important thing. New experiences can be daunting, but they should not be crippling.
Recap
The number of potential topics for your poetry are endless. Start with what you like and what is on your mind. Poems range from the happiest to the saddest and the angriest to the funniest. Express your feelings your way.
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