Writing Poetry: Why I Love It and How I Became Obsessed

In 2011, I was exposed to poetry in a creative writing course in college. I read Wittgenstein and Maggie Nelson, which finally cracked open the world of poetry and creative writing in a way I could grasp. Since then, I’ve fallen down into a rabbit hole I don’t think I’ll ever want to get out of.

Recommended Reading: My Two Favorite Poetry and Writing Books

Remarks on Colour by Ludwig Wittgenstein

Bluets by Maggie Nelson

I haven’t been the same for years. I’ve found myself continually wanting to write and explore literature. Over time, my obsession with writing poetry resulted in various daily writing routines that I have tweaked to optimize writing output. And I’ve maintained a habit of writing for one to two hours per day since then.

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I used to think that poetry was some high-brow artistic form of writing. I thought that I’d never be able to understand, let alone write poetry, even though I was already an avid writer and reader.

Maybe it’s because poetry is intimidating at first due to its literary history and importance to countless civilizations, both ancient and new. Perhaps it’s because of its history of religious poetry, passing down legends and mythologies, or its significant use in addressing societal and cultural shifts. This fear of poetry is pretty common for people interested in it but hesitant to jump in.

Poems That I Recommended Reading

A Hymn to God the Father by John Donne

The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fagles

Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg

I read tons of books on writing poetry. I’m keen to find reliable resources with pro tips that I can use to push my poetry in new directions. But reading poetry more than writing seems to positively affect my work. I’d highly recommend balancing time between reading and writing poetry to advance your writing.

Reading Suggestions: Excellent Books on Poetry by Robert Pinsky

My Book Reviews of Singing School and Democracy, Culture and the Voice of Poetry by Robert Pinsky 

Also, check out my list of Recommended Poetry Books and How to Read a Poem

What can I say about poetry, about writing? Read, write, write some more, and get your hands on as much great poetry as possible. If you love it, let it become your obsession. Take joy in poetry and memorize poems you love; this has helped me compose and acknowledge the value of being able to read poetry effectively at events.

Looking for guidance and tips? Read my post How to Memorize a Poem!

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