How do you write a great poem?

In poetry, you usually work with limits - rhyme, meter, length of the poem - these are the tools that help you squeeze the most meaning out of the least Words, to distill the essence of your subject onto the page.

Therefore, you must choose your Words carefully. To quote an English teacher of mine: "Form equals content." This means the Words you use to describe an idea must do more than describe, they should *be* the idea, bring it to life. It's not easy to do. Reading famous poems is a good way to learn how the masters do it.

Aince we're working with limits, not one Word must be out of place. If your poem rhymes, make sure you don't choose some Words just for their rhyme! This is usually glaringly obvious to the reader. and don't think you can get off easy by writing without rhyme -- it's still a poem, not prose, so the rhythm and cadence of your Words must still read like poetry.

Also, it helps to think about the purpose of your poem. Why do you want to write it? What is it you want to bring to your readers that they didn't see/know before? The important thing is to speak from your heart, because then it will be original, something only you can say.

I write poems and I just think of something I like or something I love or hate and that will help me write a good poem !