Some Tips For Writing Poetry? Poem by Denis Martindale

Some tips for writing poetry?
Now wouldn't they be nice?
Perchance to please society,
Or just make folks think twice...
To count one's blessings now and then,
As if one's life to gauge,
Then simply use a fountain pen
To write upon a page...

Just think, if rhyming's what you'd choose,
Some phrases that fit well,
Perchance to reach out and amuse
With some new tale to tell...
And just because the notion's there,
You could be on a roll,
To start a sonnet or a prayer,
Some words to soothe the soul...

But if you strive for some crusade,
Be tactful with your charms!
Just spill it out, don't be afraid!
Use humour that disarms...
Poetic licence helps us all,
Don't be adverse to verse,
Start writing now and have a ball,
Your talents to rehearse...

You'll punctuate till it's quite late,
You'll hardly sleep at night,
Alas, this proves the writer's fate
Should you use all your might...
Or stay part-time and nothing more,
As dabblers in the craft,
Perchance to settle some old score,
Get back at those who laughed...

But if you put aside such sports,
To dedicate yourselves,
Perchance, in time, we'll read your thoughts,
If stored on library shelves...
You won't get rich, I know that's tough,
Yet fame proves fickle, too...
If writing poems shows your love,
Somehow you'll muddle through...

It's safer than a steeplejack,
Or stuntman, or a cop!
And once you start, you won't look back,
You'll never want to stop!
It's quite addictive, look at me,
I haven't slept a wink!
I'll still be writing poetry
Till I run out of............................................


Denis Martindale, March 2016.