On Poetry Writing.

American Alligator: National Geographic

  I don't know how it works for everyone else but most of the time poems just hit me and I have to write them down right away. Strokes of genius? Flashpoints of word creativity? We take for granted that we have this beautiful tool called communication in which we combine these things called letters that create this sound that forms from our mouths. The very fact that we can understand each other through universal symbols of communication is quite a wonder! Seriously, take a few moments to ponder what life would be like without language. How would we communicate? Would we have music without words? Would we express ourselves gutterally? Could we get clear meanings across with just gestures? We did eons ago, but where would we be now if we still used the same form of communication?
  I know, the above has nothing to do with poetry but with the idea that we have this simplistic yet complex form of communication to convey thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Poetry can be free form or very strict. You can play games with yourself in the creation of a few lines. My favorite form is the limerick, as baudy and rotten as they can get. Of course, being very Scots-Irish may have something to do with that. Much like the pride that swells within my breast every time I hear bagpipes and drums. I can't help it. I start tearing up at bagpipes and drums because I think that they sound absolutely lovely. For all I know, there is some residual ancestor hiding in my mortal coil that has been entangled with my universal fiber.
  Haiku is my second favorite form to read. Short, succinct, and sweet. I have a short attention span so short poems are pretty awesome. Haiku is tough. 17 syllables are less in 3 lines. Words have to be chosen carefully and that is part of the beauty of the haiku. Let's see if I can pull off a quick alliterative version.

Acutely aware
Alligator abstains
Assaulting an arm

  Well, that was interesting. It took me about 5 minutes and several word lists to come up with that one. But the challenge was the entertaining part. Oh the things one does when they are on Spring Break!