The proper way to write poetry
Although I do not do so myself, most if not much of the way poetry is written (and printed) is with each line beginning with a capital letter.
At first (when I began writing poetry) I thought this just to be lazy word processing BUT it does seem to have been the 'correct' way to display poetry for a long time.
What are your views?
Why is it so?
Isn't it just bad English?
Discuss please!
At first (when I began writing poetry) I thought this just to be lazy word processing BUT it does seem to have been the 'correct' way to display poetry for a long time.
What are your views?
Why is it so?
Isn't it just bad English?
Discuss please!
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 01:58 pm

I tend to use the line breaks to dictate the way I want the sentences to be read... and capitalise each new sentence. So, each 'line' might not start with a capital but each sentence, should.
I'm not quite sure how I got into this rhythm - probably by accident.
I'm not quite sure how I got into this rhythm - probably by accident.
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 02:18 pm

I would disagree, Graham. In my experience the majority of published poetry does not begin with a capital letter at the start of each line, unless basic grammar demands it. Rigid capitalisation of each line tends to look a little outdated these days. Although, I agree, Windows seems to prefer it! And, in the end, there is no rule, one way or the other.
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 03:31 pm

As Holmes used to exclaim: Capital Watson. That says it all - or maybe not. Sadly we are all hampered by rules more than we are freed up by them I believe. Though I think capitals can seem like a fencing with too many posts. And this is another post. I'll get my coat.
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 04:46 pm


I've just chosen 2 examples at random.
First. In my book, 12 French poets 1820-1900, they all appear to use capitals at the beginning of every line.
Second. In Lorca's Selected Poems, Capitals are confined to the start of sentences eg:
The wail of the guitar /
begins.
The goblets of dawn /
are broken.
ie. 2 sentences broken into 4 lines.
First. In my book, 12 French poets 1820-1900, they all appear to use capitals at the beginning of every line.
Second. In Lorca's Selected Poems, Capitals are confined to the start of sentences eg:
The wail of the guitar /
begins.
The goblets of dawn /
are broken.
ie. 2 sentences broken into 4 lines.
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 08:04 pm

On reflection, I must admit that the way I write poetry - ie. capitals, punctuation etc, is partly due to force of habit, and partly due for example, to how word processing works.
I don't know what's "right" or "wrong".
I don't know what's "right" or "wrong".
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:06 pm

The other issue that exercises my poetry brain is 'to edit or not to edit'?
Once a poem has been placed on WOL (or any other website) should it be further edited or not?
Once a poem has been placed on WOL (or any other website) should it be further edited or not?
Thu, 26 Jan 2023 01:07 pm

Another good talking point, Graham. WH Auden once said that he agreed with the French poet Paul Valery that 'a poem is never finished, only abandoned'. Write Out Loud gives us the facility to edit our own poems. Why not make use of it, if you feel the need to? I did so just recently, removing the first five lines of what was already quite a short poem! Mind you, the original is still on the site. 'The wind in the dark', if you're wondering ...
Thu, 26 Jan 2023 03:02 pm

I must admit in my earlier 'idealistic' poetry writing days I proudly used to announce that once launched on an audience, I would never change a piece. Not so now!
I find myself tinkering with my work all the time. For example a first posting on WOL may well end up being a totally different write on my personal website.
Poems are like children, they keep growing if you feed them!
I find myself tinkering with my work all the time. For example a first posting on WOL may well end up being a totally different write on my personal website.
Poems are like children, they keep growing if you feed them!
Thu, 26 Jan 2023 03:10 pm

I tend to do a lot of redrafting before I type up a poem and post it, but not very much after that. But I agree, there is no reason not to use the edit facility. And I have changed one or two posted poems before putting them in a book.
Thu, 26 Jan 2023 09:52 pm

When I write poetry, it usually involves something emotional that I am feeling, & the feeling intensifies as I write the poem. Later, when I re-read the poem with a "cool" mind (the emotion has diminished), I try to see if the poem captures what I was trying to convey, & I sometimes make minor edits for clarity. So, love the edit option on WOL.
Fri, 27 Jan 2023 01:54 pm

I like to let the emotion lead the way, as Helene mentioned. I figure if I feel the emotion others may as well. Emotion mixed with truth is a winning combination.
As to capitalization of first word of each line, that is something I have been considering and reconsidering lately.
As to capitalization of first word of each line, that is something I have been considering and reconsidering lately.
Sun, 15 Dec 2024 08:15 pm

My use of capitalisation and punctuation even vacillate between function and literary effect. There is always a reason why I would use, not use and even at times, abuse these, for the sake of any given poem. Unless, of course, it is a form and structure bound poem where it counts to follow the ‘rules,’ whatever those rules may be. But that’s just me…
Sun, 9 Feb 2025 12:51 pm

Like Helene and Maria Joy, emotion plays an important part of everything that I write and I like to think that my poems are authentic.
As far as punctuation is concerned I have very little understanding of it so I make it up as I go along. I know it sounds unbelievable by today's standards, but I never got beyond the primary level, and as it was a faith school, educating girls was not important. We were taught to believe, behave, and have babies. (1945)
I think the lack of understanding of rules suits me fine I have claimed the freedom to let go and do whatever I choose. Truly naive stuff.
At this point, I would like to say that I rely heavily on Grammarly and would like to thank WOL.ers for their tolerance, I am sure that I have made many a mistake but no one has held it against me.
As far as punctuation is concerned I have very little understanding of it so I make it up as I go along. I know it sounds unbelievable by today's standards, but I never got beyond the primary level, and as it was a faith school, educating girls was not important. We were taught to believe, behave, and have babies. (1945)
I think the lack of understanding of rules suits me fine I have claimed the freedom to let go and do whatever I choose. Truly naive stuff.
At this point, I would like to say that I rely heavily on Grammarly and would like to thank WOL.ers for their tolerance, I am sure that I have made many a mistake but no one has held it against me.
Sun, 9 Feb 2025 01:40 pm

Flyntland, you are a testimony to resilience and the strength of the human spirit...wow, surviving the "behave and make babies" era to become a superb poet and lover of wild creatures. I am impressed! I came of age when women before me had already knocked down alot of barriers (I am 69 years old), and I am forever grateful to them.
Re poetry-punctuation style, I am a bit like RBK; I follow the "rules" or break them depending on which way the emotional winds blow for a particular poem. I have a bit of a "bipolar" personality (Hélène the poet & Helene the retired legal researcher/writer), and I think my poetry tends to move between linear correctness and nonlinear "no rules" depending on which way my brain is oriented at the time. I love it all...thoughts and feelings into words. Splendid and powerful.
Re poetry-punctuation style, I am a bit like RBK; I follow the "rules" or break them depending on which way the emotional winds blow for a particular poem. I have a bit of a "bipolar" personality (Hélène the poet & Helene the retired legal researcher/writer), and I think my poetry tends to move between linear correctness and nonlinear "no rules" depending on which way my brain is oriented at the time. I love it all...thoughts and feelings into words. Splendid and powerful.
Sun, 9 Feb 2025 02:42 pm
