If you write poetry, you have to know edit poetry. Want to submit your poem for publication in a magazine? Unless you're Billy Collins, an editor for a publishing house or magazine will not blink at tossing your poem in the trash for a small error that could have been prevented. If you are a new poet, you will learn more from editing your poems--or having them edited--than you will from writing a poem. Although poetry is an art that depends upon freedom of expression, there are limits that define good poetry.
Instructions
Edit Poetry with Honesty
1. Block out any distractions. You need as much silence and the same atmosphere as you did to write the poem. Find a cozy room or office. Shut the door. Start some instrumental music. Dim the lights. Do whatever you need to do to concentrate fully on your poem.
2. Read your poem twice. Understand exactly what you are saying with the poem.
3. Cut any unnecessary words. These include: very, never, almost, always, and any other word that detracts from the action or adjective.
4. Change passive voice to active. Don't say, "The boy was outside." Say, "The boy stood outside." Cut out those TO BE verbs; is, was, were, be, will, are and have. They slow down the flow of words. Make your language sharp and crisp. Don't clutter it with confusing clauses.
5. Sharpen action words and find unique descriptive words. Don't go crazy with a bunch of unrecognizable words but don't write mundanely either. Use a thesaurus and dictionary.
6. Cut off the last few lines if you don't need them. A common flaw among poets is a strong attachment to any words they write. If your poem ends perfectly after the second stanza but three more stanzas remain, cutting the poem off is OK, in fact, it's better than OK; it's highly recommended. Maybe those last three stanzas can be a new poem.
7. Focus your poem to at least one meaning. Aristotle said art should say something--speak about life or family or criticize society. Not every poet agrees with this, but many do. And many readers enjoy walking away from a poem feeling enlightened. Enlighten them.
