THE FOUR PARTS OF A POEM

There are four distinct parts of every poem . However , only
three of those parts may actually appear or be distinguishable
in every poem . These would be the three critical parts of
a poem that are crucial to a poems success . They are , the
title , the opening , and the ending . The body of the poem
is the fourth part which some poems simply do not have . The
body of a poem is the least important and has little to do with
the success or failure of a poem .
It is impossible to overstate the importance of a good title to
any poem . A title is the poems first impression on a reader .
Many readers or potential readers make a complete judgement
about a poem based on the poems title . I good title may not
only get a reader to read a poem , but it may also influence
the reader to take a positive experience from reading a poem
of less that stellar quality . The psychological impact of having
a positive title can therefore actually enhance a poems quality
in the eyes of a reader . There is an additional aspect to having
a good title that is directly related to the poem itself . A great
title will always give important information to the reader in the
form of clues about the meaning of the poem itself . Therefore ,
a poet who may choose to write a poem using more obscure
characterizations and words in the body of their poem , may find
that the reader may both enjoy the various poetic devices
employed by the poet and at the same time be able to keep
their mental focus on the poems meaning while doing so . This
is a reality that both the poet and the reader may enjoy .
The opening of a poem ; whether it be by verse , line , phrase ,
or word is of such significance to a poem that it is often the
jumping off point for many readers of poetry . The overall quality
of a particular poem is often reflected directly in the opening .
The readers will assume , and rightly so , that the opening part
may well be the best that the poet has to offer the reader .
While this may not be true in reality , it will be the expectation
of the reader which will dominate here . This is not without some
truth , however , since readers of poetry are well aware that the
inspiration for a poem is often contained in that opening .
Therefore , a good writer of poetry will always supply a good deal
of the substance contained within that poem in this most critical
part of the poem .
Finally , we come to the ending . The ending of a poem is no
less important than the title or the opening . Indeed , it is in
the ending that a good poet knows his poem will either be
defined as a success or a failure . Given this , it is often very
surprising how little thought seems to be given by most amateur
and professional poets to this most critical part of the poem .
The most common poetic flaws often emerge near the ending
of poems . It is the hardest part of the poem to write and it
is the part that requires and demonstrates the creativity , or
lack of it , of the poet . A great ending can turn what otherwise
may have been a completely average , pleasant poem into a
virtual masterpiece of poetic art . Such is the value of an ending .


GREENWOLFE 1962

POET LAUREATES

Poet Laureates. Where would poetry be without them?
Answer: Much better off.
I just read this thing. And to read something like this
always inspires me to continue my struggle against 'Picasso
Poetry.' This is what gives me the breath of life in their
world of meaninglessness. What a waste of life's time!
And of a great language blessed with true riches.
Is it possible to take a paper and pen and make them non-
functioning in the hands of those named, and as such, esteemed?
Science would do well by mankind to undertake such an endeavor.
Let science not go in search of life on Mars, let it go in search
of a solution to the disease of 'Picasso Poetry.'


Greenwolfe 1962