What Makes a Poem a Poem?


What makes a poem different from a song?

Think of a song, how it moves along.
Its rhythm and beat, verses so sweet.

A poem’s like that, with words, thin or fat.
No music to sing; its words still ring.

Words that shine like the sun, when a storm’s undone.
Or freeze like the snow when it’s forty below.

Every word counts; Every one must be rich!
Use the poem’s shape for an edge, a pitch.

Use rhyme or not, or both will work fine.
Mine feelings like gold on every line.

Make a pattern, repeat some of the words.
Your poems fly like a rainbow of birds.

Think about it! Write all day or all night.
You can do it, it’s true, with all your might!