Poem Starters

I can always think of topics for poems..I can just never start them off. If I sit down to write I know what I want to say I just cant think of a good way to start it, I end up tearing everything up because every start I try doesnt seem to work..

How do I think of a decent poem starter?

I have the same problem... I haven't really found a rock solid solution to this, but everytime I think of a topic or something to write about, or a feeling to write about in a poem - I simply write it down on a scrap piece of paper (or a diary or a book... anything handy) and of course, make sure not to lose it. Later on, I'll come back to it and see different ideas that could easily go together, and the ideas keep flowing...A starter usually finds it's way to me. Either through accidental falling upon it, or sudden inspiration. I've found it's best to wait for it, rather than try and force it. And never tear your work up, no matter how bad it may seem. Fold it up and put it away, or stop looking at it - those are alright ideas; however if you have it on hand, you can use it for later reference to another poem. Find out what exactly you don't like about it. Or think of ways to fix it...
Well that's what I do anyway, nothing good has come out of forcing, nor throwing work away (personally). But to each, their own I guess. You'll find a way to get passed this somehow. Best of luck to you! :). Sorry if I didn't help much, lol I tried.

dont try. when the time comes it'll just hit you and the words will just keep flowing. if you sit around trying to start a poem that didnt come naturally then you'll get stressed and have nothing but crupled up pieces of paper.

Sometimes I have to write a letter to sort out my feelings, then from there I pick it apart into a poem using what I wrote in the letter...

--Sher

thats a rely gd idea thnx

I have the same problems with starters. Like I'll know what I want to say, how long I want it to be, and then I wdon't be able to think of how to start it. I can't tell you how many poems I've ripped up because of this.

Not sure if it well provide any help, but I covered a few different aspects of writing in my topic/post in this section of the forum(writing poetry).The post is titled:

Poetry writing habits/advice/suggestions/writer's block/exercises/etc.

perhaps you can find something of use amongst my ramblings.
Take care,
Gary Jurechka