We have always told stories. Around the campfire, in the forum, upon the stage, in the parlor. We have a need to communicate, to be understood. It's our nature.

The beautiful thing about poetry is there is no right or wrong way to compose it. Sonnets or freeverse or something else -- it's up to you. The important thing is to do it -- read it and write it -- and be as honest about it as you can. It takes practice; that's why even the most accomplished poets continue to write -- they're seeking truth, as honest as it can be.

Our masthead above features photos of three of the greatest American poets of the 20th Century: Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Sylvia Plath and William Stafford. Click on their names for a biography of each.

LINKS

Modern American Poetry Server -- at Univ. of Illinois-UC.

Poem-a-Day -- from DayTips.com. Make sure to uncheck all the other crap they want to send you!

Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson -- at bartleby.com's literature on-line site.