How to Write a Short Poem for Someone Special: Tips and Techniques

Writing a short poem for someone special can be a wonderfully fulfilling way to express your feelings. Whether you're using a common metre hymn style, like 8–6–8–6, or adapting to the modern landscape format on screens, there are several tips and techniques to help you create a meaningful and impactful poem.

Common Metre and Modern Display Formats

The traditional common metre hymn verse often uses counted syllables, such as 8–6–8–6. However, in the digital age, where screens display text in a landscape format, adapting this to a 32-lined poem can create a visually appealing effect. By combining lines, you can still achieve the essence of a shorter poem, much like a 16-lined poem.

Adapting to Screen Formats:
Using a smaller font size, adjusting the line gaps, or even selecting a suitable background image can help create a more compact appearance on screens. Customizing the presentation can make the poem more accessible and engaging to your intended audience.

Unique Form: Acrostic Poetry

For a highly personal touch, consider an acrostic poem with a Shakespearean style, iambic pentameter, and an AABB rhyme scheme. This unique format allows for both creativity and structure:

Shakespearean Rhythm: Iambic Pentameter

Shakespearean rhythm, also known as iambic pentameter, consists of five iambs per line. Each iamb is a rhythm unit of "daDAH," mimicking natural speech patterns. Here is an example:

I took a walk to my friend’s house today.
I TOOK a WALK to MY friend’s HOUSE toDAY.

AABB Rhyme Scheme

The AABB rhyme scheme requires the first two lines to rhyme and the second two lines to rhyme. An example is as follows:

today
display
invent
resent

Creating the Personal Acrostic Poem

Here’s how you can create a personal acrostic poem:

Shakespearean Style: Use iambic pentameter with five iambs per line. AABB Rhyme Scheme: Ensure that the first and second lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme. Vertical Spellout: Write the first letter of each line to form the name of the special person when read vertically. Personal Attributes: Praise the special person’s attributes to make the poem uniquely about them.

Here is an example using the name “JANE”:

Just when I deemed the Earth had lost its glow
Along my path: a beam well don’t ya know!
Not only kind to people creatures same.
Enticing music when I hear her name.

You can expand the poem to eight lines, consisting of two 4-line stanzas, for added depth and emotion:

JANE
Just when I deemed the Earth had lost its glow
Along my path: a beam well don’t ya know!
Not only kind to people creatures same.
Enticing music when I hear her name.

Where JANE goes, a smile appears
Her laughter, the sweetest melody.
With her, the world seems right as rain
Her presence, a ray of divine light.

--- End of example ---

By following these tips and techniques, you can create a short poem that not only showcases creativity but also communicates your feelings effectively. Whether you use a traditional format or a modern twist, the key is to make the poem personal and meaningful for your special someone.

Additional Resources

For further inspiration, explore websites like PoemHunter and Denis Martin. You can also find free photos on Unsplash and Pixabay. And don't forget to check your grammar using tools like Grammarly.