Poetic Devices I Use Often

Okay…So, I skipped a poetry month post. April was a hectic, traumatic and chaotic month for me. I somehow had IG content (I did that in advance) but as far as fresh stuff? My mind was literally trying to remember what my middle name was. Yeah. That serious. I’m taking this month to lay low a bit and recharge. ‘Cause whew, chile

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So anywho…

Here are some poetic devices that I like to use often. Alliteration is not on here, but it’s mentioned in my YouTube video that’s at the end of this post. Internal rhyming, allegory and alliteration are my faves, ya’ll. Me and allegory go way back. Want to hide your secrets? Allegory. Want to reveal your true identity to your loved one since you’re a spy? Symbolism or allegory. Extra? Yes. Always. Is this rushed because my mind is an omelet with tomatoes? Absolutely.

            Allegory allows you to create a consistent image that has a deeper image. Most of the time figurative image discreetly speaks on political, societal or religious. However, it can be whatever you choose. Ie: If a poem is about depression, maybe use the seasons to symbolize it. “Winter sets in deeply after 5pm” Edmund Spenser’s, The Faerie Queene is a splendid example for allegory.

            Rhyming in the middle of a line instead of the end of a line is internal rhyming…Or middle rhyme, internal rhyming gives more wiggle room for your rhyming other than perfect rhyming.

I lost my mind trying to find another like you.

Internal para-rhyme is when identical consonants within 2 or more words share a line:

My friend tapped her cat’s button nose ‘til she frowned.

flinching her furry head, her cat tapped her back-

claws included.

There is also internal semi-rhyme where you can have two or more words share the same sound, but one word has an additional syllable at the end:

Waiting in line

for the confining moment

she restricts my emotions to her liking.

The queen hates hopeful dreamers.

You can lure a reader in with your unique diction by experimenting with various kinds of internal rhyme.

With a plethora of poetic devices to choose from, give your heart some more wiggle room poetically. Check out https://writers.com/literary-devices-in-poetry for more poetic devices to check out. You may even have your top three favorite poetic devices by the time you’ve finished writing your third poem.

I believe the most significant step in writing poetry is sharing one’s heart. Other than restricting your pattern to a specific beat (I’m looking at you, poetry in meter), know that your heart has options on how to speak in black ink.