Many of you know I've been writing myself for well over 25 years. I've even performed slam poetry before. Angelo's release has inspired me to get back out there.
I have a very different process for writing my poems than much.
I brainstorm the topic and the emotions first. You have to really feel poetry opposed to prose. This is why I begin with the title and let it flow.
I have a format of four lines per stanza or even two. I and other great poets advise you have a foundation far as writing but remember that all poems do not have to rhyme. I simply make sure mine flow well even if they don't rhyme.
I then read my poems aloud for that effect. Big shout out to folks at the WU like Pamela Pressley Sharpe, Que Gore and Quentin Talley. All 3 taught me that expressing from the heart and showing the emotion really helps gives your words life.
I also don't worry if I go over anyone's heads. Poetry is met to be interpretive and have multiple meanings.
I encourage you to read many poems, including Angelo's books and definitely develop that foundation. You may be a poet and not know it!
