10 Tips for Revising Poems

by David Waite

So you’ve finally gotten that perfect concept written down and you’re ready for the next step. While there is often an urge to stick with the original version of a poem, revision can help a poem become a more fully-formed concept or a more perfectly realized idea. In this way, that string of thoughts that was so wonderful and insightful can become so for someone else as they explore your work.

1. Think about your poem’s “breath.” Do you want your poem to have a sharp, staccato feel? Then use more line breaks or periods. Do you want long, flowing, Walt Whitman-esque lines? Then use less cuts. The breath should relate to and be an aspect of the meaning of the poem or act as a counter-punch to that same meaning. A poem about freedom with short, sticky lines could be an unconventional and interestingly realized piece.

2. Use the proper punctuation (or lack of punctuation). A punctuation mark reflects proper grammar in prose but in verse it can be used to denote the pause in a line or stanza. If you want a little pause, use a comma. If you want a bigger break, use a semi-colon or colon. For a full pause, a period will do. There are numerous other ways to create a pause in a poem, including indentation and line and stanza breaks. If it suits your style, skip the punctuation, but make sure you have a reason for using it or not using it.

3. Think about your descriptors. At certain times, an ordinary adjective, like “gray” or “old,” might serve the poem and its sound better than “smoky” and “antiquated.” At other times, a dynamic adjective might be best. The type of descriptor used should answer the question: “do I want this word to be noticed or should it flow with the line?”

4. Addition by subtraction. Some concepts are going to slow down a piece and cause the reader to be uninterested. While a poem with four intertwined stories can be extraordinary, if one of those stories is not exciting enough, maybe it’s best to lose it or use it in a different form. As well, you may want to expand on an idea if you think of a suitable innovation.

5. Rewrite boring lines and stanzas. A line may work well in a poem but viewed on its own may seem too ordinary. This can be solved by supplanting a word or phrase or cutting up the lines with different breaks. If you want a poem to sound like ordinary language, that’s fine—it just might not be terribly interesting to read or look at.

6. Replace problematic stanzas or lines. If you keep rewriting a line or stanza and you still can’t get it right, try turning the page over and composing it again. Chances are you will produce a different idea of how to put together that content. Distance helps as well, and rewriting is easier without the previous wording bouncing around in your head.

7. Take your time. While a lot of poems you encounter might seem effortlessly composed, most everything that you read has gone through a long, hard process of revision. A beginner poet might spend a week on revising a poem; a more experienced poet might spend months or years.

8. Don’t be afraid to revisit a poem. A year ago a poem might have been “perfect” or “as good as you could make it.” But looking at it today, that line or stanza might not be the way you want it or not as polished as it could be. Even if a poem is published it might not be up to your standards. Take the time to rip something apart and try it over again to see if you can improve upon it.

9. You can reject a poem that is not up to your standards. Everyone writes pieces that they look back at and feel “iffy” about. A piece may not have met your vision or become twisted. If so, set those pieces aside and credit yourself with a good idea, if not a good realization, and try it again later.

10. Share your work and consider your audience. If a poem is supposed to be understood by the average reader, give it to an average reader and solicit their opinion. If a poem is aimed towards a poetry reader, seek one out. A writing group or friend can highlight the strengths and weaknesses of a piece. Distribute your work liberally. Also, don’t let one person’s opinion discourage you but try to understand their perspective. You may not think it but criticism gets easier as you go along.

Overall, stay true to your vision but be playful. And of course, save all your materials, read a wide variety of writers and don’t be afraid to try new things.

David is a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts program from Goddard College. His work has appeared in or will soon appear in Bellowing Ark, Small Brushes, Children, Churches and Daddies, and Love's Chance Magazine.