Poetry 101-3 Repetition

Today's example of poetry elements is repetition. It can be a word or phrase, a thought or theme, or an entire stanza - think refrain in a song. Repetition gives emphasis, rhythm, or flow. It can be used throughout the poem, or for a portion of it. Rhyming is a very familiar form of repetition; a repetition of sound. Alliteration is also a sound repetition, but we'll get into that later.

One way to help you decide what to repeat is to decide what is the main point you want to get across. Of course, it could just be what sounds good.

As I write this, I feel like I'm turning poetry into something cold and lifeless. This isn't meant to be a college exercise. Poetry comes from the heart as well as the mind. It expresses what prose struggles to say. This is just to point out the tools that turn prose into poetry.

I wrote today's poem while watching my nine-month-old grandson. It is an early draft and may have a bit too much repetition, but it gets the point across.

Baby Eyes

Baby eyes

William’s eyes

Smiles and kisses for Nana eyes.

Loving eyes

Sparkle eyes

Smile for Mommy and Daddy eyes

Mischief eyes

Flashing eyes

Just you try to stop me eyes

Wonder eyes

Shining eyes

All the world is new eyes

Sleepy eyes

Drowsy eyes

I have to keep them open eyes

Baby eyes

Blue eyes

Nana’s precious little angel eyes.

Give it a go, and if you create something you like, feel free to share.