The List Poem- The Easiest Rhyming Poem To Write
Okay so writing a rhyming poetry might be intimidating. The question is where to begin. Poetry, like any other art, comes in steps. Once you start writing and reading other poetry, your writing will improve. Hopefully, one day your poetry will have a unique character all of its own. That somebody would read it and know who the author was.
So what is a list poem? It is a phrase I coined. Basically what you do is create a list and then put down rhyming lines. It is good to pay attention to meter in the task as well. Generally what one is looking for is a consistent rhythm unless you have some reason to deviate like to place emphasis.
The best way to show a list poem is to demonstrate.
Deep Thoughts
by John Kaniecki
Quasars
Jimi Hendrix licking electric guitars
Einstein tripping on acid
The ocean eternally placid
A rhyming poet raging in fun
Being born before time begun
The Words of the great I Am
Who would buy from a cable TV scam?
How you are miserably caught
In a dark, devious, deep thought
What was there before light
What you'll have for dinner tonight
The crucifixion was insane
Acid in the rain
Why a God of Love let's baby starve
A piece of wood you want to carve
The abundance of pornography
What you really mean to me
Bob Dylan singing in tune
How the cow jumped over the moon
When the sun refuses to rise
How we're all confused by lies
How mistress money is only paper
And we can't escape her
How when old we repeat our parents' ways
The passing of the Rubix Cube phase
How three Beatles were born in Liverpool
Why I am the perfect fool
All the things they don't teach in school
Why learning is fun
How to decide the poem is done
I think this poem came out well. All it is are examples or a list. You see how you can get very creative. Also to come up with rhymes is relatively easy.
Here’s another one with a couple of added lines, it's from my book “Poet To The Poor, Poems Of Hope For The Bottom One Percent.”
The Land of Plenty
By John Kaniecki
We live in the land of plenty
Yes we do
We live in the land of plenty
Dear God it’s true
Plenty of suffering and pain
Plenty of dark skies and rain
Plenty of people living a lie
Plenty of people getting high
Plenty of people hungry
Plenty of people not free
Plenty of people doing time
Plenty of people making crime
Plenty of ill will and hate
Plenty of useless idle debate
Plenty of people with no job
Plenty of people following the mob
Plenty of people who don’t care
Plenty of people who just won’t share
Plenty of people sick with greed
Plenty of people in dire need
Plenty of people killing and dying in war
Plenty of people wanting more
There’s plenty of plenty
But don’t give none of it to me
Once again the poem is basically a list of things. The first four lines serve as an introduction, while the last two are a conclusion. You see how you can develop a "list" poem.
Of course in this last poem, you can always embed the list deep in the poem.
Uncle Sam’s Racket
By John Kaniecki
There’s a mafia boss running a scam
Ruthless and cruel he don’t give a damn
You know the criminal as Uncle Sam
His gangster colors are red, white and blue
And his sweetest line is “I want you”
“I want you to kill in war”
“I want you to sacrifice more”
“I want you filled with hate”
“I want you as slave of the state”
“I want you to stay in line”
”I want you to be all mine”
”I want you to be all mine”
“I want you to pay, pay, pay”
“I want you to do just as I say”
“I want you to believe my lie”
“Above all I want you to never ask me why”
‘Sam, what about the Bill of Rights?’ I inquire
Those are the American Ideals I desire
Sam growled his face aflame with fury
“It’s only a piece of paper, don’t worry”
‘Sam,’ I said ‘millions fought and died for our constitution’
‘We Love the dream but hate your institution’
Sam was extremely mad, he don’t like citizens to talk back
But friends and enemies a facts a fact
I am loyal to our country’s highest call
You arrogant aristocrats soon you will fall
I’ve witnessed you slide green into the government’s pocket
I know all about Uncle Sam’s Racket
You see the “I want you to …..” parts. Once again it is a list.
At a final note if you can’t create a rhyming poem like this your in trouble.
Please send me some rhyming ‘list poems’ to peacepoems@mail.com
Also, share this post so we can get some attention and more students. At this point I don't know where we are going next but if you have suggestions. I'm thinking of a Haiku, something I have little skill at.
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