Tips On Penning A Bereavement Poem

We all cherish our friends, family and those around us. Just as we experience the joys and warmth of togetherness, we should also be ready to face the pain of separation and death. However it is never easy to get over someone with whom we may have shared so many wonderful experiences. Writing a poem in such instances may provide an outlet for the poet to vent his hurt an emotions.

While attempting to write the bereavement poem, it is always advisable to begin writing in prose. Doing so one can easily note down all the important aspects one would like to cover. If directly writing a poem, the poet could get so easily carried away with the natural use of metaphor and abstractions in poetry, that the end result might prove to be a hazy replica and may not cause the reader to fully appreciate the work. Also one needs to be able to control oneself and not flow with the thoughts, to something unimaginable. One needs to draw the line between whether we would want to write something that is correct to others or true.

A good method followed is to make notes in a diary in prose about the pain you are experiencing. You can treat this as an outlet to let your feelings flow through. This will help you to collect all your thoughts and not miss any important happening. Some people also use the method of writing an unsent letter describing all their feelings to the person concerned. After pouring your heart out, you will come face to face with so many things you may not have noticed earlier. You will be able to say so many things you might not have uttered earlier. You will realize when all your thoughts have been covered. Now you can sit and weave these writings in your poem. You will notice the poem running parallel to all that you may have written in prose.

Generally, we write bereavement poems for a eulogy or a funeral service. Even I f you are facing a time crunch begin by writing the prose piece first. You will find that it enhances the feel of the poem and also saves time finally. Take your time and try to note the minutest of details. If you do not do so you may be cheating both yourself and the poem itself of the richness of your emotional integrity.

It is ultimately your decision about how you want the poem to shape up. You may write a form poem i.e. an ode, sonnet, use meter and rhyme or employ a free verse. At the end of the poem, you will surely experience an inner sense of peace. You will find the anger following through. Remember to depict the pain in all its brutality but also hope for healing in equal measures. You should leave the reader with a serene feel. After all, death is but a part of life. 

by Jay Moncliff - 28th July 2007

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Source: http://www.creativewriter.me.uk

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