To write a poem in formal style-
there’s skills first to satisfy-
and rules that one has first to learn
before they versify.

A starting rule that should be learned-
when writing formal verse-
use words the way you usually would
just as when you converse.

A poem should skillfully express
to others how you feel-
about joy and pain and other things
both fanciful and real.

Poetic license is a tool
I really think is great-
it permits use of bad grammar
and to exaggerate.

Many word patterns can be used
when writing verse or prose-
formal stuff is metrical rhyme-
sounds better I suppose.

To rhyme, the words must sound the same-
for instance, ache and break-
even though they don’t look alike
no difference does it make.

One shouldn’t write a sentence backwards
to make the last word rhyme-
just as I did in the verse above
on the very last line.

There are words that do look alike
with spelling near the same-
as, thing and think, but sounded out-
as rhyme the have no claim.

Important are the syllables
those pieces of a word-
one keeps them constant in each line
so rhythm can be heard

A formal style poets use sometime-
is lines in pair that rhyme-
but if your poem starts this way too-
use it till your poem is through.

So now, fellow poets you may begin-
a formal poem to start-
remember all of the formal rules
and let it flow from the heart.