How To Write A "Happy" Poem!

leviathan13 · 25-01-2008, 11:41

Hi people

I've offered to write someone a poem, but they hated the fact that I wanted it to be deep and meaningful. They want fluffy bunnies and all round general nice and happy things.

My problem is, from those who know me, or have read any of my previous works, what I write is usually cynical, blasphemous, Satanic, dark, deep or recently, because of a crush on someone, it's been epic tales of longing and despair.

I need some tips on writing something happy or nice. I just can't seem to do it without it sounding like a nursery rhyme or something a 5 year old would write.

Please help.

Cheers

sauerkraut · 28-01-2008, 08:29

Is it for a particular occasion - birthday or wedding anniversary or something? Perhaps try focusing on general themes connected with the occasion. Or: write one of your bleak poems, then look up each adjective in a thesaurus to find its opposite, then you can turn the whole poem inside out!

(Sorry, I'm always saying on here that I'm hopeless with poetry but no-one else had offered any ideas so I at least wanted to try and help!!)

leviathan13 · 28-01-2008, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by sauerkraut

Is it for a particular occasion - birthday or wedding anniversary or something? Perhaps try focusing on general themes connected with the occasion. Or: write one of your bleak poems, then look up each adjective in a thesaurus to find its opposite, then you can turn the whole poem inside out!

(Sorry, I'm always saying on here that I'm hopeless with poetry but no-one else had offered any ideas so I at least wanted to try and help!!)

No worries, any advice is greatly received.

I said I'd write it more fot the challenge. It's not for any occasion other than I quite fancy her and want to make her smile. I'm quite a happy person in real life and use writing as a way of releasing my cynical thoughts, which is why they're always a tad depressing.

I've never written anything happy.

pattricia · 28-01-2008, 14:56

I would go in a shop and look at the verses on birthday cards etc;. They are a bit soppy, but may give you some ideas.(take a pen & paper with you )

leviathan13 · 28-01-2008, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattricia

I would go in a shop and look at the verses on birthday cards etc;. They are a bit soppy, but may give you some ideas.(take a pen & paper with you )

The thought had crossed my mind, but the thought of all that sickly sweet sentiment makes me feel badly in the gut!

I'll use it as a last resport.

pattricia · 28-01-2008, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by leviathan13

The thought had crossed my mind, but the thought of all that sickly sweet sentiment makes me feel badly in the gut!

I'll use it as a last resport.

Look at some silly romantic novels then by Mills & Boone (yuk)

coyleys · 28-01-2008, 17:17

Have a look at this site; it may give you an idea.

http://www.love-poems.me.uk/a_funny_poems_index.htm

sauerkraut · 29-01-2008, 05:44

This came to me in the dead of night and I'm posting it now before I think better of it. It's not exactly rainbows and bunny rabbits but it might give you a few ideas for a compromise solution

.

This was to be my gift to you
My poem
For you
But the words don't come

I wanted to tell the world of you
Your joy
Your life
But my verses fail

How can my words do justice to you
They just
Fall short
And I face the truth

I'm afraid I can't keep my promise to you
Must retreat
Break faith
But I think you know

I really tried

leviathan13 · 30-01-2008, 18:06

Thanks for your advice people, but I finaly managed to write a simple yet sickly sweet poem about animals doing cute things.

It was hard and drained me of all the things that usually make me tick - cynicism, despair, anger, hatred, blasphemy etc.

Keep an eye out for it either on here or the Words & Things website. See my signature for the link to the site.

Also, if you do go on W&T, please feel free to submit your own works to the site Admin. Link is on the site.

Cheers

L.S. III

Peacock Lady · 31-01-2008, 11:26

It's all in the detail. Walk along the road and look for details that you'd use to suggest a miserable mood or a cheerful one. You'll get lots of inspiration.

For example: looking out of the window before me I can see a bucket which has been blown about by the wind and is now lodged against the side of a tree. It's half-full of muddy water. Miserable.

I can also see leaves swirling up against a brilliant blue sky, and the sun's shining. Happy.

Hope that's a help.