Steve Kowit on learning to write poetry

In his book, In the Palm of Your Hand: The Poet's Portable Workshop,Steve Kowit made some interesting comments about how to learn to write poetry.

"There are few better ways to become a more effective poet than by reading a great deal of poetry — from all cultures — and by reading books of criticism about poetry" (p. 262).

"If you want to study poetry with the best teachers, study the works of the great poets" (p. 263).

"The best resource is your own desire to keep writing, keep learning, keep perfecting your skills" (p. 263).

An especially valuable chapter not found in most poetry writing books is titled The Art of Revision. Kowit shows step-by-step how to improve a poem. This kind of instruction by example is often of more benefit than information just telling you how to revise a poem. Just as the pen is mightier than the sword, show is usually mightier than tell.