The most popular style of our time is the 'free verse' style. This form originated in the late 19th century, with Walt Whitman being credited for it. Before this form was introduced, poetry was restricted to certain form.

Patterns are common to formal poetry. Scansion is the analyzing of rhyme and meter. A letter is commonly places at the end of each line beginning with the first letter of the alphabet A for the first rhyme, and B for the second, etc.

For example if the first two line rhyme with each other, their letters would be AA. If the second set of lines rhyme with each other the rhyme pattern would be AABB. If the fifth line doesn't rhyme a C would be introduced and so on.

The number of beats in each line is called the meter. "Iambic pentameter" is the most commonly used. Words with this type of beat consist of a short pulse followed by a strong pulse. Examples would be arrest, domain, forsooth, etc. The accent is on the second syllable.

Time for the fun stuff! When you tell stories or write letters, how do you start? Is it maybe something you overheard, or read about? Or maybe something you witnessed? Start with something that is comfortable to you.

What type of poem did you have in mind? A Story? A comment? Or could it be a character study? Go through some examples to help get you started off on the right foot. It is common to get what is called "writer's block". If this happens, take a break, or come back to it the next day. If your out and something comes to you, jot it down.

It may take many weeks or months to get your poem finished. If your having trouble, take a break. When you come back, carry on from the last line in your poem. You will be delighted at what comes out.