Focus On Creating a Strong Opening and Closing Line

Welcome! I’m participating in the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge where I’ll share 26 posts on the theme “The Poet’s Alphabet: 26 Secrets for Crafting Beautiful Poetry”. In each post, I’ll offer bite-sized tips and tricks for crafting and perfectly editing poetry. Today’s tip is:

Focus On Creating a Strong Opening and Closing Line

The first and last lines of a poem are often the most memorable, so it’s important to make them count. Your opening line should grab the reader’s attention and draw them into the poem, while your closing line should leave a lasting impression. The opening and closing lines of a poem are like bookends that hold everything together. Try to create lines that are memorable, and evocative, and set the tone for the rest of the poem.

Maya Angelou’s poem “Phenomenal Woman” is a great example of the importance of strong opening and closing lines. The poem begins with the lines,

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.

These lines immediately set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Angelou challenges conventional beauty standards and asserts the power and confidence of a woman who is comfortable in her own skin.

The closing lines of the poem are equally strong and memorable, as Angelou writes,

It’s in the click of my heels,   
The bend of my hair,   
the palm of my hand,   
The need for my care.   
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

These lines bring the poem full circle, reminding the reader of the central message and leaving a lasting impression. The opening and closing lines of “Phenomenal Woman” serve as the bookends that hold the entire poem together and make it a powerful and memorable work.

So I hope, next time you start with a poem or edit a poem, this tip comes in handy!

See you with another tip, tomorrow.

This post is a part of the #BlogchatterA2Z 2023 challenge.