A Must-read Book for New Poets

Young writers who are serious about developing their craft must read Letters to a Young Poet, a short compilation of correspondence from the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke to a fledgling writer known only as Mr. Kappus.

What started as Mr. Kappus’ request for Rilke to read and critique his poems bloomed into precious advice for all writers.

The core question: Must you write? With this, Rilke dared poets to find a purpose for writing and to write well. He went on to add that only when we say “because we must,” can we truly go forth with the endeavor. The reason is silent, inexplicable, yet a strong force welling from deep within. Writing, as with any other task, must be done with conviction.

Do you really love writing so much so that you think there’s no other way to go?

It takes conviction to get into the craft and keep at it. It gives us the patience to work towards perfection. It gives the humility to learn from our mistakes. It helps us withstand criticisms and rejection letters. It gives us the drive to keep writing over and over again.

Rather than show the ultimate secret to creating earth-shaking poetry and being famous for it, Rilke spoke as a kindly tutor. He challenged young poets to go deep into their memory, their beliefs and then to write with courage.

 ”A work of art is good if it has sprung from necessity…Go into yourself and test the deeps in which your life takes rise; at its source you will find the answer to the question whether you must create. Accept it, just as it sounds, without inquiring into it. Perhaps it will turn out that you are called to be an artist. Then take that destiny upon yourself and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what recompense might come from outside.”

– Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke (Transl. M.D. Herter Norton)

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Rilke advised Mr. Kappus to read –a lot. Read THIS ARTICLE on for tips on reading, understanding and enjoying poetry.

Many poets, including Rilke, believe that metaphors are essential to poetry. THIS RESOURCE talks more about creating metaphors and poems with impact and truth.