Focusing on the foundations of poetry, this reference teaches aspiring poets the mechanics of writing verse. Offering advice on the abstract poetic notions?what makes good poetry, the meaning and inspirations of poetry?and the concrete?how to start a poem, how to craft its shape, and how to use the various poetic forms?this concise and insightful book provides inspiring and practical instruction. Including the author's own poems for guidance, this revised edition also discusses the direction of post-millennium, contemporary poetry.