A Poetic Primer - Poems Using Imagery and Symbolism

Imagery and symbolism are two of the most fundamental elements of good poetry. E. L. Doctorow, the American author, is quoted as saying:

‎"Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon."

This is never truer than when writing poetry. The intent of many forms of writing is simply to convey information, as Doctorow said, “the fact that it is raining.” This is rarely the case with poetry. The intent of most poetry is not to simply convey information but to elicit in the reader certain sensations or emotions, as Doctorow said, “the feeling of being rained upon.” The poet accomplishes this with the judicious use of imagery and symbolism.

Imagery

Imagery, simply put, is the use of vivid word-pictures. Instead of simple words that provide data to the brain, word-pictures appeal to the senses and emotions as well. They help the reader sense and feel what you have written. Everyone understands the physical act of running. But to experience it entails the sensation and sound of your feet striking the ground, your heart racing, you breath quickening, salty sweat stinging your eyes and more. You get the idea. Poetry is so much more effective and powerful with imagery because it puts the reader in the situation as opposed to simply reading about it.

Use Concrete Images

Most images we use are concrete. They are things that we can see, touch, taste and smell. These make effective images because that is how we relate to the world, through our senses. Vivid memories are made by the sweet taste of an apple, the fragrance of a rose or the sight of a beautiful woman (or handsome man). Imagery in your poem can help call forth the sensations and feelings associated with those memories and help your reader connect with your words in dramatic ways.

In my poem “Words Like Rain”, I equate hurtful, nagging words to a ceaseless rain. Rain, if it goes on too long, makes you cold, wet, numb, uncomfortable and sad.

“Your words they fall like rain it seems
and run off me in drips and streams
I hear them fall, they have no meaning
an endless rant of senseless screaming”

Rain is something that everyone can relate too. The imagery of a ceaseless, inundating rain helps elicit in the reader the desired sensation and emotions.

Keep It in Context

It’s very important that you use appropriate imagery. It won’t help your reader understand your intent if the imagery you use doesn’t fit the subject. In fact, it may have just the opposite effect and stick out like a sore thumb, distracting and confusing the reader.

If your poem is about the birth of a child, normally a joyous event, it doesn’t make sense to use dark, foreboding imagery. Likewise, if the poem is about a dark or sad subject it doesn’t make sense to use images of sunshine, laughing or bright flowers. You images need to fit the context of your poem.

This doesn’t mean you have to use only obvious imagery. If your poem is about building a family, then the imagery of building a stone wall may make sense. You might compare the significant events in the family’s story to the addition of a stone to the wall, making it bigger and stronger. This same imagery might be appropriate if you’re writing about the slow, painful end to a relationship. Each hurtful, painful event equated to the addition of a stone to a wall between the characters. It brings to mind the lyrics from the classic Pink Floyd song:

“All in all, you’re just another brick in the wall”

If you want to convey the passing of time, the obvious imagery of a clock ticking comes first to mind. However, depending on the time frame, you could also use the rising and setting of the sun (a day), the motion of the moon (a month), birthdays (a year) or the sand in an hourglass (an hour or an eternity). I’m sure you get the point.

Don’t Over Do It!

The use of imagery is important but be careful not to overdo it. The message of the poem can get lost with too many images. Images should be used judiciously to bring the desired effect but not become the focus of the poem. Used too much, they simply become a distraction. One or a few well-chosen images will help your more for your poem than a multitude of ill-chosen ones.

Using Symbols

So far, we’ve discussed the use of imagery to elicit certain memories, sensations or feelings in your reader. You can also use symbols to represent alternate meanings in your writing. A symbol is something in itself but that also suggests a deeper meaning. We are not so much interested in the object itself as we are what it symbolizes.

A symbol may be a person, thing, image, word, or event that evokes a range of additional meanings beyond its literal significance. Some examples of symbols used in literature, including poetry, include: the dove to mean peace, rain for cleansing, a rose to represent love or a swan for nature idealized. Thinking of Karl Marx immediately invokes the idea of communism for most people. Hemlock can be a symbol for suicide.

What is the symbol and meaning here in this excerpt from Dorothy Parker’s poem “One Perfect Rose”?

“A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet —
One perfect rose.”

Just as with imagery, be careful not to use too much symbolism. The goal is to help the reader to understand the deeper meaning of your words not to be distracted by them. You should also be careful not to use symbols whose deeper meanings are not clear. It may be clear to you but not to your readers. Keep in mind your audience. Some symbols may have meanings in your own culture but have no meaning or different, even undesirable, meanings to others.

Avoid using worn out or cliché symbols. As mentioned before, the rose is a symbol for love. However, this symbol has become cliché for many. You want to capture your readers attention not bore them. Try to be original in your use of imagery and symbolism. Making your readers think a little before they grasp your deeper meaning is not necessarily a bad thing.

Read, Read More, Then Practice

Imagery and symbolism are some of the most powerful tools at the poets command. When used well, imagery can make a poem come alive. It can put the reader in the midst of the action, in the heat of the battle, feeling the pain of defeat, the joy of victory or the rapture of love. Imagery can paint a sunset in the mind of the reader. Don’t underestimate the power and value of imagery in your poems. Poems with symbolism and poems using imagery capture the readers imagination more easily and can convey deeper, richer meanings than poems without.

As with any aspect of writing poetry, the best thing you can to do understand and learn the use of imagery and symbolism is to read poetry. Read a lot and then read more. Pay special attention to the imagery and symbols. Which were used? What emotions, sensations or meanings did they bring to mind? Take notes, if you like. It’s O.K.

Exposing yourself to the imagery used in other’s poetry is only the first step. You need to sit down and write yourself. Don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid to try different things. Don’t be afraid to show your poetry to others. Ask your readers how it made them feel, what they sensed. Did they grasp your meaning? Did you succeed as you hoped? If not, keep at it.

The use of imagery is a skill than can be learned. It can be developed and honed into a powerful writing tool. Don’t give up! Few people are natural born poets. Most poets labor over their work. If you don’t believe me, read this quote from Oscar Wilde:

“I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again.”

Writing poetry wasn’t meant to be easy. After all, how easy can it be to put your soul on paper?