Most poets make use of epigraphs in their poems from time to time. An epigraph is the quotation that comes after the poem title before the verse begins, or it’s the quote you may see at the beginning of a chapter or section of a book.
Two things to remember: 1) An epigraph sets the theme for what is to follow; 2) do not confuse an epigraph with an epitaph which is the inscription on a tomb or gravestone. (Though no one ever said that an epitaph couldn’t be used as an epigraph!)
A quick look through a handful of poetry books on my shelves produced some of the following epigraphs:
the heat, the stench of things, the unutterable boredom of it all…” ~H.D., Notes on Thought and Vision (epigraph of the poem “Her Island” in Rita Dove’s collection Mother Love)
Here I comes.” ~Ann Lauterbach (epigraph of the poem “Dressing the Parts” in Lynn Emanuel’s collection Then, Suddenly)
Here then, faintly discolored and liable to come apart if you touch it, is the corsage that I kept from the dance.” ~James Salter (epigraph at the start of the collection Shroud of the Gnome by James Tate)
John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who also had never met.” ~From a freshman’s short story (epigraph of the poem “John & Mary” in Stephen Dunn’s collection Different Hours)
And, for those of you who adore the Twilight Saga, you’ll recall that Stephenie Meyer’s epigraph of choice in Eclipse was the poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost. Very telling, eh? An epigraph sets the stage – whether obviously or very obscurely – for the poem it precedes. They are incredibly fun to use and helpful for keeping the writer on track in their ultimate message.
So for this creative writing prompt:
- Choose one of your favorite quotes – whether it’s a line from a song, a poem, a novel, a movie, a newspaper article, or the silly refrain that your best friend says at least five times a day.
- Use that quote as an epigraph that gets you started on a new poem.
- Write at least 15 lines.
- Avoid end rhyme.
- Set the poem aside for a day or two and then go back and reread and revise.
Listen to people, let the words of others reach you. Use life and experience and reading to influence and enhance the writing you do for yourself.
What’s one of your favorite quotes?
Novel Novice 
I really enjoyed this!