Introduction. What this book is for. Total dedication to poetry. Why there can be no "instruction manual." The myth of "talent."

Chapter I. The classic 20th century style, based on Imagism. Why I am not qualified to write this book (captatio benevolentiae!) Why children and polar bears can write good poetry. Pound's principles of "charging language with meaning." will still get you 90% of the way. Wyatt. Robert Herrick. Reverdy. Williams. Niedecker. Ceravolo. Coolidge. David Shapiro's translation of Ryokan. Silliman's Paradise. The avant-garde is the tradition.

Chapter II. Why the Russell Edson / Charles Simic approach is limiting. Pitfalls of a contemporary style based on prose models. Advantages and drawbacks of the contemporary period style. The translation trap.

Chapter III. Introducing the logos back into the mix. Oulipo procedures to make a "surrealist" poem by W.S Merwin interesting. Under-writing and over-writing. The "under-crafted poem" and the "over-crafted poem." Barbara Guest. Rae Armantrout.

Chapter IV. Melopoeia for the busy professional. Why "new formalism" is a fraud. Hearing the poem.

Chapter V. The process of writing. Listening to the interior babble. Pitfalls of revision. The Million Poems method. Only you can write your poems.

Chapter VI. Essential reading lists. Why you must read poetry without stopping. Did I mention total dedication? Why you must throw this book away after reading it. After all, poetry shouldn't have an instruction manual and I am not qualified to write one anyway.

Chapter VII. A brief anthology.