Lesson 4: Creating Tension

Like any game, poetry loves tension. Baseball is always more interesting when the score is tied in the bottom of the ninth and the slugger steps up to the plate. In basketball, we sit on the edge of our seats when the winning shot goes off at the buzzer. And we all hold our breath in
Slop The Sloosh when the slip goes to the top and the slop goes swoosh!

If you want to create tension in your writing, try using conflicts and contrasts.

A conflict is a struggle between two forces. When you and your sister are fighting over the last pork chop at the dinner table, you have a conflict.

When you take two different things and set them side by side to invite a comparison, you've created a contrast. In the following poem there is a contrast between two kinds of wizards. One is weak and feeble, the other strong and powerful.

The wicked witch is dead
Now we've got a wizard instead.
The bumbling fraud has no magic at all.
His machine is junk! The false fire and all.

Bring me a wizard with fire in his eyes,
With potions and spells that defy and mystify.
Who can turn a frog into a prince
And a dragon into a fly.
Then Poof! disappear
Right in front of your eyes.

Keep your weary wizard
With his carpetbag of tricks.
Keep his smoke and mirrors,
They're bound to make you sick!

And make my wizard
Out of magic, moon and castle mist.
Add the eye of newt,
A touch of toad to make it hiss.
Then stir in fire from heaven
And watch my wizard whiz!

He'll quench the scorch of the dragon
With one drop from his Holy Grail.
He'll terrorize the trolls,
Make the wicked witches wail.
He'll charm the ancient serpent,
Grab it by the tail,
Swing it round and round,
Make a whirlwind whirl!

You keep your country wizard
Promising rainbow skies.
Keep that Kansas wizard at home
Eating Aunt Em's pies.

Bring me a wizard
From old and ancient times.
Bring me a wizard
Who is fearless, free and wild!
You bring me a wizard
With fire in his eyes,
And I'll take that wizard home with me
And make that wizard mine.

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