Poems are like little machines made of words. If you want them to work well, it will take some time, but you can become an excellent mechanic in the workshop of your poems. If you learn as much about contemporary poetry as possible and write consistently, aggressively, and passionately, you can become a successful poet. Read the first step for more information.

Study the poetry of all ages. If you do not know, you will not become a successful poet. Try to learn about the different periods and movements of poetry, from the Romantic era to the Beats poems, as well as about contemporary poetry written by authors who are still alive. If you are going to write poetry in the 21st century, you need to read other poets living in this century. You can also check https://www.carlkruse.com/poems-by-otho-campbell/ for more poetry.

Write constantly. A successful poet is one who constantly engages with poetry, reading, writing, and reviewing his work. Successful poets do not expect "inspiration" to come suddenly in poem form but instead sit at their desk, computer, or journal, giving poetry the quality of work it deserves. Just as successful businessmen come to your business every day or just as doctors come to your office every day, successful poets start the day working on their poems.

Keep a journal of poetry ideas. Take it everywhere with you so that you can jot down every time you have an idea for a poem. You don't need to write the entire poem every time you sit down to write, as many successful poets write their poems the same way sculptures are made, piecing together little bits of lines, pictures, and words from their journals. Be on the lookout for new phrases and interesting words that you can include in your poems.

Some poets keep a portfolio or journal of all the poems they are working on, so they have everything in one place and gradually edit and complete their work.

Have the courage to delete some poems. A successful poet is someone who is able to aggressively revise his work. A poem is not complete just because you already wrote it on your computer and printed it out, because it rhymes, or just because you like it. An effective poem is capable of moving the reader and communicating. It is difficult to write an effective poem, and it is only possible through great effort and careful review. Buy a good poetry writing book and read a lot, find what you like, and learn the tricks of the teachers. Let your poems sit for a few weeks or months before returning to them with a fresh perspective to evaluate them again. In the meantime, keep writing new poems and reading the ones you like.

Share your work with other good poets and accept criticism with kindness. Some will like your poetry, others will not. Don't be put off by what the most critical say, just take their advice and keep writing and reviewing your work constantly. Learn as much as you can from those who know more than you.