Narrative poetry is poetry that tells a story—much like a novel, but distilled into its most powerful moments. Unlike traditional storytelling, narrative poetry leans on imagery, rhythm, and emotion to drive the reader through an experience. In So Heavy, I Fell, each poem stands on its own but also threads into a larger, cohesive journey—one of mental health, self-discovery, trauma, and healing.
Key Elements of Narrative Poetry
- Character as the Speaker – The narrator is often personal, raw, and reflective. In So Heavy, I Fell, the speaker evolves throughout the collection, confronting darkness, loss, and ultimately resilience.
- Emotional Arc – Instead of a traditional plot, narrative poetry often follows an emotional journey. My collection moves from descent to reckoning to healing.
- Theme as the Backbone – Every poem supports the larger theme, whether it’s loss, empowerment, or transformation.
- Imagery that Hits Deep – The language isn’t just descriptive; it’s visceral. The reader should feel like they are falling, breaking, healing alongside the speaker.
- Free Verse with Purpose – So Heavy, I Fell doesn’t follow strict rhyme schemes, but its rhythm and flow create momentum, pulling the reader deeper into the story.
How to Write Narrative Poetry
Step 1: Define the Emotional Journey
- Where does your speaker begin? Where do they end?
- What emotions do you want to evoke in your reader? (Raw vulnerability? Quiet strength? Unfiltered pain?)
- Think of your poetry collection as a story in fragments, each piece revealing another layer of the speaker’s truth.
Step 2: Create a Speaker with Depth
- In So Heavy, I Fell, the speaker isn’t just telling a story; they’re living it.
- Their voice is honest, introspective, and sometimes defiant, mirroring the real experiences of trauma and healing.
- Readers connect when they see real, flawed, evolving emotions on the page.
Step 3: Use Imagery to Create Impact
- Show pain, transformation, and hope through metaphor, contrast, and vivid details.
- Instead of saying, “I felt lost,” say, “I fell through a crack in the world, and the sky swallowed me whole.”
- In So Heavy, I Fell, imagery like fractured mirrors, burning skies, and sinking bodies create an atmosphere of emotional descent and awakening.
Step 4: Let Form Reflect Meaning
- Short, clipped lines can mirror anxiety or breathlessness.
- Long, flowing stanzas can create a dreamlike or overwhelming feeling.
- Use space, line breaks, and rhythm to make the reader feel the weight of the words.
Step 5: End with Impact
- Not every poem needs a resolution, but it should **leave the reader with something—**a realization, a question, or a feeling that lingers.
- In So Heavy, I Fell, the later poems don’t erase the past pain, but they shift the perspective, moving toward strength rather than just survival.
Example from So Heavy, I Fell
“When I fell, I tumbled from grace, From a sky that tore itself apart—“
This moment captures an entire emotional shift—not just falling into despair, but falling inward, confronting the self.
Final Thoughts
Narrative poetry is about creating a journey in verse. It’s about crafting a world where the reader walks alongside the speaker, feeling every weight, every loss, and every rise.
If you have a story to tell, don’t just tell it—let the reader experience it. That’s the heart of narrative poetry.
Write boldly. Write truthfully. Write something that lingers.
J.N. Rose 