Lyric poetry is very intimate. I imagine it to be a little like a heart surgeon doing open heart surgery. When he first opens the person’s chest, I imagine there is a quiet hush in the operating room as everyone watches a naked heart beating its uniform rhythm. This modest organ lives in the dark recesses of the human chest, doing its work alone. But to open the human chest and peek inside is to see into a great mystery. Lyric poetry breaks beyond normal communication and offers an invitation to look inside another soul. 

In this way, we see that lyric poetry is risky and challenging. When you write a poem, think of it as inviting another person to converse soul to soul. That is a bit shocking but it will help you as you think about this kind of poetry. Would you run up to a random stranger and start yelling at him? Probably not. At least, you shouldn’t do that if you want the person to listen to you. You need to offer a handshake and a smile. Show the person respect and then give him something interesting to think about. Don’t jam confusing ideas and lines down his throat. Try to draw him into a conversation. Then after a space, ask him to look a little closer.  

In ancient poets, like Ovid, Catullus, and Tibullus, we will see that they are very personal in their poetry but they are doing it in interesting ways that draw us into deeper reflections. We do not really know these poets so it can seem like we are diving into deep waters. Notice how they invite us in. It can be a little subtle turn of phrase or a simple line. But also watch for how they surprise and even shock. Lyric poetry is great at all these things.