There are many reasons as to why I write poetry -- specifically, spoken word poetry. I started writing it about three or four years ago, just for fun. Over the past couple of years, I have developed a strong love for poetry writing. Here are some of the reasons why I write poetry (and why you might want to try it, too).

1. I write poetry to escape, and to clear my head.

Writing poetry gives me a place to get all of my thoughts, my fears, and my worries, out of my head, off my shoulders, and onto paper. This gives me a way to relieve myself of stress, and gives me a chance to start over on whatever project I am working on. It also gives me a way to escape from the "real world" - so to speak - even if it is just for a moment or two.

2. I write poetry to tell a story.

Sometimes, my poetry comes out as a story. Usually, all poetry tells a story. For me, my poetry tells the story of my life, and tells the story of whatever the moment brings. Sometimes that story is sad, and sometimes it is a happy one, but it is a story nonetheless. Quite a bit of the time, my stories are either something that has actually happened to me, or to someone I know. However, sometimes, even if I do not mean it too, my poetry tells a story.

3. I write poetry to clear my head.

Being able to get whatever is on my mind onto paper helps me stop thinking about whatever is going on. It gives me a chance to clear my head and completely start over. This especially helps whenever I am extremely stressed out -- like during midterms or during finals week. As I stated in my first point, my poetry gives me a chance to escape from the "real world," and climb inside my thoughts for a moment. When I put my thoughts onto paper, I feel refreshed and motivated to keep working on whatever I need to work on.

4. I write poetry because I enjoy it.

I know not everyone enjoys writing poetry, or even writing in general, but I really enjoy it. Writing poetry has become a new found love of mine, and it has quickly developed into a hobby that takes nothing more than pen and paper (or a Word document or a Google doc). I enjoy writing poetry because I love telling stories, and I absolutely love writing.

5. Lastly, I write poetry because it helps me relax.

Much like how reading or music helps other people relax, writing poetry helps me relax. Again, part of the reason it helps me relax, is because at the end of the day, I can write and get everything out of my head and onto paper. I have found that being able to do this helps me distress and helps me get a good night's sleep. If you choose to start writing poetry, it may help you sleep better, too.