What makes a poem memorable?
Is it the rhythm that hums like a memory, the way certain lines echo a familiar ache, or the quiet courage of saying something simple and true?
Sometimes, it’s none of those things on their own. It’s the way a poem feels noticed, as if it paid attention to the things most people miss.
That’s what Mikaela Kasiala does in Red Ink is What I Think. Her work is intimate, restrained, and deeply felt. It doesn’t need noise to make an impact.
If you’re wondering how to write poetry that feels personal and alive without forcing it, start here.
Begin With What You Notice
You don’t need a dramatic event to write a powerful poem. A breeze through a cracked window. A pair of shoes by the door. The weight of a word left unsaid. That’s more than enough if it matters to you.
Ask yourself:
What do I notice that others walk past?
What quiet truths do I carry?
Kasiala’s poems often center on small, interior moments, but they land with weight. That’s the magic of writing from observation, not invention.
Make the Ordinary Feel Intentional
Writing doesn’t have to be descriptive to make a point.
One way to make a poem unique is to describe something simple—walking to the store, folding laundry—and frame it in a way that feels sacred. It’s not about what’s happening. It’s about how closely you’re willing to look.
In Red Ink is What I Think, even the smallest motions feel deliberate. The writing doesn’t rush. It breathes. It waits. And in that stillness, meaning unfolds.
Let Sound Guide You, Not Control You
You don’t need rhyme to make something musical. Sometimes a pause is more powerful than a punchline.
Read your lines aloud. Do they feel steady? Does the pacing match the mood? Are there echoes of words, images, or emotions that pull the reader deeper?
Kasiala’s poems show how rhythm can be soft and emotional, like a pulse under the surface. Don’t try to impress the reader. Try to move them.
Break the Rules, Gently
Once you understand poetic forms, don’t be afraid to bend them. Write a poem that’s just one sentence. Let a stanza drift across the page. Start every line with the same word. Let your voice lead.
Kasiala’s work reminds us that a poem isn’t about showing off. It’s about showing up.
There’s no secret recipe for the perfect poem. But the ones that feel fun, interesting, and unique all have something in common: they sound like the person who wrote them.
Red Ink is What I Think by Mikaela Kasiala brings rhythm, restraint, and emotional clarity to the page in a way that lingers. If you’re looking for poetry that feels both intimate and powerful, this collection is the perfect place to begin.
So, write about what moves you. Notice what others ignore. Say what only you can say.And trust that if you’re honest and curious, the poem will follow, just like in Mikaela Kasiala’s Red Ink is What I Think.
