Themes

A few ideas on themes.

I've recently started entering the PO' contests and I've noticed something.

Themes.

How they shape a poem, more than any picture or word bank could, without directing it.

You can have a theme, and then an underlying message.

Like right now, I'm working on another poem with the theme of:

Russian Roulette
with a UM of:

Chance is chance, no matter what side of the luck your on.

So many people only see the theme, and not the message.
So I'm going to put up a few 'original themes' and a a few ideas on UM that could go with them

1. Pivotal Points on a Pendulum
Where you are, where you've been where you're going
the way each one affects your views on the other.
just like the sway of the pendulum at one point will dictate how it reacts at another.

2. //But the noose was just a ribbon of faith//
Why do we hang ourselves with religion?
Why do we hang ourselves with disbelief?
Why do we trust, if we know it will hurt?

3. Broken Mosaic Tiles Lay beneath her feet.
The typical broken dreams OR
Watching the world break and going on anyway.
Walking on broken eggshells

4.Flashing Fragrances Remind me Why I Hate you
Memories OR
Does a smell remind you of a personality trait?



My themes aren't typical. Most people use themes that are simple. One worded, two worded or perhaps a sentence
'Ocean currents'
'running away'

Mine could be lines in that poem.
Simply because I like more poetical themes. They make me think more.