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Ending a poem strongly is like running well the last stretch of a race.\u00a0 If you were not in the lead before, it gives you a last chance to win, and if you were in the lead, it assures you victory.\u00a0 In the same fashion, a strong conclusion in poetry gives you one final opportunity to impress your reader with whatever you wanted to say.\u00a0 If your last lines are strong, that is the impression people will carry away with them.\u00a0 And incidentally, those same lines will act almost like a preface to your next poem.\u00a0 The reader will have a greater desire to hear your poetry again, if they were favourably impressed the first time.\u00a0 And that’s why concluding lines are so important.<\/p>\n
Fulfilling the First Lines <\/strong><\/h5>\nOne way of achieving a strong ending is to make the last lines a fulfillment of the first lines\u2014a statement that builds on your opening one and ties together the poem as a whole.\u00a0 A good example of this is found in the hymn “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken<\/a>.” \u00a0The hymn begins by speaking of the gloriousness of Zion, the city of God, and the first three verses continue to describe all the blessings with which it is surrounded.\u00a0 The final verse makes the blessings of Zion a personal interest for us.\u00a0 Take a look at the first and last verses printed below.<\/p>\nFirst Verse<\/strong><\/p>\n“Glorious things of thee are spoken,
\nZion, city of our God;
\nHe whose Word cannot be broken
\nFormed thee for His own abode:
\nOn the Rock of Ages founded,
\nWhat can shake thy sure repose?
\nWith salvation’s walls surrounded,
\nThou may’st smile at all thy foes.<\/p>\n
Final Verse<\/strong><\/p>\nSaviour, if of Zion’s city
\nI, through grace, a member am,
\nLet the world deride or pity,
\nI will glory in Thy name:
\nFading is the worldling’s pleasure,
\nAll his boasted pomp and show;
\nSolid joys and lasting treasure
\nNone but Zion’s children know.”<\/p>\n
The hymn ends on such a satisfying, triumphant note, telling us first that we belong to Zion\u2014whose glories have been detailed above\u2014and then, that none but Zion’s children know solid joys and lasting treasure!\u00a0 See how those last two lines tie back to the opening verse, and build upon it\u2014fulfilling it, and bringing it to a joyful and victorious conclusion.\u00a0 This technique is especially prominent in hymn-writing, because the whole of the Christian life is taking everything a step farther.\u00a0 After the blessings of earth, there are always the blessings of heaven.\u00a0 As with any thought which has been used frequently, we do need to find an original way of expressing it, but that is precisely what this hymn does, finding a new way to express the idea that the Christian life is infinitely more fulfilling than any earthly satisfaction.<\/p>\n
Contrasting with the First Lines <\/strong><\/h5>\nA similar technique with a different slant to it, is to contrast<\/em> the beginning and ending thoughts.\u00a0 Using the last lines to recollect your opening and say, “Not like that<\/em>, but like this<\/em>.”\u00a0 We see this device used in “Once in Royal David’s City<\/a>.” \u00a0Because it is a Christmas hymn, the body of the piece focuses on Christ’s first coming to earth as a baby in the manger, but in the last verse the author writes,<\/p>\n“Not in that poor lowly stable,
\nWith the oxen standing by,
\nWe shall see Him; but in heaven,
\nSet at God’s right hand on high:
\nWhen like stars His children crowned,
\nAll in white shall gather round.”<\/p>\n
In this case it is a contrast between how the earth saw Jesus at His first coming, and how we as Christians shall see Him when he comes again. There is an element of fulfilling in this verse as well, in the sense that Christ’s first coming is not complete without His second coming.\u00a0 Notice also, that the whole stanza is the strong ending here, rather than just the last couple of lines, which is perfectly acceptable as long as the last few don’t detract<\/em> from the rest of the verse.<\/p>\nConcluding with a Chorus <\/strong><\/h5>\nWhen a hymn, or occasionally a poem, has some kind of refrain or chorus, it is the chorus that needs to end strongly.\u00a0 There is a temptation to allow the chorus to be a little bit weaker than the rest of the hymn, but this has serious implications in the last verse.\u00a0 Ending strongly with a chorus is also important because of its repetition.\u00a0 If you have a six-stanza hymn, your chorus will be sung six times\u2014so it had better be worth hearing!\u00a0 Take a look at the chorus for “Thine is the Glory<\/a>,” \u00a0which does an exceptional job of building momentum rather than losing it with repetition.<\/p>\n“Thine is the glory, risen conq’ring Son,
\nEndless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.”<\/p>\n
That, in a nutshell, is the essence of the hymn, captured in only two lines.\u00a0 That is what a good chorus should be\u2014an abstract of the strongest thoughts in the entire poem, repeated at the end of every verse to add power and force to the idea.\u00a0 It ends the hymn very strongly, saving its most triumphant lines for the end, and not wasting them either, since the chorus gets repeated three times!\u00a0 Interestingly, the author chooses to begin the hymn with the same lines as the chorus, which has the effect of tying the two together, like we spoke of above.<\/p>\n
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<\/h5>\nA Striking or Original Thought <\/strong><\/h5>\nIf a thought, or expression of a thought, is strong enough, it will need no connection to the opening to give the reader a powerful idea to carry away.\u00a0 It will have enough weight on its own to end the poem well.\u00a0 We see this displayed in the hymn “God Moves in a Mysterious Way<\/a>.” \u00a0Actually, the entire hymn is full of original thoughts expressed with vivid imagery.\u00a0 Of course, captivating thoughts are the hallmark of a great poet, and this is certainly one of Cowper’s most outstanding pieces.\u00a0 The whole poem is like an echo of “. . . as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) \u00a0Listen to the closing stanza:<\/p>\n“Blind unbelief is sure to err,
\nAnd scan His work in vain;
\nGod is His own interpreter,
\nAnd He will make it plain.”<\/p>\n
Well!\u00a0 There is not much more one can say, so striking and unanswerable is the poet’s last remark.\u00a0 God’s ways may be mysterious, but He is His own Interpreter!\u00a0 It gives the reader something to think of as they go away, and solidifies the impression they gained from the first lines, which built through various thoughts and expressions in the middle portion, and finished with unchallengeable strength in these last striking lines.<\/p>\n
A Lasting Impression <\/strong><\/h5>\nEverything hinges on the ending.\u00a0 Ultimately, if you end strongly, that is what will stick with the reader.\u00a0 Time and thought often need to go into those crucial last lines, in order to make them the strongest they can be.\u00a0 Don’t be deceived by the idea that great poets dash off a masterpiece in an hour.\u00a0 Some of the greatest poems you will ever write will take weeks or months, or sometimes even years, to complete.\u00a0 This is because great thoughts take time to mature.\u00a0 So take that time to be sure that your poems end strongly, because if you do, the lasting impression your reader takes away will be a good one\u2014one that keeps them coming back to your poetry again and again.<\/p>\n
To receive\u00a0a PDF of the assignment for this lesson sign up below.<\/strong><\/h5>\nHow To Sign Up<\/strong><\/p>\nAll ten poetry lessons can be found by clicking on the Poet\u2019s Corner tab in the menu.\u00a0 If you would like to receive the course assignments as well, you can sign up below to have the lessons and assignments delivered by email over a ten week period.<\/p>\n
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First Verse<\/strong><\/p>\n “Glorious things of thee are spoken, Final Verse<\/strong><\/p>\n Saviour, if of Zion’s city The hymn ends on such a satisfying, triumphant note, telling us first that we belong to Zion\u2014whose glories have been detailed above\u2014and then, that none but Zion’s children know solid joys and lasting treasure!\u00a0 See how those last two lines tie back to the opening verse, and build upon it\u2014fulfilling it, and bringing it to a joyful and victorious conclusion.\u00a0 This technique is especially prominent in hymn-writing, because the whole of the Christian life is taking everything a step farther.\u00a0 After the blessings of earth, there are always the blessings of heaven.\u00a0 As with any thought which has been used frequently, we do need to find an original way of expressing it, but that is precisely what this hymn does, finding a new way to express the idea that the Christian life is infinitely more fulfilling than any earthly satisfaction.<\/p>\n A similar technique with a different slant to it, is to contrast<\/em> the beginning and ending thoughts.\u00a0 Using the last lines to recollect your opening and say, “Not like that<\/em>, but like this<\/em>.”\u00a0 We see this device used in “Once in Royal David’s City<\/a>.” \u00a0Because it is a Christmas hymn, the body of the piece focuses on Christ’s first coming to earth as a baby in the manger, but in the last verse the author writes,<\/p>\n “Not in that poor lowly stable, In this case it is a contrast between how the earth saw Jesus at His first coming, and how we as Christians shall see Him when he comes again. There is an element of fulfilling in this verse as well, in the sense that Christ’s first coming is not complete without His second coming.\u00a0 Notice also, that the whole stanza is the strong ending here, rather than just the last couple of lines, which is perfectly acceptable as long as the last few don’t detract<\/em> from the rest of the verse.<\/p>\n When a hymn, or occasionally a poem, has some kind of refrain or chorus, it is the chorus that needs to end strongly.\u00a0 There is a temptation to allow the chorus to be a little bit weaker than the rest of the hymn, but this has serious implications in the last verse.\u00a0 Ending strongly with a chorus is also important because of its repetition.\u00a0 If you have a six-stanza hymn, your chorus will be sung six times\u2014so it had better be worth hearing!\u00a0 Take a look at the chorus for “Thine is the Glory<\/a>,” \u00a0which does an exceptional job of building momentum rather than losing it with repetition.<\/p>\n “Thine is the glory, risen conq’ring Son, That, in a nutshell, is the essence of the hymn, captured in only two lines.\u00a0 That is what a good chorus should be\u2014an abstract of the strongest thoughts in the entire poem, repeated at the end of every verse to add power and force to the idea.\u00a0 It ends the hymn very strongly, saving its most triumphant lines for the end, and not wasting them either, since the chorus gets repeated three times!\u00a0 Interestingly, the author chooses to begin the hymn with the same lines as the chorus, which has the effect of tying the two together, like we spoke of above.<\/p>\n If a thought, or expression of a thought, is strong enough, it will need no connection to the opening to give the reader a powerful idea to carry away.\u00a0 It will have enough weight on its own to end the poem well.\u00a0 We see this displayed in the hymn “God Moves in a Mysterious Way<\/a>.” \u00a0Actually, the entire hymn is full of original thoughts expressed with vivid imagery.\u00a0 Of course, captivating thoughts are the hallmark of a great poet, and this is certainly one of Cowper’s most outstanding pieces.\u00a0 The whole poem is like an echo of “. . . as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) \u00a0Listen to the closing stanza:<\/p>\n “Blind unbelief is sure to err, Well!\u00a0 There is not much more one can say, so striking and unanswerable is the poet’s last remark.\u00a0 God’s ways may be mysterious, but He is His own Interpreter!\u00a0 It gives the reader something to think of as they go away, and solidifies the impression they gained from the first lines, which built through various thoughts and expressions in the middle portion, and finished with unchallengeable strength in these last striking lines.<\/p>\n Everything hinges on the ending.\u00a0 Ultimately, if you end strongly, that is what will stick with the reader.\u00a0 Time and thought often need to go into those crucial last lines, in order to make them the strongest they can be.\u00a0 Don’t be deceived by the idea that great poets dash off a masterpiece in an hour.\u00a0 Some of the greatest poems you will ever write will take weeks or months, or sometimes even years, to complete.\u00a0 This is because great thoughts take time to mature.\u00a0 So take that time to be sure that your poems end strongly, because if you do, the lasting impression your reader takes away will be a good one\u2014one that keeps them coming back to your poetry again and again.<\/p>\n How To Sign Up<\/strong><\/p>\n All ten poetry lessons can be found by clicking on the Poet\u2019s Corner tab in the menu.\u00a0 If you would like to receive the course assignments as well, you can sign up below to have the lessons and assignments delivered by email over a ten week period.<\/p>\n
\nZion, city of our God;
\nHe whose Word cannot be broken
\nFormed thee for His own abode:
\nOn the Rock of Ages founded,
\nWhat can shake thy sure repose?
\nWith salvation’s walls surrounded,
\nThou may’st smile at all thy foes.<\/p>\n
\nI, through grace, a member am,
\nLet the world deride or pity,
\nI will glory in Thy name:
\nFading is the worldling’s pleasure,
\nAll his boasted pomp and show;
\nSolid joys and lasting treasure
\nNone but Zion’s children know.”<\/p>\nContrasting with the First Lines <\/strong><\/h5>\n
\nWith the oxen standing by,
\nWe shall see Him; but in heaven,
\nSet at God’s right hand on high:
\nWhen like stars His children crowned,
\nAll in white shall gather round.”<\/p>\nConcluding with a Chorus <\/strong><\/h5>\n
\nEndless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.”<\/p>\n<\/h5>\nA Striking or Original Thought <\/strong><\/h5>\n
\nAnd scan His work in vain;
\nGod is His own interpreter,
\nAnd He will make it plain.”<\/p>\nA Lasting Impression <\/strong><\/h5>\n
To receive\u00a0a PDF of the assignment for this lesson sign up below.<\/strong><\/h5>\n