Talk Around the Subject

When we write about a burning building, we describe hot ash raining down. We describe orange-red flames shooting toward the sky. Flames could be seen for miles as black billows fill the air with a choking, suffocating film that clings to all surfaces. Skin becomes coated in an oily consistency caused by the heat of fire, sweat of humans, and that engulfing blackness. Or, we could simply say the building is on fire.

We can write about pain that leaves us incapable of rising from our beds in the morning. We often wet ourselves because the searing heat in our knees leaves us crippled before we can reach the bathroom. The brain becomes so clouded that we can't even crawl for help. Or, we could say he was in pain.

We can write about love as a feeling that melts our hearts simply hearing his voice. Just the right look sends you swooning into his arms. You become hungry for his kisses and more just because. The clock slows or almost stops when you're together because nothing else is as important and the two of you in that moment. Or, we could just say you're in love.

These examples go to illustrate a point. That point is especially valuable in poetry. Let's write a love poem without mentioning the word love. Let's write about fire without mentioning fire. Let's write about pain without mentioning pain. It is actually very easy to do. I hope my examples were adequate enough to emphasize that.