Why is simile used in poems

Below are some examples of poems that use an overall metaphor or simile throughout the poem. For some teatime fun, try spotting the metaphors and similes in the following poems! And fare thee weel, my only luve! And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my luve, Though it were ten thousand mile. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm -. Paint chip poetry : pick up paint chips at your local Walmart or paint store.

If you've visited our poetry terms page before, then you know that a simile is a figure of speech using "like" or "as" to compare one thing to another thing of a different kind.

Although different from metaphors , similes also suggest similarities between two unlike things or ideas, allowing for more vivid descriptions and images within verse. Because they make it possible to draw creative, direct comparisons, similes are often found frequently in poetry and prose — writers enjoy using similes to create compelling visual images and emphasize emotional tones.

But learning how to use a simile effectively can take some practice. To help you get a better handle on this literary device we'll walk through a few famous simile examples and give you some tips on how to use similes in your own work. When it comes to similes and other poetic devices, don't be shy — your figurative language can only improve as you practice it, and every writer has to start somewhere.

Tweet us more examples of famous similes PowerPoetry — and if you're determined to become a poet , check out the rest of Power Poetry's resources! Skip to main content. How to Use Simile. They've got the power. Another figure of speech often used in poetry is metaphor , which is another form of comparison, although it does not use the words "like" or "as"; instead it states that something "is" something else.

Most poetry uses at least one of these types of figures of speech and often uses both. Simile is often used to create a mental picture in the reader's mind. For example, a poem might begin with a simile in order to set the tone of the poem. Phrases also can be personified by using simile in a piece of poetry. It can be used to make ordinary objects or ideas seem different or unfamiliar, which might enhance the meaning of the poem for the reader.

The use of simile in poetry often depends on the effect that the writer wishes to produce on the reader.