I didn’t see, I didn’t say
I thought it would all be okay

I look like you you look like me
something you won’t believe
what did you say

what made you smile
I made you smile
a smile we made to save this too
it’s what I do

I just want to know
where we’re going
if there’s anywhere to go

and I’m sorry if I wasn’t
even watching
when you told me so

I will be all right
eventually

and you’ll still be too tight
to hold onto me

Here are a few different examples of ways this poem title could be used:

An alcoholic to a drink
A student to a teacher
A gardener to a dandelion
A sugar cube to an ant
A child to a parent
A friend to another friend
A poem to an ex

Really, the possibilities are endless on this. You can use it as an exercise to release some pent up anger, or use some creativity and see if you can twist it into a non-hating poem.

Here’s some of our examples you can use for inspiration:

Smoking

I need you
the minute I put you out
I want you
every time you’re not around
You make me feel old
You alienate me from my friends
I don’t want to kiss anyone
after I’ve had you
You taste too smooth
You cost too much
You pollute the air
and blacken my lungs
I’m addicted to you.

You’re a Jerk

Let me be
blatantly honest here
I don’t like you
and I probably never will

And since I don’t like you
and probably never will
I guess I owe it to you
to at least tell you why

You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk
1, 2, 3, how easy this is, see?
You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk
4, 5, 6
You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk
7, 8, 9
You’re a jerk, a jerk, you’re a jerk
You’re a really big jerk

So now you know why I don’t like you
and probably never will

Inner Coward

1. You’re quite the eloquent type
who always knows
the right thing to say
2. And you use this to your advantage
3. You take everything for granted

4. You have a narrow perspective
5. A skewed view on life that’s defective
6. It doesn’t take a detective
to see you clearly think
this globe spins for you

7. You are not a man
8. but a boy in a big guy body
9. too insecure to be yourself
10. So you hide and try to control

Now that you’ve read our few examples, it is your turn to try this writing exercise and let us know what kind of poem you get! We’d love to see your 10 Things I Hate About You poems shared with us in the comments section below!

Poem by Justin Germino

How should I do that?
Should I take a nap?

I am trapped in a box
I would like to get out of
to see things from a new perspective

Looking around,
I am not sure what I’ve found

But you are right
sometimes thinking a little sideways is what you need.