Problem: Article: When you are writing about subjects like darkness, sadness, loneliness, and death, it can be hard not to fall into cliches and familiar language. A cliche is a description that has been so overused it has lost its meaning. Many readers will gloss over a cliche and/or question the poet's creativity when they come across a cliche. Avoid leaning on cliches in your writing and focus on creating more unique and unfamiliar ways of approaching darkness. Try to stay away from cliches like "dark as night", "lost and alone" or "so lonesome I could cry". Come up with more original descriptions and images in your poem, especially when you are addressing dark themes and elements. One way you can address cliches in your writing is to go over your poem and look for any familiar terms or phrases. You should then underline them and focus on replacing certain words or replacing the phrase so it is less familiar and feels more original. Make sure you are using sensory detail in your poem, as this will make the poem come alive and contain descriptions that are memorable. Think about how a moment looks, sounds, tastes, smells, or feels. Use all five senses to create detailed moments in your poem. For example, maybe you are writing a poem about your grandfather's death. You may focus on the smell of the white lilies at his grave or the gray, thin appearance of your grandfather in his casket. You may also describe the food you ate at his wake and the feeling of holding your grandmother's hand at the funeral. Literary devices like metaphor, simile, and rhyme can help to strengthen the language in your poem and add depth to your writing. Try to use literary devices strategically, especially in a shorter poem. Every line should not be full of metaphors or similes only. You should vary up how you use these literary devices so your poem still flows well and does not seem wordy or long-winded. For example, you may use a metaphor to describe the loneliness of standing in the girl's bathroom at school. You may write, "The stalls are blank eyes in the face of this room". Or, you may use a simile to describe the look and smell of the bathroom. You may write, "The floor is as slick as the surface of a lake" and "The sinks smell like rotten eggs". Some poets, such as Rossetti in "Song", also use rhyme in their dark poetry. Rhyme can be useful for adding some levity and lightness to a poem about heavy, dark subject matter. But it can also make your poem sound too sing-songy and silly. Use rhyme sparingly. Once you have written your first draft, you should read your poem out loud to yourself or to a sympathetic audience. Listen for any awkward phrases or words and highlight them. Ask the listener for feedback on your writing. You should also pay attention to any images that are confusing or lines that are not as strong as they could be. Make sure you are not using cliches in your writing. Your poem should use unfamiliar and interesting images and descriptions that are true to your style and voice. You should go back and edit the poem for clarity once you have read it out loud. Adjust any problem phrases or words you identified and make sure you are using strong, interesting language throughout the poem.
Summary: Avoid cliches. Add sensory detail. Use literary devices. Read your poem out loud.

Problem: Article: The American Dental Association recommends using dental floss at least once every day, but especially when you know there is debris stuck between your teeth. This may also include soft debris, which can include bread. The starch will turn into sugar and bacteria will grow. Try to work the floss as close to the gum as possible between the teeth where the popcorn is stuck. Form the floss into a c-shape around one tooth, then around the next tooth. Work the floss back and forth or up and down, but be sure to also press down and massage your gums to ensure you're flossing thoroughly. Rinse your mouth out with water. Take great care to avoid stabbing or otherwise injuring your gums. Insert the flat end of a toothpick between your teeth at the site where the popcorn is lodged. Gently work the popcorn out from between your teeth, moving it either upward or forward. If this doesn't work or if the toothpick doesn't have a flat end, use a pointed end and gently work the toothpick along your gums. Use extreme caution to avoid injuring your gums or the poking the inside of your mouth. If your teeth are too crooked, then you may need to look for a strong fabric wire that can act like a floss. Brushing is highly effective at removing dental debris like popcorn. Wet the bristles of your toothbrush. Toothpaste is optional for removing debris, but the foaming action may help. Squeeze out a pea-sized blob of toothpaste onto the bristles of your toothbrush. Hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum. Try to work the popcorn out from between your teeth using the bristles in various strokes and movements. Once you remove the popcorn, rinse the bristles of your toothbrush to avoid reintroducing the debris into your mouth.
Summary: Use dental floss. Use a toothpick. Brush your teeth.

Problem: Article: If it is possible, open a dialogue with your aggressor to try to learn his point of view. Ask him questions like, "Is there something specific I did to offend you?" or, "What can I do to make things right between us?" Do not be condescending or argumentative; instead, be understanding and empathetic. It may be difficult to face your adversary, so you could try texting or emailing. However, written words may have a different tone than your true intent, and may be taken the wrong way. Show compassion towards your adversary directly and indirectly. She might be going through a difficult time in her life or lack the skills to deal with certain situations appropriately. Recognize that your adversary is human and has feelings. Try to open your heart to your enemy and put yourself in her shoes to get an idea how she might be feeling. When you choose to forgive someone, recognize that this does not mean your adversary forgives you. You have no control over the actions and feelings of your adversary. Yet, this does not control your decision to forgive. Give up the feeling of control by surrendering yourself and trusting that things will work out. Surrender the grasp you think you have on your adversary to help yourself forgive him. Forgiveness and reconciliation differ greatly because reconciliation requires both parties to work together, whereas forgiveness only requires yourself. Forgiving someone doesn't mean letting her off the hook, it simply means that you accept what happened and you are willing to move on. To "forgive and forget" may not be the best strategy. It is good to remember what your adversary has done to you so that you can learn from the experience and recognize it if it happens again.
Summary:
Talk to the person. Be compassionate. Recognize that you are not in control of your adversary. Understand that forgiveness is up to you.