Songs are structured into verses, similar to stanzas in poetry. Most songs have verses that are eight to twelve lines long. The lines in verses are usually short, no longer than eight to ten words. Break up your poetry into verses so it better reflects the structure of a song.  You may need to add or remove words from each line of your poetry to make them into verses. Be open to changing the lines of your poetry as needed to make them into song lyrics. When you are creating the verses, use lines in your poetry that are easy to follow and understand. You can also rearrange words or lines in your poetry to form a verse. Most song lyrics will include a chorus, which is usually six to eight lines long. The chorus will repeat after each verse in the song. It should contain the central idea or meaning of the song. Take the words in your poetry and create a chorus for the song that is short and uses several words over and over again.  For example, you may take a longer line in your poetry like, “The wind screams by my window and I am alone in my childhood bedroom, trying not to look at the new moon” and break it up to create a chorus: “The wind screams by my window/I am alone/The wind screams by my window/I’m not looking/The wind screams/At the new moon.” The chorus of the song will usually contain the title of the song. You may use the title of your poem as inspiration for the chorus of the song. Not all song lyrics rhyme. In fact, many modern songs have no rhyme scheme at all. Maybe you decide to avoid rhyme because you want the freedom to use whatever words you want. Or perhaps you want your song to rhyme so it is more catchy for your listeners.  If you decide to include rhyme in your song lyrics, you may simplify the rhyme scheme in your poetry so it is more casual and easy to follow. For example, if you have a poem where every second line rhymes, you may adjust it so only the first and third lines rhyme or only the second and fourth lines rhyme. If you are composing rap lyrics, you may decide to stick to a couplet rhyming scheme, where every two lines rhyme in the song. Many songwriters are also known as poets who have written or published poetry. Listen to their songs and read their song lyrics to get a better sense of how they combine poetry with music. You may listen to:  “20th Century Schizoid Man” by King Crimson, which was co-written by poet Peter Sinfield. “Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan, who is considered a poet as well as a songwriter. “Blood on the Leaves” by Nina Simone, which is considered a song with poetic, powerful lyrics. “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell, who is considered a poetic singer-songwriter.
Create eight to twelve line verses. Compose a short, repetitive chorus. Decide whether or not your song lyrics will rhyme. Listen to songs that have been written by poets.