How To Cook A Poem

Imagery

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." ~ Anton Chekhov 

Imagery is the use of figurative language to represent objects, actions, ideas etc. in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses. It builds effective communication with the reader and transports his mind to the beautiful world of poetry. The reader can recollect images from his memory or be introduced to completely new ideas and thought trains through imagery. 

The masterful use of images to evoke the reader's feelings and senses in poetry is like having a magic masala that can transform your dish from a mediocre recipe to a work of art.

Basho's most quoted hokku, considered the apogee for manifesting "eternity in tranquility", is a fine example to illustrate the importance of images in haiku and senryu.

furuike ya / kawazu tobikomu / mizu no oto

Old pond...
a frog jumps in
water's sound.

~Matsuo Basho

(Translated by William J. Higginson) 

Poetry is an art of metaphors and similes.

Of the myriads of spices which one can use to add imagery to one's dish, I feel, metaphors and similes do this job better than the rest.   

While both similes and metaphors are used to make comparisons, the difference between similes and metaphors comes down to a word. Similes use the words like or as to compare things—"Life is like a box of chocolates." In contrast, metaphors directly state a comparison—"Love is a battlefield." (Source: grammarly.com)

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees.
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding—
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door."

~ The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes {Collected Poems(1947)}

The Highwayman has breathtaking metaphors and similes.

What if I told you, two of the most quoted dialogues of the Joker from The Dark Knight:

"You know what I am? I am a mad dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it!"  

"Madness is like gravity......all it needs is a little push"

Is but a metaphor and a simile.