Hey! In my opinion, a “good” poem (and of course that’s subjective) is one that makes the reader think from different perspectives or look at a topic in a new light. Apparently some of my most successful poems have made my readers re-think their views on certain issues, simply because I showed them a different view through those poems.
Don’t shy away from controversial subjects or rare subjects. Judges aren’t looking for poems that have absolutely no life lessons or depth to them. If you write about a yellow balloon, cool. But if you just write about it floating away into the sky and that’s it, what are the judges going to gain from that? Nothing. You need to show them something different about that balloon-you could always turn the floating part into a metaphor about a person wanting to become untethered and free, etc. Not extremely creative, but at least it has a deeper meaning.
It’s also very important to write with conviction. Be self-confident, and use of figurative language is also really helpful, as long as you don’t overuse it. If you can find a balance between strong subject matter and figurative language, your poem is already going to be better.
Most of all, a “good” poem is written not from the brain, but from the heart. If you write a poem that feels like it was written by someone else entirely, it’s probably not your best work. If you write a poem that feels like it was written by you, then that’s great.
Also, first and last lines are essential. You need to make sure they pack a punch, and it’s best if they connect to one another, so you could set up a problem or question in the first line and answer it in the last line. The first line sets the tone. The last line is perhaps the most important of the whole piece-it needs to feel final, like a brick wall or a punch to the chest.
Write with self-confidence and write with an open mind, and chances are you’re already on your way to writing a “good” poem.
Best of luck!