How important is the first line in your poem?

Extremely important, it has to draw the reader in. It also sets the voice and tone for the work. I usually can't get anywhere in the poem till I feel that the first line is nailed down. That said it's more than the first line because with line breaks that can be a little too limiting--it's more the first coherent thought.

I was struggling with a poem about Howard Hughes. I kept hitting from different angles until finally the first line popped into my head:

They never noticed the details

Which brought me to the title: Howard and the Details

And gave me this opening sequence:

They never noticed

the details.

Jane Russell had

four nipples.

Peas were

different sizes.

Peaches were

dirty, dirty, dirty.

Without that opening line I wouldn't have focused properly on what needed to be said...so again it's very important.

That is kind of like

How important is the entrance of anything.. how bout the first line your guy ever gave you..

It all depends on your mindset.

I usually take in a verse at least before I shut the whole poem away if I have not been hooked,

(however, sometimes I read just to see if there really is a point ....)

It's the most important

If it sucks - who wants to read the rest of the poem.

But I always like a good middle line too - so people will finish it.

all depends because if the reader starts of reading it the start of the poems un intresting they probz wont carryon reading it! so if you make the first line cath the readers attention then theyl read it :D

Clem Starck says the opening is like a door into a house, if you don't trust the structure at the door don't go in.

not that important I would have thought..but maybe it is..like the first word of a song you sing..I will hang around and see what people say

The first line should encapture the reader to read on.....

very... unless the point is made it the middle... but the first line draws in the reader

mine?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au8Ik...

lonely and needy, the question craved attention

very... it sets the mood and tells u what to expect