to rhyme or not to rhyme

a discussion of poetical form

There is a rigid school of thought

That says what poetry is not,

 

Without that metered rhyme

A poet can't keep time

 

Some say not true

No form will do --

 

Though both of them should learn to bend,

We each can to the other lend.

(8,6,4,8 -- aa, bb,cc,dd)

 

Good poetry

must into the soul

of reader reach,

and pluck it

from the vine,

Like a peach --

Did I falter

In my metre ?

did that somehow

take away

From the meaning

of what I have say?

or was it

not so sublime,

because I use a hint

of rhyme?

 

Poetry pulls you in

To something the speaker

Wants you to see ...

And standing on the precipice,

You aren't wondering

About the composition

Of the rock,

But if he's going to

Jump.

 

Poem.
From mind to pen
unlock the door.

Open.

 

Author's Note

There are several schools of poetical thought. It does not have to be confusing or shocking to be good, but good poetry can be just that -- opaque and mysterious, or subtle, or rhyming, or funny and charming -- and the journey is as important as the end ...

Since I have been here I have experimented with different forms, and honed my own unique style that I have always had -- writing poetry in groups that string together. Where I once pulled them apart, I now keep them together. I have been chastised for "not capitalizing the first of every line, having no metre, or timing, and asked to review by people who thought my poetry was "crap". There is no one right way to write a poem -- but there is style, and making sense, and caring about how you present your work.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

I want to open that door to read your poetry...rhyming or not....all the time, KL. Always an enjoyable read. It is truly amazing the way people criticize poetry....some say it simply MUST rhyme or it is not poetry. Some say punctuation is a must...or capital letters. I say the meaning is what counts and yours always comes through. Loved this. Lydi**

[Lyn Anderson]

I concur. Rhyme or no, your poetry always comes from the heart. I love many things on this site, but unfounded criticism that is based on personal bias is best left in one's head.

[Lydia Shutter]

EXACTLY!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

me too, on the capitalization of first words of lines...slammed for that, slammed for punctuation, or lack of it.
in poetry length of line is just as important as periods or commas or such.

to me, poetry's definition is that " it isn't prose"
that leaves much room for style...

and i am sure there are many who think what i write doesn't conform to rules and is crap.

and i like how you put short pieces together that relate as parts of a whole...it works the way you do it.

so keep doing it...

j.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, I know this camp. They actually say if there are no capitals and commas it is not poetry. The poets who are here each of them have a unique style, if they are actually sincere about poetry, and not here to cause trouble. I lean toward a mix of free verse and find my own rhythm. I find certain forms a challenge to convey emotion within their structure. Others work well for me, and I will stretch myself occasionally to use them.

[Jon Roggie]

You speak of style,
I guess I have been in denial.

The words are for my sake,
and I never know what you will take.

Anyway, time to get away from the rhyme,
it takes too much time.

Seriously,
I just try to tell a story,
and if it falls into a rhythm,
so be it.

Formal education was a few years back,
but it has continued.

Why shouldn't how we write be the same?

[Lyn Anderson]

I agree, and I love your poetry. The point is, both "camps" need to cross the lines and recognize each others' creativity. :)

[Jon Roggie]

Agreed. ...

[redzone]

intolerance in art as in society is harmful, boring and just plain stupid.. it's like that guy who says, "I don't know what art is I just know what I like and that ain't art"... I think it is a big problem when people see art as form or style and not content. Style and form are important, but it is what you are saying that makes the difference. All art in whatever genre or form is in essense the artist communicating ideas to the world.... whether, painting, music, writing, photography, etc., you are communicating. You are affecting how people think and see the world around them.... why do people think that their personal choice in how they communicate their ideas should be the RULE for everyone??? Rather as you are pointing to, enjoying the diversity of that communication???

just adding to and agreeing with your poem, and your notes KL... your poetry is far from "crap" what is crap is the views of that/those people/person who said this stupidity... intolerant, stupid people should have their pens and computer taken away from them... if it was just a sharing of ideas that would be one thing, but this is more an attempt at censorship than dialogue.

redzone

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you for the review. I think the frustrating part to me is the lines that are drawn in this place that is supposed to be an artistic sharing. Good is good, no matter the style -- and people who successfully convey emotion (Ms Jewel, or Fran, for example) with formats, and still write many lovely free-form pieces, cross the lines. Leslie Philibert is an excellent example of a poet whose poetry is moving even in the abstract.