POEMS????

First of all let me say this is not deriding anyone's idea of what a"POEM" is, But in my opinion a piece of writing called a "POEM" should rhyme. I think non rhyming "POEMS" should be called NARRATIVES.
Cambridge Dictionary definition of a POEM:-
"a piece of writing in which the words are arranged in separate lines, often ending in rhyme, and are chosen for their sound and for the images and ideas they suggest:"

Poems don't have to rhyme, and the ones which don't rhyme tend to be called "prose" but are still classed as poetry. I suppose the ones that DO rhyme are so-called, as in "nursery rhyme".

It is all about HOW you say a thing.

Most of us first come across the species in nursery rhymes, but rhyming is just a VERY basic and primitive way of creating a structure, there have been some excellent exponents of rhyming, but adults often welcome a much more nuanced approach to establishing structure.

One problem is people make rhyming the objective, rather than using it as a tool to achieve a level of elegance.

For example, poems consisting of Trochaic rhythms, almost NEVER rhyme. (eg 'Song of Hiawatha')

To achieve desired structure, bowt rhyming is a more difficult task.

Nevertheless, if you are offering your poem as a work of art, for public consumption, you can hardly complain should you put little effort into the work that you sculpt, if it results in your creation being called rubbish!

I personally find lamentable the writer who offers chopped-up prose, and calls it poetry.

I have to admit I did do one:


CHOPPED-UP PROSE

If you
Just say,
I am.

Most like,
You speak
In an
Iamb.

The man,
Who wrote,
And they
called
Poet
Did make
Of this
A thing!

Why Did
Poet
So sing?
Now here’s
Such a
Strange thing,
Turn it
Around
And it’s
Profound,
The sound:
‘Am I’
Still thus
Stronger.

Free verse is poetry.

Personally, I dislike regular rhyming patterns.

But just my choice.

Two poems by a local man I knew very well, what do you think of these too me it's local history in poem form for the future for all Goose Greener's.

--Click here==

--Another here==