Breaking Free

BREAKING FREE Do verses have to sound medieval From several centuries long past Quoting Shakespeare now and then Some lines used again and again The gulf from then to now is vast Yet modern language is not evil An image emerges with older style Whether knights or Kings, lovers too Stories become a well-rounded tale Always popular at Court without fail Yet it matters very little if it is true A retreat from reality just for a while There’s strict rhythm and meter Free verse without capitalisation Structure is all at least for some But words unspoken is just dumb It must always cause perturbation Avoiding bland is all the sweeter But after all, it’s about emotion What you feel from what is read At times, maybe hear it spoken At least layout constraint is broken Better perhaps to compose instead But writing verse demands devotion Date=17 Aug 2022, Contest=2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 12, Sponsor=Mark Toney