Poetry, Should It Rhyme?

Poetry, Should it Rhyme? By Elton Camp To deserve “poet” by my name, In all candor, I have to disclaim. Mine may not be the worst, But, in truth, it’s only verse. For poetry, Keats is the man you need. He’s the one I suggest that you read. Now as to the subject here at hand, Writing free verse I don’t understand. I heard “iambic pentameter” in college lit, But in my narrow thinking it never did fit. For Shakespeare and Frost it works fine. But that style can never come to be mine. My “poems” may be predictable and mundane, But like that, I fear, they will have to remain. What I write is usually just for fun. And only in old age has it begun. The “old dog” finds that tricks come hard. And he isn’t likely ever to become a bard. So to those whose poetry doesn’t rhyme, Know that I won’t criticize you any time.