Home » Poems » Carol Fillmore » To Rhyme Or Not To Rhyme

To Rhyme Or Not To Rhyme

Debates over rhyming centuries old A contentious issue so passions fueled Strong opinions expressed for and against Rhyming customs; protests they’re a must Flagrant disregard for the hallowed rules An abomination, for sure a crime, Cries for poetic justice! What sentence Befits breaking a literary commandment? Dangle offenders’ participles from on high? Must it rhyme? At times, it feels forced, mannered, Affected, and unnatural, fits ill Does not enhance the poem or add meaning. An appendage attached for custom. Liberate the poems from the fetters of rhyme. Rebel, invoke poetic license please! Trust the ears rather than conventions, Revolt and insist on innovation. Be a rebel with a cause – metamorphose – Invent new forms, eschew rhyming custom.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 2/10/2016 12:41:00 AM

AWESOME

Leo Larry Amadore

Date: 4/22/2015 9:52:00 AM

Although I most often write free verse and do not attempt to rhyme (except, perhaps, for internal rhymes), I value highly poetry that is rhymed (and natural sounding) -- of course, forced, unnatural, and wrong attempts at rhyming are to be avoided, but rhymes are certainly a significant aid in memorization and are (mostly) inherently pleasant to hear. You make some good points in your piece, but I hope not everyone will "eschew rhyming."

Carol Fillmore
Date: 4/22/2015 10:04:00 AM

I was channeling my inner rebel when I wrote this poem;)) I actually don't eschew all rhyming ...honest but sometimes it does feel forced. Thanks for your comments:)