Rhythm Lost - Just That Archaic Poet's Blog

Rhyme. RHYME! I'm a rhymer; an old rhymer. It's what I do; it's my forte...and, my preference. Why? Because of the rhythm, that's why. I understand the freedom that "free-verse" and its ilk provide, but...more oft than not, I feel no rhythm in those forms; the drumbeat that stirs, thrills and excites my Soul is absent. Does not most art revolve around rhythm? Imagine music sans rhythm, or dance for that matter. Even drawing and painting has a certain rhythm (not always, but usually; same with dance).

I just don't understand this modern fascination, almost fanaticism concerning non-rhyming poetry. It seems to be the most preferred style, and I cannot fathom or comprehend why. Again, I understand the lure of freedom; I've written free-verse pieces, albeit very, very few.

Rhyme, if executed correctly, is clearly superior. Words should roll effortlessly off the tongue and the rhythm should flow like a stream upon which my emotions float, being carried with sound and beat. Free-verse rarely accomplishes this feat.

Do modern poets flock to this form because of the freedom, or because it is much easier to master? Perhaps my opinion is unpopular, but I fervently believe anyone can write free-verse and slap the label of "poetry" upon it.

A true poet is a master of words and commands the form of rhyme much the same way as a conductor to an orchestra. Free-verse, haiku, etc. DO have their merits, but they do not excite or entice me. Rhythm, rhyme and reason all go hand in hand. I just wish more people would appreciate rhyme and write more of it. Enough of the other; bring back the classic form. I know; I know: I am hopelessly Archaic...

Just That Archaic Poet Date: 10/25/2013 7:55:00 AM Wow. I had no idea anyone had read this blog entry let alone commented on it. I am biased; I admit it. I agree with most of you: write however it comes out, despite the form it takes. I just feel like rhyme is a dying art form. I blame the beatnik poets for ruining poetry and lowering the bar, but that's just a personal opinion. I admit, I have read some fantastic free-verse pieces on this site, and I also agree with Andrea: there is good and bad rhyme and non-rhyme. I just do not appreciate the non-rhyming styles; they very rarely move me or stir my Soul. When I write my rhymes, they almost never feel forced, but that may be because it comes naturally to me. Hope I didn't offend anyone :) Login to Reply

Charmaine Chircop Date: 10/25/2013 12:57:00 AM Sometimes I'm in a mood to rhyme..Other times I' m in a mood for free verse.I think what is most important is to write what comes natirally to you.For me its not important which is the most difficult or easy to imply but which comes naturally for me to write. Re rhyme being degraded..Its true sometimes it is.Few yrs ago I found a card company who where in search for greetings.One of the rules was to avoid rhyme and I saw that in a magazine publishing as well ..so i get your point.I just say to you..Stick to what you believe is best for you : )..Charma Login to Reply

Jancarl Campi Date: 10/24/2013 8:34:00 PM If you are able to write poems that rhyme, then go for it. I have tried it and it sounds forced. So none of my poems rhyme. Login to Reply

James Marshall Goff Date: 10/24/2013 1:45:00 PM JTAP....if rhyme best speaks your art....good 0n yer, mate... I dig a good couplet meself! and haiku....and tanka...and lanterne, yea, especially lanterne....sometimes sonnets make me snore....dig the "outlaws" from the '60's.....and... schneikies! ...Deb's "Celtic" Storie's in poetry are "spine-tinglin! .... yimbo Login to Reply

Carrie Richards Date: 10/24/2013 10:04:00 AM I am with Charlotte on this one......free verse for me, expresses more intensity, can bring me to tears, if done well.... It is (for me) a better way to express deep emotion without forcing my words,.....however I also agree with Andrea, when she said it must focus on the sounds of the words..... I will try to include some rhyme, alliteration, etc. without it being a rhymed poem. But both forms I do appreciate, when they are done well. Both forms can be a work of art......or poorly done.....but no...I disagree that free verse is the easy way out. I almost think it can be more difficult to do it well. Login to Reply

Carol Eastman Date: 10/24/2013 8:43:00 AM I love rhyme poetry. I love HaHa poetry and the rhyming just adds more emphasis to the fun... But some times the story poems get carried away and the story becomes more important to me than the rhyme... On occassion if I go back to make it rhyme... Then I over work it... and it loses some of it's fun... But to me... Romantic poems should always rhyme and I dearly love sonnets there... Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 10/23/2013 7:50:00 PM Just a thought from someone who writes both, free verse is like jazz, it has plenty of rhythm, all kinds of rhythm, try thinking of it like that :) Login to Reply

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 10/23/2013 6:21:00 PM writing free verse is not taking the easy option, believe me - it can take me days, weeks or even months of hard work to complete a single poem...I often find what I call 'sing-song' end rhyme serves as a distraction from the emotional content of a poem, but, having said that, I have read some stunning rhyming poems, and I can appreciate those...but all in all, free verse excites me and gives me a sense of endless possibility, in a way that rhyme seldom does...but always my message is: write what you would personally like to read and what comes naturally to you... Login to Reply

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 10/23/2013 6:17:00 PM ok, as a natural free verser let me attempt to address some of this...in fact, andrea has put it very well below...firstly, let me say I am a great believer in writing what comes most naturally to you, whether it is free verse or rhyme, because that will invariably be your best work...secondly, I am a great believer that all art forms must continually evolve and move with the times, and free verse is often able to capture modern life in a way that rhyme sometimes can't...there are many poetic devices that are used within free verse and these are what transform it from prose into poetry: alliteration, metaphor, simile, imagery, and, yes, RHYME - subtle, internal and half rhyme - Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 10/23/2013 3:55:00 PM I see many things categorized as free verse which are not really free verse! A story is not free verse. it's narrative. A poem with really long lines is often prose poetry,not free verse. A good free verse focuses not just on the message, but also on the sounds of the words (assonance, alliteration) & on line breaks. Symbolism sometimes really helps too, and always imagery is a huge plus. SOme free verse is very obscure or "over the top" for me. I don't enjoy this kind. I love it LUCID, but at the same time, cleverly done, with attention to everything I just mentioned. If free verse fits this description, I am able to love it just as much as a sonnet! all poetry should "Show" & not "tell"!!! Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 10/23/2013 3:46:00 PM This is coming from someone who does not write free verse a lot and yet I love to read GOOD free verse. So I think I am fairly unbiased as a sonneteer when I discuss this topic. first of all, to compare a form poem with free verse is like comparing apples and oranges. Some people will always like one more than the other and some love BOTH fruits! There is bad rhyme & bad free verse. There is great rhyme and great free verse. A bad rhyming poem is one that sounds trite and forced. Rhymers should use things like enjambment and figurative language, and always use the very best WAY to express EACH line of their poetry. Good meter for me usually helps too. ON to another box!! Login to Reply