Misconceptions of Structured Poetry

includes a few words on free verse too

Disclaimer: This is not meant to insult free verse poets in any way. Please read to the very end.  

 

In my time here on the cafe, I've come across many poets who prefer free verse over structured poetry. Of course, there's nothing wrong with this, but I find that such a preference is often accompanied by a few misconceptions regarding structured poetry. Thought I'd address a few:   

 

1. It Takes Away a Poet's Uniqueness  

No, it doesn't. Structured verse actually allows more uniqueness by providing a variety of options for a writer to choose from. One who has mastered a structured form can easily add his or her own unique touch. Compare the elegant words of "Woodsprite" by Richard Jenkins* to the more neurotic ones of "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath―both are villanelles, but both retain a uniqueness in style and expression completely distinct from one another.   

  

2. It Causes Poets to Force Their Words To the Form  

Like any craft, skill in poetry requires practice, dedication, time, and effort. Mastery of a structured form may cause one to force their words at first, but this shouldn't keep one from composing in it. Would it make sense to quit basketball after performing poorly at the first practice? Would it make sense to quit writing if your first effort produced a not-so-desirable result? Of course not. Even writing free verse for the first time can be difficult. Structured poetry, like any craft, has difficulties that one must overcome, but that doesn't make it an unworthy pursuit.   

  

3. It's Old―Most Poets Use Free Verse  

This one's somewhat true. The majority of poems composed nowadays are written in free verse. That, however, doesn't make it unimportant. Most (or perhaps all) accomplished poets of the modern age use the conventions of rhythm and meter in free verse. Walt Whitman, sometimes called the "father of free verse,"* was perfectly competent in structured forms (read "O Captain My Captain"). I doubt his free verse would have been so rhythmical if he weren't. Billy Collins, another well-known poet who typically writes in free verse, once advised poets to study the origins of poetry, claiming that it causes one to "internalize the rhythms of English verse."* Sylvia Plath also composed in structured forms. Along with the villanelle mentioned earlier, she wrote two loose interpretations of the terza rima: "Sow" and "The Pheasant."* 

  

4. Why Worry About Structure―It's the Message that Matters.  

The message does matter, but the way you convey that message is equally (if not more) important. When used properly, structured forms can enhance a poem's message. For example, in Paul Laurence Dunbar's "We Wear the Mask," the repetition (characteristic of the rondeau form) emphasizes the poem's theme of hidden emotion. Dorothy Parker's "Resume" owes much of its ironically lighthearted tone to its bouncy rhythm and rhyme. Forms such as the villanelle and kyrielle are great for emphasizing particular expressions, while forms such as the limerick and senryu are great for lighthearted verse. In short, there's a form to fit virtually any mood, tone, impact, ect. a poet is going for.

  

5. Structured Poetry Isn't Natural  

Poetry itself, whether it be free verse or structured verse, isn't natural. It isn't natural to speak in metaphor or imagery, but that doesn't make a poem any less beautiful. The beauty of any art is in how it makes unnatural modes of expression seem second nature. To master a craft is to take the craft and make it natural. Being that it's like this in every art-form, it puzzles me why anyone would use this argument against structured poetry.  

 

Author's Comment: If you choose to write in free verse because it's your preferred style, that's perfectly fine, but don't let any of the above reasons keep you from writing structured poetry, especially if you enjoy reading it. The same goes for poets who only use structured verse ... writing unstructured poetry has its benefits. Give it a try.  

 

For those who think that free verse is merely random, unorganized thoughts: It's not. Writing free verse is like playing the piano―it's easy to do, but difficult to master. Free verse offers a totally different set of challenges than structured verse: one must work to find their own form and their own rhythm and make it work to express a thought. Just as anyone can jot a few rhyming words on the page and call it a structured poem, anyone can write a few disjointed lines and call it free verse. It takes true skill to write something that gives the reader an emotional experience, no matter what style of poetry you use. 

 

* "Woodsprite" by Richard Jenkins: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1584637/ 

 

* Personally, I consider Walt Whitman one of the most musical free verse poets I've ever read … the man had a great ear for rhythm. 

 

* A link to the Billy Collins' interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP9reBY7EwM

* I say "loose" interpretation because Plath uses many consonant and slant rhymes throughout.

Author's Note

Something I thought I'd share ... all opinions are welcomed in the review section.
Constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged.
Feel free to point out typos ... I'm sure there are some I missed.
Any more misconceptions you can think of? Tell me about them. I may add to this.

Reviews

[Bala Gorthi]

Your write is enlightening and I agree with every word of what you have written. As far as the soul of of the work is concerned that comes out better and beautifully in structured poetry for me. I agree with your fifth point even more.
But, for me every art work is a creation in itself with some emotion or beauty or thought. So being pro or against doesn't sound sound to me. As beings, we all are unique so I respect people's preferences equally.
I appreciate your effort for removing certain misconceptions that some have against structured work. So thank you for writing and sharing this write.
P.S. I myself love reading and writing different forms and for me, all are equally challenging and enjoyable including the free verse.

[William Liston]

It was a pleasure, Bala.
Thank you for reviewing and sharing your thoughts.

I don't believe that the soul of a work comes out better in structured poetry though ... that depends a lot on the writer and the reader. For me, it does, but for many poets, it doesn't.

Thank you for sharing you post script too. I also find free verse quite challenging.

[Bala Gorthi]

You are welcome William.
You are right.I just realise that yes, you are right. It depends on the forte of the writer and preference of the reader. Thank you for making me realise. So I have edited the word only in my review.

[Relic]

I think you did a great job on this, although not many people here seem to be interested from what I can and have seen now or in the past which is unfortunate.

[William Liston]

Thank you for your kind words.
And I agree ... it is unfortunate. Although I understand why many may not venture into structured poetry, I don't like how it sometimes translates to a dislike of structured verse as a whole.
I think part of the problem is the perceived complexity. Many envision structured poets like mathematicians, plugging words into forms and relentlessly counting syllables. Most of the time (at least in my experience), that's not the case. Most poets who write structured verse just go off the natural cadence of the words and use that to determine the syllable count with ease. It's not as "constructed" as many people think it is ... perhaps I should add this point to the list.

Thanks again for reviewing.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, William, my great poet friend and sometimes student! : )
What an excellent homily on the understanding and positive outlook on structured poetry, attitude toward poetry's endless array of forms, and poetry as a whole.
I wish everyone would read this, that we might all open our eyes and have a broader, better, and deeper acceptance of our wondrously amazing art. I hope many more will join the meaningful comments already shared by our honored sister and fellow poetesses and poets.
Thank you, too, William, for the honorable mention of my name and reference to one of my all-time fun Villanelles.
Here is 2¢ worth of my basic take on poetry forms and poetry in general:

"POETRY AND A POET … To Me!"

It is my contention that: To be a truly accomplished poetic artist, one should be able to express and deliver the essences of their poetic virtues in any form best befitting them. Just as there is no single chord or note in music that most clearly and appropriately speaks with the ultimately powerful and appropriate voice the various emotions and moments needed to breathe life into a song, there is no single form of poetry that suffices in doing it all.

Most do not realize there is no form of poetry free from the stipulations and rules that make it poetry … otherwise, it is merely something else entirely, constructed by the use of syntax, grammar, and presentation … good, bad, or otherwise.

Trick is, to become talented enough to paint word pictures, feelings, and emotions in any poetic form or style in such a way that one's skills allow them to create wondrous images that make it feel so natural it’s unnecessary to even know it’s written in a form, yet retains the correct poetic rhythm, rhyme, and/or free flow, etc; that brings poetry so enjoyably to life within the reader’s mind, heart, and soul.

Bless poets, one and all … for, we are, indeed, a special breed! ⁓ Richard : )

[William Liston]

Who better than WC's king of structered verse to comment on this ... glad you stopped by. To share my personal experience:

At the age of 14 when I first learned to write in metrical verse, I had one style I'd stick to: iambic tetrameter with an aabb or abab rhyme scheme. I believed that whatever emotion or thought I wanted to express could somehow fit itself into that form, so that was all I wrote. This quickly turned into a problem. I'd often have thoughts and feelings that I couldn't, for the life of me, put in that form and make sound natural. This problem resolved itself as I became more skilled and learned more forms to express myself in.

That being said, I agree with your words: Though some forms are more versatile than others, no form can do everything. I'm learning that more and more as I continue my poetic endeavors.

Thank you for your review, Richard. It was a pleasure to read.

[Richard🖌]

Any doubter to the enthrallingly powerful and endlessly-magical creativity and flexibility in structured poetry, need but read the works of the Lady Linda Marie Van Tassell, and that notion will immediately be quelled, William, and you're well on your way, My Astute Friend⁓*

[William Liston]

She sure does have a magical way with words.

When I first visited WC, I was surprised that there weren't many who composed in structured verse. Eventually, I ran into others. To name those who still post reguarly: You, Ms. Jewel, Mattavelli, Shabeeh Haider, Linda Marie, Misty Franchello, Relic ... pretty sure I left some out, but those are the ones I read most often.

[William Liston]

I forgot someone: emipoemi ... not sure how I left him out.

[emipoemi]

.....and how could you have forgotten me!!!!!
.....must still be too new to the community to merit a cemented place in the memory, eh? (hahahaha)

[Richard🖌]

You've mentioned some amazing writers, William, and there are several more onsite who compose in structured and unstructured mastery whom I admire and enjoy, but on every level, there are poets whose pens spill their heart, minds, and emotions, according to whatever lives and breathes within them so fervently yearning to dance upon the page.
KUDOS to poetic word-crafters … it takes us one and all! ✨

[Raven Moonchild]

Honestly, once I learned about poetry, I decided to write in my own way. I've seen the different ways of presenting poetry and I've done a few. Sonnet, acrostic, and using a short story for the poem. (Night of a Crimson winter, Samhain) One of the many things my mother has taught me is to write however I feel led to. I will say that there are a lot of people who think that a poem isn't a poem at all unless it is written exactly like the professionals poems. I tried that and it just didn't feel right, it didn't look or read like poetry that I knew I was capable of. I do love the main points you've explained, William. That while structured poetry helps to explain the poet's meaning thoroughly, it's okay for one to write as they please. :)

[William Liston]

Thank you for your review, Raven.
Glad you could find this helpful.

[emipoemi]

To write as one pleases indeed is what writing is all about, but form comes in many forms (....the pun was unintentional.....), and with each form comes certain advantages for the poets themselves to play with in order to get their messages across. What I believe William is trying to do here is turn the modernists over to rhyme as a mode of education not discouragement. For, at least in my experience over the years, I've read many poets who write as though they don't have a clue what they're doing; as though they have no knowledge of the past and their forms (and how form provided endless possibilities); as though they don't know why the greats are so great at what they do. Writing as one pleases is key, but in so doing so we must take care to adhere to the general conventions of the forms we're using. For writing is free in many aspects, but like life itself, we must be careful how we tread or else the results might not be as favourable as we hoped.

[Raven Moonchild]

Wise words, my friend. :)

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Well, this is certainly an illuminating read. The time I started writing, I didn't have a clue to the basic concepts of poetry and I was a complete novice, whether in terms of free verse or the structured one. But trying out different things is what's interesting for me. I'd say one should keep practicing and writing in different style 'cause the more you learn the more you grow :)

I've heard all these misconceptions too, and I think in terms of what you say that one has to force words in structured poetry, I partially agree. When I started first with structured one, actually Kyrielle, I found it difficult too but I'd say it was merely from lack of experience/exposure and it did get get better with time...

Thank you for sharing this write, William, and the links.

[William Liston]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Yumna.

I *think the kyrielle was my first traditional form too. I had written metrical verse before that, but I don't think it fit a particular named form like the kyrielle, villanelle, sonnet, etc.

At the age of 14, when I first learned to write with rhythm and meter, I felt invincible, as though my skills had reached an unsurpassable peak ... boy was I wrong!

Thanks again for your insightful review. It was a pleasure to read.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Well, to say the least, I would say you are beyond your age in terms of writing poetry, William. And in regards with wisdom too. I don't think I took poetry more than a joke when I was 14 or even 16 :p
It was Richard here really who made me realise I could write in specific forms too...
You're welcome. Always a pleasure reading your works.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I actually started writing when I was fifteen and actually began by writing songs. This eventually evolved into poetry. Since I love the structured and metered verses, when I write it's like I'm composing a song. There's a melody and a flow, and the form is as important as the content. For me, it's double the challenge, like putting puzzle pieces together. I've written free verse sparingly, in more of a conversational way with myself, like therapy if you will. For me, it is like psychology, when I'm trying to sort out my thoughts or akin to having a direct conversation with someone. It's rare for me to think in free verse; but when I have, I have been very pleased with the outcome. Most often, it's automatic for me to think in a metered and rhymed way. Two great lines can automatically come to me, from which I will begin writing. As if often happens though, what I wind up with is completely different from what I started with; and if the flow isn't precise, I'll rewrite. Each line is like a song; and as I write, I go back and read each line from the beginning. If the musicality isn't the same, I have to fix it.

I love when I read Bryon, Shelley, Keats, Lawrence, Browning, Swinburne, Baudelaire. They are truly like music to my ears, my heart, my soul.

[William Liston]

Thank you for sharing that.
I started writing at the age of 13. I always rhymed, but I discovered meter at the age of 14 and didn't understand it at first. Then, after a few months of trying to grasp the concept, it suddenly came to me one day while I was tapping my finger to Byron's "She Walks In Beauty." From there, I tried to make all my poems somewhat metered (I'd change the rhythm sometimes). I started writing free verse at the age of 15. Like you, I find it natural to think it meter and rhyme.

Thank you for reviewing.

[Quinn W]

I personally enjoy writing free verse poetry myself, but enjoy reading structured poetry more. I have tried multiple times to write in a structured way and have only succeeded once (in the eighth grade). I admire anyone who who can write structured poetry, as I have the most difficulty with it.
I've never had any of these misconceptions myself but have heard many of them. Especially, the 'It's the message that matter' and 'it's old-fashioned' ones. I tend to lean more told old-fashioned styles anyway and I believe that by using structure in your poem, you're putting in more effort and therefore emphasizing the message by your devotion to the piece. You have inspired me to write more structured poems in the future.

[William Liston]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Quinn.
As is reflected in my poetry, I also prefer structured verse, and I'm glad I could inspire you to write more in the future.

[Najam Us Saher]

Firstly I thank you for writing this as it was so enlightening to read. My poetry consists of free verse structure and sometimes I felt I simply write my emotions out and maybe it isn't worth mentioning as a quality poetry but when I read the last few paragraphs I was encouraged. Thank you so much for sharing this piece of work... :)

[William Liston]

Thank you so much. I'm glad I could offer some encouragement.

[Najam Us Saher]

You are welcome. :)

[emipoemi]

I SIMPLY COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!!! This is spot on! I would recommend reading the book/essay entitled "On Poetry" by Glyn Maxwell, which talks heavily about how to go about writing good poetry. For the note about going back to the classics is exactly the way to go! Without knowledge of the classics, we're essentially writing prose (in Free Verse), and without knowledge of the classics, our [structured poems] risk falling flat. This is a wondrous essay that I endorse wholeheartedly (for it is more and essay than a story....I wonder why they don't have an option for essays....). Well done!

[William Liston]

Thank you for your kind words. I'll check out that book/essay you mentioned ... never heard of it before.
And yes, I agree: this site should have an option for essays.
Thanks again for reviewing.