Poetry Trends Through the Years

Is traditional poetry a thing of the past? Are writers of formal poetic styles being forced to change their ways completely? Is the trendy free verse replacing traditional forms? The lament of many poets today, heard throughout the publishing world, is: "Every time I submit a rhymed or metered poem, in most cases, it is rejected."

This situation is true with many journals and well known magazines. But there are still those who appreciate-and are asking for---traditional forms. There are also numerous contests where the chairpersons seek specific forms.

Let's take a look at the modern trend toward free verse and metered blank verse. Please note the term modern trend. Free verse is not new; it is as old as the Bible. What is more beautiful than the Psalms, Song of Solomon, and other books and passages, including some in the New Testament? Most of this poetry is written in free verse.

You can learn to love and write in this contemporary trend by reading, practicing, and discovering. First and foremost, become a friend of free verse. Don't fear it; don't be determined to dislike it.

Free Verse

Free verse, the current style, is defined as "un-metrical verse; lines that are not measured or counted for number of accents, number of syllables, or length of syllables; lines that are free of meter; also called vers libre."

To rhyme or not to rhyme free verse is left up to the writer. Contemporary poets tend to choose non-rhyming or an irregular rhyming pattern. But great verse does not have to rhyme. Non-rhyming poetry is far less restrictive than its rhymed counterpart. Forced rhymes are taboo according to modern rules, and many editors agree

A word of caution: Make sure that what you write is poetry, not prose. Free verse is not prose divided into shorter lines. Free verse is different from prose in other ways as well. It greatly appeals to the senses; employs some kind of pattern; and works as an art rather than logic or facts and definition.

Use poetic language, such as metaphor, alliteration, assonance, consonance or slant rhyme. The latter, in most cases, has vowel sounds that are alike. For example, "light and sign," "tote and lone." Poet Emily Dickinson, for instance, loved slant rhyme and often used both rhyming vowel and consonant sounds.

Consonance is also synonymous with slant rhyme that repeats consonants but changes vowels; i.e., "Book and rack," "lake and bike." Done correctly, writing free verse can be a satisfying creative experience.

Blank Verse

On the other hand, blank verse is strictly unrhymed but is always written in iambic pentameter. This form is also far from new, having been invented in sixteenth-century England.

Writing New Forms

When writing free verse, let the rhymes fall where they happen naturally. To break the monotony, try internal rhyme, rhyming a word or syllable in the middle of a line with an end word or with a word in the next line. There are many proven ways to make your poetry sing without it having a "sing-song" boring cadence.

An excellent way to learn more about traditional forms, as well as free verse, is to read contemporary poetry. One of my favorites is Divine Inspiration: The Life of Jesus in World Poetry, assembled and edited by Robert Atwan, George Dardess and Peggy Rosenthal (Oxford University Press). Much of the work in this large volume is free verse.

In reading poetry, you will find that free verse is written in a myriad of personal styles. Line lengths can vary and be formatted to your liking, from short lines of one syllable or several words to long lines that reach from left to right margins. Since it can be either rhymed or unrhymed and without meter, it is the poet's choice.

Try writing forms that you have not yet explored, including free and blank verse. Attempting new forms is always fun and challenging. Use all the poetic instruments available to make your poetry musical and memorable. Best of all enjoy writing your chosen poetic form and style.

Sources:

Personal Experience/knowledge