Poetry: Rhyme vs Prose
By singout
@singout (980)
United States
July 1, 2008 9:35am CST
I recently saw this discussion started recently by PinchMe but I thought I would give it another try.
What type of poetry do you read? If you write poetry, what type do you like to write? I like to read and write rhyme, although both types offer real challenges. The flowery language of prose is very challenging in that it's hard to make sense of it sometimes unless you are a real master of the english language. It tends to be overly introspective and delves into the mysterious chambers of the author's mind. I admire anyone who can do it and, at the same time, communicate in such a way that all who read it can feel what the author feels. Rhyme, however, is also very challenging because sometimes it's necessary to rewrite the verses in order to make the rhyming words fit. And sometimes there is a limit to how many actual rhyming words there are. I tend to strive for rhythmic and meter perfection too, in that every line must be consistent in it's number of syllables. For instance, if I start the poem with 11 syllables on the first line and 12 on the next, that pattern will be consistent throughout the rest of the poem. I know that is extreme, but therein lies the challenge.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@RhythmWalker1 (825)
• United States
14 Jul 08
Singout,
From reading your post you understand the etiquette of poetry!
That's great! I rarely write prose, but dabble at it when my mood
for venting sits in. I try for rhythm too / hence- my name!
1 person likes this
@singout (980)
• United States
14 Jul 08
Thanks for your response RhythmWalker1. I would love to read some of your rhythmic poetry. I like to read prose when it's done well. I admire anyone with such a command of the english language that they can dress a common sentence in something extraordinary and make it interesting. I just don't have that gift. However, if it gets too deep, I tend to drown in it and lose interest quickly. Prose, to me, is more introspective, while rhymes, on the other hand, tend to speak outwardly. Of course that is not always the case.
Rhythmic rhymes, if done well, are fascinating to me simply because of their structure and how words that rhyme can be formed into something meaningful.
@RhythmWalker1 (825)
• United States
2 Sep 08
Most of my poetry is at http://groups.msn.com/thefinestpoets
Same name, RhythmWalker1
I'm working on a book of poetry and hope to get it published.
@meggan79 (436)
• United States
13 Jul 08
I started writing poetry in 6th grade and it all had to be rhyming in one way or another. Now that I am older I like to research different types of poetry and give it a try at least once to see if I can do it. I like reading just about any poem, if it is to long it has to be really good to keep my attention.
@singout (980)
• United States
14 Jul 08
I tend to get too structured in my poetry. Once I set up a pattern of rhyme, rhythm and even the number of syllables at the beginning of my poems, I want to stick with that pattern throughout. I'll do anything to make my poetry easy reading. If I have to guess my rhythm for any one line, I'll change it until it is obvious. If you're interested, go to my profile and you will find a link to my poetry blog (Cyrano's Place)then you will see what I'm talkin about. There you will find several drop down lists that you can explore.
If you like a challenge: When you write your first verse (let's say it's 4 lines long), try duplicating it throughout the rest of your poem, such as (maybe) the first line has 10 syllables, the second line has maybe 12, then back to 10 on the 3rd line then back to 12 on the last line. Set up your rhyme scheme any way you want but be sure to duplicate it thoughout the rest of your poem. That way people don't have to guess your rhythm when they read. I makes for easier and smoother reading but much more challenging to the writer.
@meggan79 (436)
• United States
14 Jul 08
I will have to give that a try. I will definately check out your poems, but will have to do it tomorrow. To hard to concentrate on reading works of art with stomping going on....(wish I had something that would reach the ceiling so I could beat on it).
1 person likes this
@paid2write (5201)
•
1 Jul 08
Poetry does not need to rhyme but as you say it does need to scan properly. I have written a number of poems and a few have been published in magazines and anthologies. I think it's more difficult to write a good poem than it is to write good prose, which often only requires good vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
I prefer writing prose and I now have around fifty published articles. I still find it a challenge to write them and I feel I am still learning some of the skills needed to write for different sites, which often have their own specific requirements.
@singout (980)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Thanks for your response paid2write and congratulations on your success. I wish I could be only half as successful. Right now my works are only published on my private blog for my friends and family. I hope to be able to read some of your rhymes as well as your prose. Thanks again for your response.
@thegyfted1 (55)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Actually most of the poetry that I write rhymes. It's not on purpose, it's just the way it comes out. I want to challenge myself one day at writing a non-rhyming piece.
@nikinicole (169)
• United States
1 Jul 08
I write poetry and I write both rhyme and prose. I guess it really all depends on how I am feeling when I start writing. Sometimes, I just get tired of the rhyming. So, many do it and not many realize there is any other way to write poetry.
@singout (980)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Thanks for your response nikinicole. I've noticed that prose does lend itself well to expressing moods and feelings. You sort of let your feelings just spill out on the page in prose. In rhyme you have to plan what you are going to say and how you want to say it.
@nikinicole (169)
• United States
1 Jul 08
YES...EXACTLY!. I think that's one reason why I enjoy it so much. It really is a great way to "let it all out". Unfortunately, some people feel that if it doesn't rhyme, it isn't poetry. But, I feel they are missing out on some really beautiful poems.
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@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
26 Jan 16
Blank verse comes more naturally to me rhymed poetry. Sometimes it's good, and sometimes it isn't. I've shared a few of my attempts on HubPages.
