What's the Difference Between Poetry and Prose?  

Interesting. Would it still be considered poetry, just a different style? Thanks, Allie, that clears it up a little.

Allie: Nooot exactly.

Poetry, even non-rhyming poetry, differs from prose in that it has an inner rhythm. Prose is not bound by this constriction, whether long or short. Both poetry AND prose may be any length. Think of "Ulysses," or "Snowbound." Book-length poems! No, the secret to calling something a poem is there must be a rhythm to it (albeit perhaps a subtle one), as well as having the words be subject to that rhythm.

Compare this line of poetry to its prosaic counterpart which immediately follows:

"Do not go gentle into that good night;
Rage! Rage against the dying of the light!"

"Don't just lie down & die--get mad! Fight to live!"

Does that help?

Maggiepie
"SAY 'MERRY CHRISTMAS!'"

Pretty much says it all.

I'm beginning to understand. I like what you said last; Poetry is literature in verse. Nice!

Yeah, you're like me. But I'm beginning to find it all very interesting and find it a need to research styles of writing etc.

I'm having a problem with rhythm and cadence. Doesn't seem to come natural to me. I would love to read some of your poetry, my friend.

poetry does not have to rhyme there are many styles of poetry like haikus for example they don't rhyme at all they are based on syllable count

I don't even consider haikus poetry.

OREO: Haikus are a legitimate poem form, as are limericks, quatrains, sonnets & higgledy-piggledy rhymes--only limericks & H-P rhymes generally are humorous, thus not taken seriously by some...

The Haiku is quite challenging, too! The Japanese invented the form, & the idea behind it is that 17 syllables, with the set pattern of 5-7-5, are considered to be exactly right to utter in one breath. Also inherent in the concept of a haiku is the use of minimal words to convey entire thoughts & feelings much more complex than the words would otherwise mean. Perhaps your enjoyment of this form would be increased by more knowledge & understanding of its reasons for use?

I confess I don't understand why you think it's not poetry. Is it because you're only used to Western rhyme forms, or even stuck on one in particular, such as the very common "iambic pentameter?" (That's the one with the abababab format; e.g.: "The BOY stood ON the BURNing DECK)

Can you defend your position in a friendly debate?

(Oh, one last word: just because something doesn't rhyme does not mean it's not poetry. Have you checked your dictionary for the proper definition?)

Maggiepie
"SAY 'MERRY CHRISTMAS!'"

Hi Maggiepie! I live in the United States and it's not a western custom that only rhymes are poems! Check out my answer above. LOL any verse or sentiment is considered poetry. Even though poetry may tell a story it is not considered prose unless you are writing for some writing sites that seem to put the two into the same category.

Now this is interesting. I never would have thought writing in newspapers were considered prose. I'm learning. Thanks.

Think of the word "prosaic". It is from the same root. It means ordinary.

Thank you, GardenGerty--I was reaching for my keyboard to type that very thing when I saw you'd just done it!

Obviously, judging from this thread, schools are doing a sorry job of teaching literature! Sigh..what a shame to leech all the poetry from our lives in such a flat-footed manner!

I never expected to become another sighing Geezer, missing the "good old days" when folks knew prose was always unrhymed, pretty-much rhythm-less writing, while poetry (which may or may not rhyme!) strove for higher things, playing with the language as prose cannot, by definition, do!

So, for those who don't know, prose IS what you read in the newspaper, but it's equally what you read in textbooks & the finest fiction available! No, it doesn't rhyme, but lack of rhyming does not automatically equate with prose!

Maggiepie
"SAY 'MERRY CHRISTMAS!'"

All so well said. Our schools are in a sad state by the way. My son used to write poetry and then he went to public school. Now he has a strong dislike for any kind of reading and writing. He does however still writes lyrics. I think I will gather all his poems and try to encourage him to write again. I am "studying" all forms of poetry and this discussion has been a sweet education for me.

Yes, thanks gitfiddlle. It seems you are correct. Gtargirl has been educated.

The ordinary written word . . . that's kind of poetic.

Nice! You're so poetic GardenGerty.

So prose then, could be as beautiful as poetry because a fictional novel would be considered prose, right? Thanks DC.