Rhyme, rhythm, and meter are hard. I love rhymed poetry, though--like you, I write both. My first poetry book editor was very hard on any breakdown in the form--rythym or meter. She accepted only perfect continuity in syllables and insisted I knew exactly what it was I wanted to say before I started. Good work!
I don't have much experience with villanelle, so this was a good intro. Since I first heard your poems as songs, the limits of rhyme and rhythm are familiar ... I like the free verse and "with the net up"
The definition of a long-time reader (and even better, a long-time friend). Thank you for taking time to read and comment, Nancy - in the midst of your move...!
They are old pains, but the poems make them easy to remember ... !
Good to know that the form of the poems helped to hold your attention. You are not alone in this, based on the other comments! I'll have to see if I can get into a "formal mood" more often.
I am learning so much about poetry - and you. Thank you for this gift. Mrs Wheeler would be happy that I am finally starting to "get it" these 50+ years later.
I think it's important to remember how poetry developed. All that rhyme and meter helped singers deliver lines in song and traveling minstrels could retell stories more easily if they had all that structure. I come from a family that can retell poems of 10-15 minute length.
It's a different world now unless you're trying to write a song. Now we can focus on finding the exact word and phrase to convey exactly what we are after and not have to rhyme it with "thistle".
Oh my! If this is what happens when the net is up I wish it would happen more often! Your voice definitely comes through, but the form contains and emphasizes it beautifully. I think that since you were trying to express such strong emotions having containers was the only way to go. I'm glad you knew how to use them.
Encouragement!!! Thanks, Rose, I'll have an ear out for more formal-verse opportunities. There's a sestina I finished a few weeks ago that I'll be sharing at some point -- that's a really different form, but it really lends itself to mood-colored storytelling.
I’m a simpleton when it comes to poetry but to me, the formality of the form adds stiffness to the feelings expressed….despite the wonderful turns of phrase and images.
Free-verse is more clearly the expression of your voice….
Thank you, Shari! You're right, it's harder for formal verse to sound conversational and unstilted ... just as it can be harder for free verse to stay concise and cadenced. Different challenges, different joys.
Thank you for such a thoughtful reading and comment, AP. I'm glad you can still "hear" me in these verses!
Yes, the sonnet was definitely a Container For What I Still Need to Contain, at the time it was written. A lot of wild messy journal writing and free verse came later, but the sonnet was a first step in a way: H'm, I seem to be holding a lot inside. Let me write about that, in a nice contained way....
All respect and admiration to Robert Frost, and he doesn't get to boss us around. I'm glad you're writing your own poems the way they want to be written.
Carolyn Wing Greenlee at Earthen Vessel Productions-- A great poet and writer as well!
Rhyme, rhythm, and meter are hard. I love rhymed poetry, though--like you, I write both. My first poetry book editor was very hard on any breakdown in the form--rythym or meter. She accepted only perfect continuity in syllables and insisted I knew exactly what it was I wanted to say before I started. Good work!
Thank you, James - glad to have you reading the poems. That editor sounds like a fierce and salutary mentor!
I don't have much experience with villanelle, so this was a good intro. Since I first heard your poems as songs, the limits of rhyme and rhythm are familiar ... I like the free verse and "with the net up"
The definition of a long-time reader (and even better, a long-time friend). Thank you for taking time to read and comment, Nancy - in the midst of your move...!
This sonnet and villanelle shared your pain so eloquently
Yes, these forms made it easier to capture my full attention.
They are old pains, but the poems make them easy to remember ... !
Good to know that the form of the poems helped to hold your attention. You are not alone in this, based on the other comments! I'll have to see if I can get into a "formal mood" more often.
Love you sister Looocinda!
Yep. She tried to teach me Shakespeare, too. Still working on that.
Have I got a poem for you...! Coming up in a couple of weeks.
I am learning so much about poetry - and you. Thank you for this gift. Mrs Wheeler would be happy that I am finally starting to "get it" these 50+ years later.
Was Mrs. Wheeler an English teacher? English teachers are the most patient seed-planters in the education field.
Delighted to have you sharing the poems with me, Sandra.
You can do it all but I like the poetry better.
Barb
Which poetry, though? The kind that rhymes, or the kind that just talks? (Both poetry!)
Rhymes
Gotcha! I'll see if I can find you some more.
I think it's important to remember how poetry developed. All that rhyme and meter helped singers deliver lines in song and traveling minstrels could retell stories more easily if they had all that structure. I come from a family that can retell poems of 10-15 minute length.
It's a different world now unless you're trying to write a song. Now we can focus on finding the exact word and phrase to convey exactly what we are after and not have to rhyme it with "thistle".
A good reminder, Weston. Thank you.
Oh my! If this is what happens when the net is up I wish it would happen more often! Your voice definitely comes through, but the form contains and emphasizes it beautifully. I think that since you were trying to express such strong emotions having containers was the only way to go. I'm glad you knew how to use them.
Encouragement!!! Thanks, Rose, I'll have an ear out for more formal-verse opportunities. There's a sestina I finished a few weeks ago that I'll be sharing at some point -- that's a really different form, but it really lends itself to mood-colored storytelling.
Thank you, always, for reading and commenting.
(Love the sub-title).
I’m a simpleton when it comes to poetry but to me, the formality of the form adds stiffness to the feelings expressed….despite the wonderful turns of phrase and images.
Free-verse is more clearly the expression of your voice….
Thank you, Shari! You're right, it's harder for formal verse to sound conversational and unstilted ... just as it can be harder for free verse to stay concise and cadenced. Different challenges, different joys.
Thank you for such a thoughtful reading and comment, AP. I'm glad you can still "hear" me in these verses!
Yes, the sonnet was definitely a Container For What I Still Need to Contain, at the time it was written. A lot of wild messy journal writing and free verse came later, but the sonnet was a first step in a way: H'm, I seem to be holding a lot inside. Let me write about that, in a nice contained way....
All respect and admiration to Robert Frost, and he doesn't get to boss us around. I'm glad you're writing your own poems the way they want to be written.