Some thoughts on how about the nature of free verse and some explanation of how I use free verse myself.
In many ways, I feel that free verse is more difficult to approach than even the most highly structured forms of poetry, such as the terzanelle or English ghazal. The reason I feel free verse is so difficult to approach is because of the overabundance of freedom therein. Structured forms provide an inherent context while free verse is completely context free. It seems to me that lack of context can make cohesion of expression more than difficult. I am of the opinion that various “movements” have sprung up over the last century and a half to address this difficulty. Such movements would include Surrealism and Imagism. Movements such as these begin to bind a context and frame to unstructured poetry. Without this context and frame, free verse would seem like nothing more than confetti in the wind.
I have as of yet to buy into any of the philosophies behind the various movements in poetry that I have been exposed to, though I do try to keep an open mind to the ideas behind these movements and to make use of the ideas I take a liking to. The reason I don’t buy into any given philosophy or movement is that doing so seems to narrow the scope of my vision and openness, which feels counterproductive to my goals as a poet. Such goals include forever trying to broaden my vision and willingness to consider new ideas and to evolve emotionally and spiritually as substantially as I may within the context of my current existence. To me, buying into any philosophy becomes counterproductive of such aims.
Because I do not buy into any fixed philosophy in relation to poetry, all I can offer in the way of understanding my approach to writing free verse is information about the conventions I follow. These conventions are more than likely inspired by my considerable and ongoing exploration of structured forms, as well as my reaction to continued exposure to work done in unstructured forms. Understanding some of the conventions I follow may make reading my free verse more meaningful. These conventions are centered around a desire to create a natural linguistic experience both in reading as well as expression. Not surprisingly, most of my conventions are centered around structural issues:
Line breaks: In my exploration of structured verse, I rarely come across expressions that are enjambed between line breaks. By expression I mean a fragment that represents a complete expression within the context of the stanza and then the poem. I use line breaks with utmost care and consideration. To me, each line break must represent a break in continuity of thought, feeling, understanding, etc—expression.
Stanza breaks: I use stanza breaks in free verse to separate whole segments of expression. The line breaks within a stanza I use to break immediate continuity, which may physically hold representation as a brief pause if reading aloud. In breaking a stanza, I may be jumping to another line of expression or wanting to effect a pause between expressions along the same lines. Either way, I intend for a sort of stop or plug in the stream of expression presented by the stanza at its close.
Punctuation: Since free verse is not prose, I consider any rules applicable to prose inapplicable to free verse. In this sense, I try to use punctuation only when it may clarify meaning. My stanzas normally do not close with a period, and my lines rarely close with a comma or other punctuating break. I might use the long hyphen to create a strong break of expression within the context of a stanza. I often use an ellipsis to leave an expression incomplete. I may use commas to suggest a natural pause within an expression or to clarify the structure of a line. For instance, to clarify the functional separation of two fragments. To me, punctuation is open game in free verse because free verse is not constrained to the rules of prose. I do my best to use punctuation meaningfully as I can, or not at all.
General Formatting: I am not necessarily partial toward particular sorts of formatting. In my exploration of free verse, I am most interested in conveying something I feel is meaningful in some way. In general, I tend to left justify everything except in rare occasions.
These conventions begin to define my personal approach to writing free verse. Content is what has the most importance to me. As such, I write for the sole purpose finding the words to express that which has particular meaning and importance to me. My exposure to and interest in structured poetry may reveal itself in some of my free verse. When reading my free verse, you will see this especially in my exploration of metrical free verse. That is, free verse where each stanza conforms to the same syllabic or accentual structure.
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Having joined a class on free verse and vocabulary building skills, I found this to be very provoking. Throughout read this, I compared your explanation of your feeling of free verse to my own and the way I write it. Granted, I don't think one is any better than the other, but your words have certainly created a thoughtful mood within me.
I tend to be picky about free verse. It's difficult at times, yes...and when forced, that makes it all the worst for wear. I don't know what you think about the thought of free verse being forced, but I think it can be, such as when I am writing a poem in free verse, but every time I think of another line, I feel as if it should rhyme. If I continue writing without line, it feels forced.
Anyway, I'm also very picky about the form of my free verse, as in, how it looks while being written. For some reason, I don't like for the lines to be too long or too short. My line breaks are based on that most of the time...along with new ideas being written down. After all, you can't keep a syllable count of free verse...It wouldn't be quite so free then. However, I also realize that, after reading what you thought about line breaks, my lines may stop abruptly when they aren't supposed to, which is a shame. A good flow is nearly everything in poetry, after all.
Stanza breaks just seem to come to me naturally. Stanza breaks are kind of like paragraphs in prose for me. If a new idea is being started, a stanza break is required. If course, that's not all it is based on. If I feel like a new stanza is appropriate somewhere, I'll make it without really thinking. You put a lot of thought in everything you do in poetry, and that seems to be very difficult. I just write from feelings most of the time, and edit it later.
As for punctuation...well, I don't use periods. I rarely use anything besides commas, apostrophes, hyphens, elipses and semi-colons. Semi-colons are like my periods. I love to use them, and when I can't (sich as not being allowed to use punctuation for certain homework assignments in my free verse class), it bothers me. Then I have to figure out how to reword it so I don't feel like it needs it. I never thought of using punctuation as a way of giving further expression to lines. I'm not quite sure how that even works. Pehraps I've been doing that without realizing, who knows...but it is really intriguing that you put so much thought in everything you do. It reminds me of another writer I know who can literally take months to finish one poem...
General formatting, as I have already said, is very important to me. I guess you could say I like everything to be 'neat'. I know one writer who doesn't pay attention to that, and I foten envy her skills with writing. I bet if I were to read some of your pieces, I might envy your ability as well. I think I'm getting better though. I've spent a lot longer writing my poems recently, adding unfamiliar words to broaden my vocabulary. At first, I wasn't so sure that it would be very expressive, but I've grown to like it. If only I could remember the words and definitions...
I guess you can certainly see how thought provoking this was for me, huh? Your words alone could teach writers how to consider what they are writing and how they are doing it more thoroughly. Maybe it will help me become a better writer in some way.
Thank you for such an interesting column on free verse. I really enjoyed reading it.
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Excellent column here, Erin. Clear and so very imformative. It's nice to know that in free verse, the cracks on the sidewalk don't represent my mother's back.lol.
Concise but complete. I am going to read this again. Thank you. -
This guy Erin Thomas is some smart! I notice it said he was unemployed. I wonder how one so talented could be so. I am extremely imprerssed with what I have seen written by him on this site. I want to learn more about him, whether he has published any books on poetry, and, if so, buy one or more of them. I printed out one of his articles right here on this site, and it makes a pretty good book just like it is. Such talent!
Sincerely,
Hardy Parkerson, Atty.
Lake Charles -
Free verse is a wild horse, indeed, and it seems to me that a lot of the free verse spewn all over this site is little more than prose lacking punctuation and pasted with flowery language. It is, however, free as it claims, so I suppose I'm not one to judge.
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excellent
I respect your view on free verse but I can write that better than a sonnet or blank verse. Alot of times I can write this off top of my head and sometimes I have to envision things into my head or a inspiration of some sort. -
In matters of structure, I am usually safer deferring to your better judgment. But I will hazard to add to your comments. All poetry including free verse and even fine prose are man’s feeble attempts to add an additional dimension of meaning to the spoken word. Free verse is not nearly as free or easy as some people might think. In structured poetry, if the parameters of the style have been met, the poet has succeeded, at least in one regard. Also the structure or rhyme of the poem provides the author a kind of a checksum to know when he is on target.
A free verse needs to be analyzed more carefully, both in writing and in reading. Does the form, meter, and structure actually add something to the message? Do the words take on a transcendent quality. Can you feel as well as read the poem? These are the questions one needs to ask oneself. With the absence of structured rhyme, and predetermined measure, the poet needs to adjust the imagery, line length, read speed, assonances, dissonances etc. to create the desired affect (not that he should ever ignore these qualities of writing). Although it is often hard to define free verse, it is usually not very difficult to recognize.
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Wow- an interesting look into writing free-verse in the particular way that you do it, such a wonderful idea to explain it within this column
Interesting article which I liked a lot, although I don't use them in all my freeverses. Amazing column, keep writing because this was very interesting- now go out and practice it!
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most that are structured poets... forget to look within what is written...
many remember what their teachers have taught or professors...
only to lose the gest of what one is trying to say.
and to me that's sad...
because if they were openminded to look..
they might learn something
within this insight.
Bill -
Excellent!
I think that this is a very wll written and very well argued, plus thought out, piece. I agree with this, but if I may qualify your argument by stating that both types are equally important, although equally practical or equally used. Free verse allows for more creative and original expression of feelings, visions, hopes, etc; form poetry, however, is more strict, and that strictness, as has been my experience, opens you up to different thoughts and ways of expressing. Is that strictness always good? No. But neither is too much freedom. In my opinion, I say everyone should write whatever he or she feels suits him or her best. I'm not expressing my thoughts as well as I want, because I am being rushed and I cannot gather my thoughts well enough (see how redundant I am being). Anyhow, this is a very interesting article and well worth further discussion and analysis. Keep up the good wrok! -
My, you have been busy. This line needs help:
"In general, I tend to left justify everything except in rare occasions." I don't have any idea what you are saying here but I believe it is due to an omission of a word or a typo of some sort.
I like the way you go about free verse. Most poets, myself included just write something and call it free-verse. This column is very educational and I think I'll be paying more attention to 'my' free-verse.
Thanks, as always for speaking your mind and sharing it with this poetic community.
~Bezoar
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Very interesting view about free verse Erin.
K&L
Mari
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