Poetry - What's That Part 4

 

          Rhyme

    Rhyming poetry is quite common and in some of the "Form" types, a requirement.
    Rhyming occurs when usually the last word, in each of at least two lines, sound the same when spoken.  There are quite a few types of rhyme, here are some more common ones:-
      Perfect rhyme -- spelt the same- sound the same  -  thumb/numb;  fit/ hit

      Imperfect rhyme - sound the same - spelling may differ except for final syllable  -
                                      delight/ fight;  disdain/ rain
      Rich rhyme -  sound the same  - spelling different    - Fair/ where; bean/seen

      Assonant rhyme - spelling different - vowel sounds similar - mouse/ loud; vowed/shroud

      Consonant rhyme - spelling similar  - consonant sounds similar - forum/vacuum

    I won't try going on further, keep it plain and simple. A common usage of rhyme is in limericks;   
                  There was an old man with a beard        (a)
                    Who said,"It's just as I feared!-            (a)
                          Four larks and a wren                    [b]
                          Two owls and a hen                      [b]
                    Have all built their nests in my beard."  (a)

      There are five lines, using the alphabet to show the rhyme scheme you have:
              a a b b a

                    The billy goat's a handsome gent        (a)
                    But has a most far reaching scent        (a)
                    The nanny goat is quite a belle            [b]
                    Let's hope she has no sense of smell.  [b]

        Rhyme scheme for this is a a b b .

        You as a writer can set your own rhyme scheme for your work. It can follow a set pattern for each and every stanza or can be varied to suit your needs. However always keep to a pattern.  e.g.  1      a-b-a-b      c-d-c-d    e-f-e-f    etc
                              2 a-b-a-b      c-c-d-d-    e-f-e-f    j-j-k-k

    Unless writing "Form" poetry where the requirements are very specific, you may choose any rhyme scheme you wish. You are the author and the choice is yours. It will be more rewarding if you plan the scheme you want to use and keep to it.
    However many poems do very well with lines 1&3  and 2& 4 in each four line stanza rhyming, or  lines 1&2  3&4.  I shall leave this section here. there are many specific
  requirements for various types of poetry but the rightly belong to another  proper teacher.   
       
Note:  Both poems used are from a book called  "Verse and Worse" a private collection by
Arnold Silcock, published by Faber.