My advanced poetry class had a discussion the other day, regarding the importance of using poetic forms.
Forms such as the sestina, villanelle, sonnet, blank verse, pantoum, etc. involve stressing certain syllables, rhyming, repetition, and other strict guidelines.
Wait… I thought poetry was meant to be completely creative and free of rules and restrictions. Well, a lot of poetry IS free of form, but poetic forms have helped produce some of the most influential poetry of all time.
Examples:
Sestina: “The Shrinking Lonesome Sestina” -Miller Williams
You write very well! What a villanelle!
Villanelle: “The Waking” -Theodore Roethke
Sonnet: “Heat” -Denis Johnson
Blank Verse: “Directive” -Robert Frost
Pantoum: “Pantoum of the Great Depression” -Donald Justice
As a beginning poet, it can be so frustrating trying to write in these forms. Yet, it can bring out an image or idea that might not have been created otherwise. You might find you like form or you might find that you hate it… Either way, it helps get those creative juices flowing.
I have found that poets who understand form have written some beautiful poetry. You never know… you could try out a new form and create something quite meaningful.
All I’m saying is… at least try it!
Tips:
*If you don’t want to start from scratch, take an old poem you have written and try to conform it into a poetic form. It could bring your poem to the next level!
*Take out lines from your favorite stories and use them to help create a theme or strong image in a poem. (especially useful in writing a pantoum!)
*Take out your top 50 words list and pick out a few words for inspiration. (especially useful in writing a sestina!)
*You don’t have to follow every single rule. (a little variation can add that spark to make your poem unique and more meaningful)
*Use enjambment wisely! (it makes form seem less forced)
Challenge yourself! Good luck!
p.s. I’m writing a pantoum of my own! I’ll post it soon!
Quote of the day: “A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: 1. What am I trying to say? 2. What words will express it? 3. What image or idiom will make it clearer? 4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?” -George Orwell
