free verse is great

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“Free verse, also called open form verse, is distinguished from traditional versification in that its RHYTMS are not organized into the regularity of METER.” (Hamilton 239)

I have always had a hard time distinguishing blank verse from free verse until this semester. I learned that blank verse is “unrhymed iambic pentameter.” I’ve always enjoyed writing in free verse. I don’t like having constrictions when I write. I can just let my ideas flow. I feel that when there are no constraints, I can express my feelings better. I can say the words in my heart and not have to change anything around to make it rhyme or fit a pattern.

I think I used to write free verse because I had a hard time understanding poetry. I know in this class I struggled with rhyme schemes and stressed and unstressed syllables. I just wanted to avoid it. But, when it came time to write sonnets, I couldn’t hide from my fears anymore. It took a while, but my patience paid off. I finally understood.

I enjoy writing in blank verse as well. But for the longest time, I thought I was writing a blank verse when really I was writing in free verse. I just learned that blank verse is written in iambic pentameter. I didn’t feel as constricted writing in blank verse. Yes iambic pentameter is a constraint, but its only one constraint.

I still prefer writing in free verse. I just feel I can be more open with my thoughts that way. But, at least now it’s a choice.  Now I can say it’s a type of poetry I prefer, not it’s the only type of poetry I understand.

2 Comments

Stephanie Wytovich said:

Angelica, I completely agree with you! I'm the same way and I wrote about my feelings with fighting the restraints of poetry as well. I also gave examples and am curious as to what people in general think of free writing vs. constricted writing.

If you want, you can check out my blog: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/StephanieWytovich/2008/04/the_beauty_of_freedom_of_speec.html

Kaitlin Monier said:

It's nice to understand the different types of poetry. I thought I preferred free verse because it was the only thing I knew, but actually it turns out that after learning about the structured poetry, I think I like writing that the best.

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