Is it wrong to have poetry rhyme?

Question

I really love rhyming poetry. I do not particularly care for the unrhymed poetry. I think it just has to do with style and what you like or don't like. I am writing a book of poetry. The poems will go in an order telling a story. I want to draw silouet illustrations. All the poems are on my blog. All my critics say to stop rhyming but I just don't write that way. Now I have it in my head it is out right WRONG to rhyme and my confidence has been shot. Suggestions, help or anything else will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

If it is wrong we are both in trouble. I am a artist & I write poetry, it all rhymes. I also am not fond of unrhyming poetry. To be able to create a visual image with in rhyme & meter is not only beautiful, it takes talent. I really don't mean to be insulting, but anyone can throw a bunch of nouns & verbs together & call it a poem, but to literally paint a picture with words & envoke a emotional response & do it within the structure of rhythm & rhyme, well that is talent. The very act of writing poetry is so revealing, you expose tiny bits of your inner most self with each poem. It only makes sense you would write these precious pieces of yourself in the way that calls to you. Don't listen to them, if your poems are to continue to have meaning you must first write for yourself. I took a workshop once years ago, & the instructor said no rhyme, she said it did not work. Well, all I had was rhyme so she had me read one. When I was done all she said was, "Well that did work". Stay true to your self. Remenber, the critic in the arts is usually someone who can't perform, so they become a critic. Best of luck on your book!

Answer 2

Actually, everyone here is both right and wrong...imagine that...?

PROSE VERSUS RHYME...???

To be sure, rhyme is never "out" and neither is prose.

Because good poetry can and should be set to music, rhyme poetry seems to have taken a back seat because of changes in the field of music but, perhaps for rap music.

The heavy metal generation has motivated so quickly in the field of music that lyrics could not keep the pace and, as well, the rhythm and the demand for it could not incorporate rhyme poetry, thus the demand for prose poetry which can be assimilated to any extreme at will and desire.

An enticing reward of the trend towards prose is that it permits less talented writers (poets...?) to express themselves...some very good, some very bad...!

As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is the love of poetry. What pleases one may not please another. The love and need for rhyme poetry has not been lost but is simply overshadowed by changing trends within the new generations of life, but not of culture itself.

If you or anyone is prone to rhyme poetry then do not stray your thoughts. Poetry of any style is truly thru inspiration and any attempt to to write outside of your inspired gift would certainly be no more than words in expression and not from your heart.

Never feel you must compete in an area where your heart does not follow... YOU are the inspired poet and when your heart speaks, others will listen...!

Answer 3

The only time there is a wrong way to write poetry is in high school.

Personally, I agree with you - I much prefer rhyming poetry. It's catchy, and so clever. It's also harder to write good rhyming poetry and still say exactly what you wanted to say, so I admire poets like you. Don't let anyone tell you how to write, you have your own style.

By the way, be careful about putting anything you intend to publish on the Internet. It is easy for people to plagiarize, or just print off your work instead of buying it. Some publishers won't even look at your writing if it has ever been on the net.

Answer 4

Poetry is about mastery of language. Rhyming is an indication of that mastery. It's easier to express an emotion or create a mental image when you can choose any words you want, but making the words fit a pattern of rhyme and meter is difficult to do well.

The operative word there is "well." in many cases, the word choices -- and therfore the imagery and impact -- suffer because of the demands of the rhyme. In many cases, the rhyme scheme is so simplistic that is undermines the depth of the words. Getting the balance right is vital.

I'd say it's generally better to sacrifice the rhyme and meter for the good of the words. However, in my opinion, it would be better still to leave the work unpublished until you have the rhyme *and* the meter *and* the word choice all worked out.

I haven't seen your work, so I'll leave it up to you to decide whether it's more appropriate to continue trying to rhyme, or to give that up in favor of better wording.

Answer 5

Well quite often, unfortunately, rhyming poetry is denigrated by those who have neither the talent nor capacity for work to produce the structured, rhyming stuff. Quite often (but obviously, not always) so-called free verse is ramshackle chopped-up prose, with no regard for sound of words, rhythm, or line movement and arrangement, which should mirror the meaning of the piece. Rhyming poetry is hard work to get right, but a source of immense satisfaction when a meaningful and original piece emerges.

Answer 6

I think rhyming poetry is beautiful. If you can keep the images and emotions in your poem while you rhyme your work, great work. I used to try to rhyme but I found that when I try to my work sounds fake and superficial because I focused too much on the rhymes and not enough on the feeling.

You keep rhyming and doing what works best for your work.
Good luck with your book hun!

Answer 7

Is there really a right or wrong in poetry? Rhyming or non-rhyming styles...It's all up to YOU! All critics will have their opinion. That's why they are called critics. Write what you feel. That's what counts.

Answer 8

Poetry doesn't always has to be rhythmical. I write poems with or without rhyme, it just doesn't matter. You may be have the ability to rhyme, is not a sin, everybody has a way to write. Poetry is free for everybody, long, short, rhyme, no rhyme, sweet, dark, no matter which one, poetry is everything.

Answer 9

Those critics who do not like rhyme are more partial to Haiku style righting such as....

White crane by the water,
East wind blowing its crested feathers,
Rise to fly,
Become the wind.

Those kind of people are too lazy or their attention span is of a childs - hence the name critic.
You write what inspires you! I love your poems and your poetry is to be a reflection of you and your life not of others. Poetry is personal and how you write is how you view your world and emotions. Who knows, when it goes into print for the public we here on Yahoo can say, "We know her, we were her fans before she was famous!" Keep up your passion!
Blessed be and Peace

Answer 10

For heaven's sake, a rhyme never hurt anybody that I know of, and is still used in today's poetry in some ways and by some people... a lot of them top poets in poetry slams. Nothing reads out loud quite so well as the unexpected alliteration, rhyme, meter or other old tools of the poetry trade.

So unless your rhymes simply need improvement, please feel free to continue them... in fact continue them anyway, that way they will improve! Good luck!