near rhymes

[wildsweetone]

near rhymes hold some kind of fascination for me. i enjoy the pleasant sound and the surprise that comes with recognising them.

Charley's poem in the PDC holds some near rhymes and it's made me think...

are near rhymes better placed within the line or at line ends?

i feel that they're better within the writing but i don't have any particular reasoning.

i suppose you're all going to say it doesn't matter where they're placed now. lol

 

[Reltne]

near rhymes hold some kind of fascination for me. i enjoy the pleasant sound and the surprise that comes with recognising them.

Charley's poem in the PDC holds some near rhymes and it's made me think...

are near rhymes better placed within the line or at line ends?

i feel that they're better within the writing but i don't have any particular reasoning.

i suppose you're all going to say it doesn't matter where they're placed now. lol

To my ear near-rhymes within lines are as intriguing as alliterations.
Near or "strained" rhymes at the end only work (if at all) when spoken or sung aloud, and even here I agree more often then not with Paul Simon's lyric:

. . .
And a song I was writing is left undone
I don't know why I spend my time
Writing songs I can't believe
With words that tear and strain to rhyme
. . .

I will downgrade my vote on a poem with tearing/strained rhymes unless it is specified as a song lyric.

 

[Guest]

I totally agree with reltne.

Internal rhymes or "near rhymes" can add to a poem, both in readability and visually.

Missed rhymes at the end of the line simply irritate me and I think of it as laziness.

I suppose I find them accpetabl when sung - there'd be no popular music otherwise.

 

[jthserra]

I disagree

I totally agree with reltne.

Internal rhymes or "near rhymes" can add to a poem, both in readability and visually.

Missed rhymes at the end of the line simply irritate me and I think of it as laziness.

I suppose I find them accpetabl when sung - there'd be no popular music otherwise.

I find the use of near rhymes fascinating and when I read them in a poem I think of their use not as lazy, quite the opposite. I think lazy is settling for the same old rhyming pairs (sky, fly, be, free, see) rather than stretch the language and play off of word sounds. This is especially true if the near rhyme can enhance the flow of the work. Lazy is forcing the rhyme, with backward or simply awkward phrasing used simply to create the rhyme.



A Fall (Villanelle)
by jthserra ©

To look at leaves that once were poems
and poets: branches against which
the colors blossom, autumn blooms

in elm, oak, magnolia perfumes
the unfolding buds strangely twitch
to look at leaves that once were poems.

Faint greens harden to verdant gloom
a depth and strength, vascular pitch
the colors blossom, autumn blooms

bright, fiery hues, the verse consumes
balanced on stems, a poet's stitch
to look at leaves that once were poems

that tip and tumble: falling looms
a failing voice, worn, graveled hitch
the colors blossom, autumn blooms.

The scattered forms at earthly tombs
are folded, crackled, the soil rich
to look at leaves that once were poems
the colors blossom, autumn blooms.


In the constriction of the villanelle's two rhymes, the near rhyme of poems and blooms adds a bit of interest I think. In the context of the poem it all seems quite natural.


jim : )

 

[chefsuess]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[WickedEve]

near rhymes hold some kind of fascination for me. i enjoy the pleasant sound and the surprise that comes with recognising them.

Charley's poem in the PDC holds some near rhymes and it's made me think...

are near rhymes better placed within the line or at line ends?

i feel that they're better within the writing but i don't have any particular reasoning.

i suppose you're all going to say it doesn't matter where they're placed now. lol

Anything, or most anything, can work in poetry as long as it's handled by a talented/experienced poet (in most cases) like jthserra's A Fall. Personally, I prefer internal rhymes, but after reading A Fall, I'm in love with the use of near rhymes placed at the end. I feel inspired to try this with a terzanelle.

 

[flyguy69]

Here's a poet I am delighted to see again! Welcome back, jth!

Since poetry is an art, the use of rhymes, near-rhymes, pararhymes etc. in surprising or innovative ways is one of the many ways poets can make their work enjoyable. Don't restrict yourself, WSO!

I find the use of near rhymes fascinating and when I read them in a poem I think of their use not as lazy, quite the opposite. I think lazy is settling for the same old rhyming pairs (sky, fly, be, free, see) rather than stretch the language and play off of word sounds. This is especially true if the near rhyme can enhance the flow of the work. Lazy is forcing the rhyme, with backward or simply awkward phrasing used simply to create the rhyme.



A Fall (Villanelle)
by jthserra ©

To look at leaves that once were poems
and poets: branches against which
the colors blossom, autumn blooms

in elm, oak, magnolia perfumes
the unfolding buds strangely twitch
to look at leaves that once were poems.

Faint greens harden to verdant gloom
a depth and strength, vascular pitch
the colors blossom, autumn blooms

bright, fiery hues, the verse consumes
balanced on stems, a poet's stitch
to look at leaves that once were poems

that tip and tumble: falling looms
a failing voice, worn, graveled hitch
the colors blossom, autumn blooms.

The scattered forms at earthly tombs
are folded, crackled, the soil rich
to look at leaves that once were poems
the colors blossom, autumn blooms.


In the constriction of the villanelle's two rhymes, the near rhyme of poems and blooms adds a bit of interest I think. In the context of the poem it all seems quite natural.


jim : )

 

[Guest]

I know we've discussed this before but here I go again. Accents make a big difference on how one reads or hears (in ones head) a "near rhyme. For you, jim - and it's a woohoo to see you here once more - the word "poem" would be pronounced very differently from me. Once more, it's a very personal thing so we'll never all agree.

I love your villanelle and you're right - it is interesting but - for me - "poem" and "bloom" are not close to rhyming.


(It must be a full moon - jim and darkmaas in the same day!)

 

[wildsweetone]

I find the use of near rhymes fascinating and when I read them in a poem I think of their use not as lazy, quite the opposite. I think lazy is settling for the same old rhyming pairs (sky, fly, be, free, see) rather than stretch the language and play off of word sounds. This is especially true if the near rhyme can enhance the flow of the work. Lazy is forcing the rhyme, with backward or simply awkward phrasing used simply to create the rhyme.



A Fall (Villanelle)
by jthserra ©

To look at leaves that once were poems
and poets: branches against which
the colors blossom, autumn blooms

in elm, oak, magnolia perfumes
the unfolding buds strangely twitch
to look at leaves that once were poems.

Faint greens harden to verdant gloom
a depth and strength, vascular pitch
the colors blossom, autumn blooms

bright, fiery hues, the verse consumes
balanced on stems, a poet's stitch
to look at leaves that once were poems

that tip and tumble: falling looms
a failing voice, worn, graveled hitch
the colors blossom, autumn blooms.

The scattered forms at earthly tombs
are folded, crackled, the soil rich
to look at leaves that once were poems
the colors blossom, autumn blooms.


In the constriction of the villanelle's two rhymes, the near rhyme of poems and blooms adds a bit of interest I think. In the context of the poem it all seems quite natural.


jim : )

the near rhyme seems to enhance the alliteration within the lines for me. is that meant to happen or is it something i am personally aware of?

i like how your writing in this poem flows. the line ends are not stilted. it made for easy reading.

 

[wildsweetone]

Some of Wilfred Owen's finest poems used half rhymes or near rhymes to great effect. My favorite is his poem, Strange Meeting:


It seemed that out of battle I escaped
Down some profound dull tunnel, long since scooped
Through granites which titanic wars had groined.

Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned,
Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.
Then, as I probed them, one sprang up, and stared
With piteous recognition in fixed eyes,
Lifting distressful hands, as if to bless.
And by his smile, I knew that sullen hall, -
By his dead smile I knew we stood in Hell.

With a thousand pains that vision's face was grained;
Yet no blood reached there from the upper ground,
And no guns thumped, or down the flues made moan.
'Strange friend,' I said, 'here is no cause to mourn.'
'None,' said that other, 'save the undone years,
The hopelessness. Whatever hope is yours,
Was my life also; I went hunting wild
After the wildest beauty in the world,
Which lies not calm in eyes, or braided hair,
But mocks the steady running of the hour,
And if it grieves, grieves richlier than here.
For by my glee might many men have laughed,
And of my weeping something had been left,
Which must die now. I mean the truth untold,
The pity of war, the pity war distilled.
Now men will go content with what we spoiled,
Or, discontent, boil bloody, and be spilled.
They will be swift with swiftness of the tigress.
None will break ranks, though nations trek from progress.
Courage was mine, and I had mystery,
Wisdom was mine, and I had mastery:
To miss the march of this retreating world
Into vain citadels that are not walled.
Then, when much blood had clogged their chariot-wheels,
I would go up and wash them from sweet wells,
Even with truths that lie too deep for taint.
I would have poured my spirit without stint
But not through wounds; not on the cess of war.
Foreheads of men have bled where no wounds were.

I am the enemy you killed, my friend.
I knew you in this dark: for so you frowned
Yesterday through me as you jabbed and killed.
I parried; but my hands were loath and cold.
Let us sleep now...'


Owen was killed in one of the last battles of World War I, and this and Owen's other war poems were published posthumously.

hi chefsuess and welcome to the Poetry Forum

i think it is the punctuation at the line ends that make this poem seem more stilted to read. to me, it seems to unduly make the end near rhymes 'stick out'.

does anyone else find that or is it just me?

 

[wildsweetone]

Here's a poet I am delighted to see again! Welcome back, jth!

Since poetry is an art, the use of rhymes, near-rhymes, pararhymes etc. in surprising or innovative ways is one of the many ways poets can make their work enjoyable. Don't restrict yourself, WSO!

no, not restricting myself at all. just learning my own likes and dislikes.

 

[wildsweetone]

I know we've discussed this before but here I go again. Accents make a big difference on how one reads or hears (in ones head) a "near rhyme. For you, jim - and it's a woohoo to see you here once more - the word "poem" would be pronounced very differently from me. Once more, it's a very personal thing so we'll never all agree.

I love your villanelle and you're right - it is interesting but - for me - "poem" and "bloom" are not close to rhyming.


(It must be a full moon - jim and darkmaas in the same day!)

'poem' and 'bloom' for me rhyme with the 'm'. the 'o' sounds completely different in both. where it says 'poems' or 'blooms' then 'ms' is the rhyme. also, and this is going to sound kinda strange... but the shape of the mouth is the same for pronouncing 'b' or 'p' - a kind of pout (although the resulting sounds are different)... so perhaps there's a little more going on in the background with that.

 

[Guest]

nope, sorry, WSO I still can't see it. I say PO-EM with a short "O" and two syllables, BLOOM, on the other hand is one syllable with an "OO" sound. Too my mind the vowels make the rhyme.

Like I said - we'll never agree.

 

[wildsweetone]

hey tess *waving*

i'm agreeing with you. the vowels do not rhyme. but to my way of thinking the rhyme is in the 'm' and 's'.

maybe that's how jim meant it to be...?

 

[flyguy69]

no, not restricting myself at all. just learning my own likes and dislikes.

Unless, of course, you like to be restricted. Then we have a whole 'nother conversation going on!

 

[Nickie Smiles]

http://www.purpleroom.com/index.cfm

This is a great program for those who love to write. You can try it out for 30 days for free or buy for 34.95. Don't worry, it won't give you a virus.

It comes with a dictionary, thesaurus, and finds rhyming words or similar sounding ones for you without pulling up I.E. It will also tell you how many syllables are in the word you type in. Just play around a little. It's a real easy program to figure out in less than 5 mins.

po-em - 2 syllables

 

[Liar]

For those inclined to mess around with rhyming...

Rhymezone's online dictionary does not only serve you rhymes, but synonyms, homophones, antonyms, string matches...

It is also great if you're stuck in a thought. Just toss in a word, and it will spit out a bunch of new ones, that might trigger the imagination.

 

[Nickie Smiles]

For those inclined to mess around with rhyming...

Rhymezone's online dictionary does not only serve you rhymes, but synonyms, homophones, antonyms, string matches...

It is also great if you're stuck in a thought. Just toss in a word, and it will spit out a bunch of new ones, that might trigger the imagination.

That's definitely a great place to go even for free verse writers or any writer for that matter. I've had that saved in my favorites for quite some time, and had forgotten. I'm glad you mentioned it.

 

[twelveoone]

use what works for the effect you want.
Jim has an excellent example. Wifred Owen's Strange Meeting was revolutionary, it works considering what he had to go through.

Look Here
*
imperfect rhyme, slant rhyme, half rhyme, approximate rhyme, near rhyme, off rhyme, oblique rhyme: These are all general terms referring to rhymes that are close but not exact: lap/shape, glorious/nefarious.


*
eye rhyme: This refers to rhymes based on similarity of spelling rather than sound. Often these are highly conventional, and reflect historical changes in pronunciation: love/move/prove, why/envy.


notice Ríos's definations, betrays his bias. Notice also "eye rhyme" defination - we know his prejudice. Don't get dogmatic. You and the audience determine the effect, and it is your job to lead at least part of them.


Welcome back Jim.

I suspect part of the objections are due to the fact to many use it as a lazy substitute, and it is obvious. In great works the tools are not obvious. I read a few things here that have used perfect end rhyme, that I did notice on first read.

 

[RhymeFairy]

Thank you 1201, and Liar.

I had both of these sights a year ago and lost them.
I am soooo glad to see you posted them here.
I for one can vouche for both.
I lovveeee RhymeZone it is awesome for everything
and also free thoughts like Liar stated~

Thank You again ~

I get to play now, woohoooo ~

 

[wildsweetone]

gosh these are some cool links! thank you

I have been using this: Online Rhyming Dictionary and my braincells which explains a lot of things.

 

[Nickie Smiles]

gosh these are some cool links! thank you

I have been using this: Online Rhyming Dictionary and my braincells which explains a lot of things.

Fab! I have another to add to my favorites now. Thank you, too!

 

[wildsweetone]

does anyone have some favourite Litland near-rhyme poems?

there doesn't seem to be a feature for being able to search poems on this site.

 

[wildsweetone]

i sure wish i could bottle up RhymeZone and carry it around with me for a week.

 

[Guest]

i sure wish i could bottle up RhymeZone and carry it around with me for a week.

Hello WSO.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0895243172.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg


Pop this in your pocket.