Poetry Question

[TigerClaw]

Ok, so what makes up a poem? The poems I am used to are like the song lyrics that rhyme. What are the rules for poems that do not rhyme? Are there examples here on lit?

One term I have been hearing about lately is prose. What do they mean you can use or not to use prose?

Thanks.

 

[Whispersecret]

It's been my understanding that prose is anything that isn't poetry.

 

[mskittykatt]

i've been wondering that a bit myself as my writing by many has been called prose... but if WS' definition holds, then when my writing is called poetic prose it means... what? poetic non-poems. i'm so lost. someone throw me a life preserver here please?
sign me,
~Just trying to understand

 

[KillerMuffin]

Prose:

Main Entry: 1prose
Pronunciation: 'prOz
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prosa, from feminine of prorsus, prosus, straightforward, being in prose, contraction of proversus, past participle of provertere to turn forward, from pro- forward + vertere to turn -- more at PRO-, WORTH
Date: 14th century
1 a : the ordinary language people use in speaking or writing b : a literary medium distinguished from poetry especially by its greater irregularity and variety of rhythm and its closer correspondence to the patterns of everyday speech
2 : a prosaic style, quality, or condition

poetry:

Main Entry: po·et·ry
Pronunciation: 'pO-&-trE, -i-trE also 'po(-)i-trE
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 a : metrical writing : VERSE b : the productions of a poet : POEMS
2 : writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm
3 a : something likened to poetry especially in beauty of expression b : poetic quality or aspect <the poetry of dance>


What's the difference?

Prose is required to have complete sentences in it. It requires defined subjects in sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and stories. Meaning is brought around by dynamics of complete sentences working together to form the whole.

Poetry is required to have words in it. Its subjects can be defined or undefined. It only requires one, that is the subject of the entire work. Meaning is brought by the arrangment of the words, not by the dynamics of the subjects and predicates.

 

[mskittykatt]

Meaning is brought by the arrangement of the word, not by the dynamics of the subjects and predicates.

thank you! these are the words that showed me clearly how that applies to me. the plain definition couldn't sink in.

 

[daughter]

What poetry isn't

I belong to a listserve for writers. Seems like this topic is popular this week. Read a response that was on point and funny in my opinon. The member writes:

I can recognize it when I see it--and I can recognize what it
ISN'T: Run-on
sentences, not for stylistic effect but because the writer
doesn't know the
difference. Weak word choices. Passive voice where active is
virtually
demanded, and vice versa. Extraneous words with no purpose.
Prose chopped
into lines, without any thought of where the stops should be
and what
impact, if any, the divisions should emphasize. Good
symbolism squandered on
bad meter. Etc., etc., etc.

I think the impulse to put words on paper willy-nilly and
call it poetry
springs from the belief (not completely unfounded) that
somehow the rules of
English usage don't really apply to poetry. The fact that the
art of poetry
lies sometimes in deliberately and consciously bending or
breaking the rules
of grammar leads some to believe that there are no rules at
all, and
therefore anybody can vomit saccharine glurg across a page
and claim it
poetry, and none dare say otherwise.

Well, for my sister-in-law and all others of her ilk, the
answer is: No. You
can't just string words together and call yourself a poet,
any more than the
corner barbershop pundit can justly lay claim to the title of
orator simply
because he holds forth at length. It doesn't work that way.
Having words is
not enough; you must know how to USE them, with discipline
and focus.

The Russians have a proverb:
Just because a bird is born in a stable, that doesn't make it
a horse.

Good points. Yeah, I know--just my opinion. LOL

Peace,

daughter

 

[TigerClaw]

Well I see, I am going to have

a lot of work with my story writting and poetry. Hmmm. How about if I have the ideas and I pay someone to write for me?

 

[Whispersecret]

How much?

Just kidding.

Er, unless you're a millionaire and can help me make a living from writing. Then, I'm serious.

 

[TigerClaw]

How much?

Just kidding.

Er, unless you're a millionaire and can help me make a living from writing. Then, I'm serious.

Unfortunately, I am not otherwise i would take you up on it. I suppose i have to do it the old fashioned way, learn and struggle.

 

[lovetoread]

Unfortunately, I am not otherwise i would take you up on it. I suppose i have to do it the old fashioned way, learn and struggle.

You are not a millionaire?

Dang it!