Poetry Genius Weekly Newsletter
Newsletter 2
Hi all
Welcome to our Newsletter, Poetry Genius, where each week we consider all things poetry, with discussion, tips and references. Feel free to contact me if there is anything in particular you would like included.
Many aspiring poets, especially those on Medium.com, struggle to find which type of poetry writing suits their style, and especially which format they should use to best stand out in their chosen publication.
At present, I personally favour Free Verse for various reasons, but I have written extensively in all different forms in the past.
Each form has its strengths and its drawbacks, some easier than others.
Here is a summary of the main types and their merits or otherwise.
Difficulties of Writing Poems in Different Forms
When comparing the difficulties of writing poems in various forms like free verse, blank verse, prose poetry, and rhyming poetry, each presents unique challenges that poets encounter. Here is a breakdown of the difficulties associated with each form:
- Free Verse: Free verse poetry lacks a specific rhyme scheme or meter, offering poets freedom in structure. However, crafting impactful free verse requires a deep understanding of literary devices to create coherence and evoke emotions without the constraints of traditional forms
- Blank Verse: Blank verse consists of unrhymed lines in iambic pentameter, offering a natural flow akin to everyday speech. The challenge lies in maintaining the rhythm and structure while conveying complex ideas effectively within this formal framework
- Prose Poetry: Prose poetry blurs the lines between prose and poetry, challenging writers to balance narrative elements with poetic language. Crafting prose poetry involves skilfully blending storytelling with lyrical qualities to create a harmonious fusion of genres
- Rhyming Poetry: Rhyming poetry adheres to specific rhyme schemes, requiring poets to carefully select words that not only rhyme but also convey meaning effectively. The challenge lies in avoiding forced rhymes and maintaining coherence while adhering to a structured rhyme pattern
Most Difficult and Easiest Form
- Most Difficult: According to Joseph O’Neill, poetry is considered the hardest form of writing both technically and spiritually and rhyming poetry is one of the most difficult to write well. The technical challenges of crafting precise language and adhering to poetic conventions, coupled with the spiritual depth required to convey profound emotions and ideas concisely, make rhyming poetry a formidable form that demands exceptional skill and creativity
- Easiest: Among the forms discussed, prose poetry may be perceived as relatively easier due to its narrative style that allows for more straightforward storytelling compared to the structural constraints of traditional poetry forms like blank verse or rhyming poetry. Prose poetry offers flexibility in expression while still incorporating poetic elements, making it more accessible for some writers
In conclusion, each form of poetry presents its own set of challenges, with free verse allowing for creative freedom, blank verse demanding rhythmic precision, prose poetry blending genres seamlessly, and rhyming poetry requiring meticulous attention to rhyme and meaning. While poetry as a whole is considered difficult due to its compression of information and reliance on literary devices, the choice of form can influence the level of difficulty for individual poets based on their strengths and preferences.
Next week:
Getting boosted on Medium isn’t easy, some writers never get boosted and only a few manage this on a regular basis. It’s even harder with Poetry or Micropoetry writing
Since joining Medium, I have had at least 2 of my poems boosted every month (March so far, 3 boosted in 2 days). I’ll discuss this, and examine what makes these poems so attractive to the people on Medium who decide what gets boosted.
Also, I’ll talk about rhyming poetry, probably the most difficult to write, for various reasons.
Regards
Tom
