"Wow! You can rhyme?" What a sweet acknowledgement that has been, and yet how sad. Since the early 1900's, give or take, the popular notion of rhyming has been discredited as a passe writing form. Negatively censured as being "romantic," this style of poetry has been pushed aside in favor of prose, and other modern forms, for much of the twentieth century.
I have no issue with modern, avant garde artists; they breathe new energies into poetry. I like to stretch the limits occasionally, also. For instance, it was invigorating when I attempted to emulate Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and other beat poets, for a while. What I learned from them enhanced my work in ways that I could not have anticipated. That experience also grounded me in the knowledge of who I am as a rhyming poet.
What bothers me, though, is that the current voices of modern poetry still tend to teach predominantly about prose, admonish all other forms of writing, and to relegate anyone who rhymes to the back of the room. It is disquieting, dangerous, and dishonest that blossoming poets today are dissuaded from becoming lyric poets.
That I, as a modern-day rhyming poet, have come as a surprise to so many of the poets I meet proves only to illustrate today's writing climate. I am hoping to help dispel this current trend by releasing my work into the mix, and by encouraging others to give rhyming works a chance. After all, all forms of poetry are viable.
To any and all who are interested in writing lyrical poetry, my advice is that you begin by reading the works of the lyric poets, as I did . Immerse yourself in the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe, Edna St Vincent Millay, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, to name a few, and over time, you will become acquainted with the subtle nuances in their work. Find and follow their timeless templates. It is always a worthy endeavor to learn and to write poems that rhyme.
I have no issue with modern, avant garde artists; they breathe new energies into poetry. I like to stretch the limits occasionally, also. For instance, it was invigorating when I attempted to emulate Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and other beat poets, for a while. What I learned from them enhanced my work in ways that I could not have anticipated. That experience also grounded me in the knowledge of who I am as a rhyming poet.
What bothers me, though, is that the current voices of modern poetry still tend to teach predominantly about prose, admonish all other forms of writing, and to relegate anyone who rhymes to the back of the room. It is disquieting, dangerous, and dishonest that blossoming poets today are dissuaded from becoming lyric poets.
That I, as a modern-day rhyming poet, have come as a surprise to so many of the poets I meet proves only to illustrate today's writing climate. I am hoping to help dispel this current trend by releasing my work into the mix, and by encouraging others to give rhyming works a chance. After all, all forms of poetry are viable.
To any and all who are interested in writing lyrical poetry, my advice is that you begin by reading the works of the lyric poets, as I did . Immerse yourself in the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe, Edna St Vincent Millay, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, to name a few, and over time, you will become acquainted with the subtle nuances in their work. Find and follow their timeless templates. It is always a worthy endeavor to learn and to write poems that rhyme.
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