The Art of Unrhymed Poetic Expression: Crafting Authentic Thought

When it comes to crafting poetry, many aspire to include rhymes, thinking it elevates their work to a more sophisticated level. However, the idea that rhymes control your thought process is a misnomer. Rhymes are not a necessary element of poetic expression, and they should not dictate the truest, deepest, or most fascinating thoughts you wish to convey. Instead, they can be a tool to enhance, but not to limit, your creative process.

The Intrigue of Rhyme vs. Thoughtful Verse

Allowing your thoughts to be bound by the constraints of rhymes might lead to a superficial representation of your artistic intent. Rhymes are like profanity; they are a poor substitute for genuine thought and creative expression. Rhymes today, especially end-rhymes, are more fitting for pop songs or catchy tunes rather than the nuanced and detailed self-expression expected from literary poets.

Automatic Rhyming in the English Language

One might argue that rhymes are an integral part of the English language, as the language naturally produces rhyme whether one intends it or not. However, the simplicity and ease with which rhymes can be achieved should not be mistaken for elevated poetic value. Rhyming is easily done, even by someone who is not particularly skilled or creative. Yet, the ease of rhyming can lead us to wonder: is this the company we want to keep?

The Example of a Song Versus a Poem

Consider the following lines as an example: "When you down and out / Soon be dead and gone / Play it cool don’t be a fool / And don’t you go alone! / Take some friends with you…" These lines, though rhymed, are more suitable for a song than a poem. They lack the depth and subtlety required for literary expression. The rhyme here is used as a tool to create a pleasant auditory experience, rather than to enhance the deeper meaning of the text.

Contemporary Poetry: Unrestricted by Rhyme

Let us now focus on a contemporary poem about the COVID-19 pandemic:

ANOTHER INSIDE DAY
By Lance Jencks
Here she is again my Ex.
Christmas isn’t everything / it’s cracked-up to be—
damn pandemic / won’t go away.
Inland hills afire
ashes white / grey cover the jacuzzi
the lawnchairs / the patio poured of cement.
Now cracked like my life
There’s a fissure in my gut
I shouldn’t talk about.

Upon analyzing this poem, we can observe the following end-rhymes: L3 and L5 - "be/away"; L5 and L7 - "away/grey"; and L10 and L12 - "cement/gut". However, only one of these rhymes, L5 and L7 - "away/grey", was consciously imposed. The other rhymes were accidental. In this case, the poet used "grey" in place of the more prosaic "grey and white ashes" to create a better rhyme. This choice elevates the language and enhances the poem's emotional depth.

Forgoing Rhyme for Authenticity

Notably, the poet was too busy getting the story down on paper to actively seek rhymes. In many cases, the truest and most genuine expression often comes from a more organic, less controlled process. The best rhyme in the poem is actually an internal rhyme in line 4: "Christmas isn’t everything / it’s cracked-up to be".

Concluding Thoughts

Whether you are writing a poem about a historical event, the present reality of a pandemic, or any other subject, the focus should be on capturing the essence of your thoughts and feelings authentically. While rhymes can enhance the beauty and musicality of your words, they should never be the primary driver of your poetic expression. Embrace the complexity and depth of unrhymed poetry to convey your truest and most fascinating thoughts without artificial constraints.