Free Verse Versus Rhyme

Rhyme Poetry Always has a rhyme pattern Some patterns are aabbcc, abab, abba Usually has a rhythm pattern to further establish the rhyme pattern These patterns are strictly adhered to

An example of Rhyme: A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. John Keats

The Rules of the Poem: It follows a rhyme scheme; AABB, where the words “ever, never and keep, sleep rhyme Its rhythm is eleven syllables per line

Is it a Rhyme Poem? Does it have a rhyme pattern? YES! Does it have a rhythm pattern? Then it is a rhyme poem.

Free Verse Encyclopedia Wikipedia describes free verse poetry as one type of poetry that does not use strict meter or rhyme; however, it still looks like poetry because there are complex patterns. Free verse poetry has a long history and was used in the Bible.

So What Makes it POETRY? "Free verse offers a writer an amazing palette: metaphor, simile, dramatic verbs, assonance, consonance, even perhaps a touch of rhyme slipped into the lines," -Kristine O'Connell George, award winning poet and author.

To Be Free Verse: The piece must be written artistically, using one or more forms of literary device/s throughout the piece. It must have a cohesive message stated creatively. 2. Discuss how free verse is different from other types of poetry that employ strict rules, such as an acrostic, haiku or limerick. Writing free verse does not give students license to throw away all that they know about poetry. Students who understand the rules for other types of poetry will appreciate having more freedom when writing free verse poetry. However, they still should employ poetic techniques in their original free verse poem.

What are the literary devices that are used in these poems What are the literary devices that are used in these poems? What may be implied in them? Identify as free verse or other.

Song of Myself by Walt Whitman I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. I loaf and invite my soul, I lean and loaf at my ease observing a spear of summer grass. Discuss the literary devices that are being used and how the authors take artistic liberty with the language as they create their poetry.

I Dream'd in a Dream by Walt Whitman I DREAM'D in a dream I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth, I dream'd that was the new city of Friends, Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love, it led the rest, It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city,  And in all their looks and words.

Fog by Carl Sandburg The fog comes on little cat feet Fog by Carl Sandburg The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.

Haiku by Murakami Kijo A cold spring night Surrounding a lit lamp Sit blind men in a group

Latin Night at the Pawn Shop By Martin Espada The apparition of a salsa band Gleaming in the Liberty Loan Pawnshop window: Golden trumpet Silver trombone Congas, maracas, tambourine All with price tags dangling Like the city morgue ticket On a dead man's toe

WHEN I THINK ABOUT MYSELF by Maya Angelou When I think about myself, I almost laugh myself to death, My life has been one big joke, A dance that's walked A song that's spoke I laugh so hard I almost choke When I think about myself.

Sixty years in these folks' world The child I works for calls me girl I say "Yes ma'am" for working's sake Too proud to bend Too poor to break I laugh until my stomach ache, When I think about Myself My folks can make me split my side, I laughed so hard I nearly died, The tales they tell sound just like lying, They grow the fruit, But eat the rind, I laugh until I start to crying, When I think about my folks

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE From AS YOU LIKE IT By William Shakespeare All the World's a stage And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like a snail Unwillingly to school, And then the lover Sighing like a furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistresses eyebrow. Then a soldier Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank and manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Five steps (+1) to free verse Choose your subject and write about it. Get it all out. Stay deep and true to the rhythm of the poetic movement rolling through you, but get everything about the subject down on paper.

5 Steps Continued Check your rough poem to see if anything is missing. If you need to add a line, or even a stanza, do so. If you’re missing a metaphor, simile, or turn of phrase, add it. +1 Be sure to make at least one implication in your poem.

5 Steps Continued 3. Read the rough poem aloud. Free verse is a rhythmic dance with voice and words, so check the sequence of lines and make sure that one flows into the other.

5 Steps Continued 4. Move through your poem with an editor’s pen and make sure you’ve selected the words that give proper accent and cadence to the overall poem.

5 Steps Continued 5. Read the poem aloud until it flows like honey and you feel it inside. That’s a sure sign of a well-completed piece of free verse.

5 Steps Together Choose your subject and write about it. Get it all out. Stay deep and true to the rhythm of the poetic movement rolling through you, but get everything about the subject down on paper. Check your rough poem to see if anything is missing. If you need to add a line, or even a stanza, do so. If you’re missing a metaphor, simile, or turn of phrase, add it. +1. Be sure to include an implication in it. Read the rough poem aloud. Free verse is a rhythmic dance with voice and words, so check the sequence of lines and make sure that one flows into the other. Move through your poem with an editor’s pen and make sure you’ve selected the words that give proper accent and cadence to the overall poem. Read the poem aloud until it flows like honey and you feel it inside. That’s a sure sign of a well-completed piece of free verse.

Assignment: Write an original free verse poem and illustrate it. Underline your implication. Use the handout on free verse poems. I will allow this time for you to start a rough draft of the free verse poem in class. Write a final copy of the free verse poem for homework and be sure to illustrate it too.