Analysis: Is Rhyme Dead?

Why has metered poetry gone the way of the dinosaur?  Or is it just me?  Surely, there are still poets like myself that prefer to write in the "traditional" style.  By that, I mean rhyming poetry with some sort of meter.  I know they exist, but where can you stumble on their work?  In my experience, finding a poetry publication that accepts and spotlights that genre, let alone a publication that exclusively publishes such, is next to impossible.  Those that did are defunct.  I don't get it.

It seems that poetry has evolved from rhyme to free-verse.  Admittedly, I have not learned to appreciate the free-verse art form yet...largely because it often feels like just chopped up prose.  Reading it feels like someone has written a story and then formatted it to appear to have meter.  John Whitworth humorously explored the topic in Able Muse back in 2009.  Like John, I believe in art and I'm not serious either.    I'm not arguing for the exclusivity of one form over the other, just a level playing field.  I'm genuinely perplexed by the lack of interest in rhyme.

I remember the first time I was assigned to write a poem.  I was in 7th grade and the thought of it both petrified and excited me at the same time.  I still have that poem - it rhymed.  Looking back, it was also marginal, but it ignited something in me that persists to this day. 

If you read my Translating the Passion post, you're aware I also try to write song lyrics.  Most songs still rhyme.  I consider songwriters to be today's true poets.

I'd love to hear your views on the decline of rhyme.  If anyone is aware of a publication I've overlooked that still focuses (or doesn't scorn) rhyming poetry, please make me aware.  In the meantime, The Twilight Blue will try to provide a haven for metered rhyme in hopes that it can enjoy a resurgence.

A Momentary Lapse of Creation

"Long story short - it’s often hard to get out of a creative rut. Sometimes the inspiration’s just not there. There’s many ways to fight this but sometimes you just need to forget about it for a while and it will come back. Also, you never know when or where you’ll find the next inspiration and obsession in your life. Just make sure you're open to it when it presents itself."  (read the full post here)

Those are recent words from my friend, Glenn.  Creatively dormant personally for some time now, it's fitting that the return of my own inspiration coincided with my annual trip to the Maine seacoast.  Strangely, however, it was sparked by an entirely new endeavor - a developing passion for photography.  I've always admired the ability to take captivating photos.  It's a skill I have never possessed.  The advent of the iPhone, however, made taking pictures ubiquitous.  Never deluded by that relationship to real photography, I was glad to acquire my daughter's old camera and embark enthusiastically on trying to improve my skills with a half decent piece of equipment.  The inaugural result of that effort can be viewed in the MAINE 2013 album at OC Expressions.

Like Glenn, I decided to wait it out and not force it during my "dry spell."  Instead of voracious writing, I voraciously read.  I also redesigned the OCEnterprises website.  The Maine seacoast has always been a special place for me to renew my focus.  I'm hoping my writing instinct kicks in, but in the meantime, I'm content to rely on the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Analysis: Translating the Passion

I don’t consider myself a writer.  I’m just a guy that likes to write. Specifically, I like to write poetry.  Or more aptly, song lyrics.  I’m most influenced by other songwriters, who I consider to be today’s real poets.  Among those influences are people like The Beatles, Ronnie James Dio of Rainbow, Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, Dave Matthews, Rik Emmett of Triumph, and Chris Cornell.

 

A well-written lyric can be extremely powerful.  Cleverly compact and expertly crafted, a lyric properly done is the distillation of something infinitely more complex to a keen glimpse of insight. The satisfaction derived from occasionally being fortunate enough to be the distiller is something hard to describe, but if you’re really lucky, the final product makes a tangible impact on someone else too.

 

So why write?  What makes you want to write?  My answer has always been ‘Because I like it.’  When I was younger, I always found my inspiration in angst, heartache, or just about anything that made me feel bad.  As I’ve gotten older and found happiness, my inspiration comes from spiritual issues or love.  For me, writing has always been cathartic.

 

How do you get ideas?  In my experience, ideas come in the middle of the night as I’m trying to fall asleep.  Long, quiet car trips produce the same effect, causing my mind to flood with stuff. Phrases I see or hear are especially key for me.  Just a few words combined a certain way can set off an uncontrollable avalanche in my head, which can cause a problem if you’re not prepared.  I have scrawled entire inspirations on minute scraps of paper, matchbooks, napkins, you name it, in attempts to capture and remember my thoughts.  I used to carry a pen with me at all times in case an idea struck unexpectedly but today’s Smartphone technology has solved that dilemma for me.  I also have one of those tiny digital recorders.  Anyone ever see the movie Night Shift with Michael Keaton?  The Elusive Idea.  The best ones will sometimes sneak up on you.  Be ready.

 

Of course, my writing effort is not confined solely to poetry.  While poetry just flows out of me whenever it likes, my other writings require much more deliberate effort.  To that end, I follow a few guidelines: 

• Write what you know.
• Write vividly.  That’s the best way to capture the passion.
• Outlines are critical.
• Character development is crucial.
• Imagery / Symbolism gives writing texture.  Sometimes this takes care of itself if you have a rich enough reserve to draw from.  So when you’re required to read Moby Dick, you’re well served to actually read it. Think about the imagery you’re familiar with; when you create an image that is the same across people’s minds…you know you’ve done it right.  But think about when you create images that are different across minds…that can be very special too.  It can be paradoxical. That’s personally appealing to me and an aspect I strive for consistently.  If there is one single reason why I write, this is probably it.
• Revise.  I constantly revise my traditional writing, but take care not to revise the passion right out.  It’s that concern that often hinders me from revising my poems.  Small changes in poetry can often alter the intent so I usually do very little editing, instead opting to completely start over and create something else entirely.
• Copyright.  Although you always own the copyright on things you create, I encourage people to obtain legal copyright on anything they think is worthy before floating it out in cyberspace. It’s not costly to accomplish.

 

As I’ve mentioned previously in my Introduction Interruption post, I don’t usually offer much commentary on my poems unless I’m asked.  I recently came across some previous exchanges I’ve had regarding works I’ve posted and will be adding some of that content in the Comments section of those posts.  I encourage you to go back and review those and engage me with any Comments of your own.  Anything stand out? Anything confuse you?  Can you offer constructive advice on how to fix trouble spots I couldn’t fix myself?  My style is often purposely obscure…imagery is everything to me…and I love learning that I’ve achieved the goal of creating different images across minds or been the lucky distiller of a tangible impact.