~ The Poet's Place Cafe~

1. The Line: The basic and most important component in the structure of a poem is the line. The line is the poetic equivalent to a sentence in prose, presenting a distinct image or idea. A line in a poem may end at the end of a sentence or thought (called “end-stopped”), or a sentence may run over to the next line {called “enjambment”). A pause in the middle of a line is known as a caesura, usually noted by some form of punctuation. The poet uses the caesura to slow the reader down in order to absorb a thought more fully and to break up the strident cadence of a strict meter.

The poet manipulates the line length to control the tone. Shorter lines project a sense of tension or anxiety, while longer lines provide a smoother flow. The placement of a line on the page can also be arranged to promote a particular effect.


The enjambment, caesuras, and configuration of the lines are specifically designed to control the pace and develop a rhythm. The lines become a framework upon which the poet lays different lengths of colorful material.

2. The Stanza: The stanza is a group of lines separated by blank lines before and after, equivalent to the paragraph in prose. The term “stanza” derives from the Italian word for “stopping place” or “room,” which provides some insight to its purpose in a poem. Each stanza has its own function and imagery like furniture in a room, but is connected to the other stanzas (rooms) in the poem (house) by some common thread.

Stanzas are commonly identified by the number of lines they contain. Here are some of the terms used for identification:

			Couplet		2 lines
			Tercet		3 lines
			Quatrain		4 lines
			Cinquain		5 lines
			Sestet		6 lines
			Septet		7 lines
			Octave		8 lines

As with the lines, the poet specifically designs the stanza arrangement to sharpen the focus and control the pace for the purpose of maximizing the effect on the reader’s experience.

3. Form: Hundreds of different poetic forms have been and continue to be devised by creative poets. Many beginners shun the use of poetic forms, claiming the requirements inhibit free expression. However, selection of an appropriate form with features that provide an extra layer of expression can provide a significant contribution to the overall effect of the composition. Note the difference in these two forms:


The following links provide a sampling of the many forms available for consideration when making selections for your garden:


ACROSTICS:

An acrostic is a poem in which the first letters of the lines or other recurring features, read down the page, spell out a message or a name. The poem itself should also carry a meaningful message, or it will be nothing more than a jumble of disjointed phrases. Rhyming and meter, while not required, would add an extra element of character to the composition. Some examples can be found at the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrostic

One variation of this form is the double acrostic, in which the first and last letters in the lines are used to spell out words.

Another version is the Abecedarian, in which each letter of the alphabet is used in sequence to begin a line of the poem.


ASSIGNMENT:

Write an acrostic about some acquaintance. (Since this is creative writing, you are free to interpret “acquaintance” as loosely as you choose. )

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SOURCES:

“Pleasures of Poetry” - a workshop created by Melody Gough for ed2go.com

“Creating Poetry” by John Drury

“Patterns of Poetry” by Miller Williams

http://www.poewar.com/30-poems-in-30-days-about-the-line/

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5767Glossary of Poetic Terms: http://www.poeticbyway.com/glossary.com

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If you have any questions about the lesson or the assignment, you may post them in the discussion forum or send me an e-mail.

Let the creativity flow from your soul!
Dave