When I write a poem, I tend to set "rules" for myself for that poem. Whether it is the form or meter I see and hear or a rhyme pattern that is strict or "off-kilter" I abide by that and don't stray from it (if I do, I don't consider it good work, or I hammer away at it until it conforms.) I'm quite certain these aren't actual rules and any given poem I would write would have it's own set, to be determined while writing.
I suppose these are set in my mind as the only way a particular piece can be written and it is part of the inspiration. Form comes with the idea for me.
I'm curious if other writers do this. So...
1)do you let the poem's theme dictate the form it takes?
2)do you create rules for yourself - if the first two lines seem to follow a pattern, rhythm, or rhyme do you make sure the rest of the piece follows that same pattern or do you let the work take shape and then go back and fix form, measure, etc?
3)how much of the "story" conveyed in the poem is a result of the form of it?
4)do you consider the form you have set out for a particular poem to be a)as important as theme b)supporting theme c)a side effect of theme d)an important mechanic that conveys theme d) doesn't matter because the poem's meaning is the same no matter the form it takes.
wow...that was a lot. Please don't feel oblilgated to answer each of those, I just threw them out for discussion on the topic. I am just curious how much theme dictates form, form dictates theme/feel, and how much (even in a "free form") we set rules for ourselves. Does form shape the poem or does the theme provide the essential form?
discuss...
THANKS!
T.
I suppose these are set in my mind as the only way a particular piece can be written and it is part of the inspiration. Form comes with the idea for me.
I'm curious if other writers do this. So...
1)do you let the poem's theme dictate the form it takes?
2)do you create rules for yourself - if the first two lines seem to follow a pattern, rhythm, or rhyme do you make sure the rest of the piece follows that same pattern or do you let the work take shape and then go back and fix form, measure, etc?
3)how much of the "story" conveyed in the poem is a result of the form of it?
4)do you consider the form you have set out for a particular poem to be a)as important as theme b)supporting theme c)a side effect of theme d)an important mechanic that conveys theme d) doesn't matter because the poem's meaning is the same no matter the form it takes.
wow...that was a lot. Please don't feel oblilgated to answer each of those, I just threw them out for discussion on the topic. I am just curious how much theme dictates form, form dictates theme/feel, and how much (even in a "free form") we set rules for ourselves. Does form shape the poem or does the theme provide the essential form?
discuss...
THANKS!
T.