A matter of form

narrative verse

 

A matter of form

 

Consistency and symmetry

 combined with meter seem to be

Ingredients of good poetry.

Though modernists will disagree.

 

They take a different point of view.

 Convinced that anything will do

That writers need not follow rules

 and those who do they see as fools

 

 

Consider rhyming is a crime

 and meter just a waste of time.

But can this kind of writing last?

like that of poets from the past.

 

I don’t dispute they have the right

 to choose the way in which they write.

Poetic prose can be divine

 but not if it lacks discipline.

 

Your writing must be coherent.

A well established precedent

If what you write does not make sense.

What can be said in its defence?

 

If readers cannot comprehend

 the message which you try to send

Because your meaning is not plain.

Perhaps its time to think again.

 

And realise there must be rules.

A craftsman has to know his tools.

If he does not then he will fail

his efforts all to no avail.

 

Some readers will choose poetry

 and others prose preferably

It is your reader’s right to choose

 to read your writings or refuse.

 

If you don’t cater to their needs

 don’t be surprised if no one reads.

 If how you write is too obscure.

Then change your style. The only cure.

 

30/06/2009

 

http:// blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers

Reviews

[Muhammad]

This poem is right on. You can actually learn from it too if you're new to poetry :)