Poet tree

This column by Tom Radzienda, an instructor in poetry and culture at Srinakharinwirot University, aims to encourage your interest and develop your skill in creating poetry. Poetry is a combination of visualisation, observation, imagination and creative use of language. Discover your poetic side, too!

August 26, 2003

Poetic deduction

It is interesting to look closely at the structure of a poem and determine the rules and patterns that the poet uses to construct the poem. The language of a poem can be taken apart to deduce the internal structure of the poem. Judge whether the structure limits the potential of the poem, or if it creates energy and balance.

To write a poem following accepted patterns and rules will not necessarily give you a good poem. Similarly, to abandon all rules and patterns will not automatically give you a poor poem. While each generation of poets sets their own standards for poetic etiquette, each reader has their own personal evaluation of greatness in poetry.

In this poem by Shakespeare, you will discover a readily identifiable poetic form. Observe the patterns in the following sonnet.

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 94

1

They that have power to hurt and will do none,

A

2

That do not do the thing they most do show,

B

3

Who, moving others, art themselves as stone,

A

4

Unmoved, cold, and to temptation slow;

B

5

They rightly do inherit heaven’s graces

C

6

And husband nature’s riches from expense;

D

7

They are the lords and owners of their faces,

C

8

Others but stewards of their excellence.

D

9

The summer’s flower is to the summer sweet,

E

10

Though to itself it only live and die,

F

11

But if that flower with base infection meet,

E

12

The basest weed outbraves his dignity:

F

13

For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds;

G

14

Lilies that fester smell far worst than weeds.

G

The column on the right indicates the rhyme pattern of the 14-line Shakespearian Sonnet. The sonnet emphasises end rhyme, although Shakespeare is careful not to make all of his rhymes exact, for that would be too predictable.

Rhyme A is a near rhyme rather than a perfect rhyme. Rhymes B, E, and G are perfect end rhymes, meaning exact rhymes that occur in the last word of each line. Rhymes C and D are called feminine end rhymes because both syllables in the words rhyme.

F is the only one that doesn’t really rhyme and deviates from the pattern. Is this because Shakespeare couldn’t find a word to rhyme with “die”? More likely, he was satisfied with the alliteration of the /d/ sound that occurs in “die” and “dignity.” It’s also possible that pronunciation has changed since Shakespeare’s time.

He uses rhyme to emphasise meaning and give power to thought. He is careful to not let rhyme dominate the poem. Even without rhyme, this poem would stand as a classic example of great poetry. On the other hand, without insight, the poem would be merely pretty sounds.

Creative choice of words and thoughtfulness about human nature make Shakespeare one of the most timeless and respected poets in the English language. Many have followed his patterns, but few have met his grace.
Just rhyme?

The second clear pattern to observe in the sonnet is iambic pentameter. This means each line uses iambic meter (weak, strong, weak strong) as the dominant pattern. Pentameter refers to the measurement of five stress syllables per line. Identify the stressed syllables in each line to feel the balance and regularity of the poem. Sense the iambic “pulse” of his language.
Are rules and patterns necessary?

Although today the sonnet is considered traditional, it must have begun as an random or accidental arrangement. Very often, contemporary poets intentionally avoid such strict patterns. By the 20^th century, most traditional rules of poetry had been discarded. With poems by William Carlos Williams or Marianne Moore, you are unlikely to deduce any pattern at all. They departed from meter and rhyme in search of poetic spirit in the form of image or movement.

Each time you find an impressive poem, deduce the elements that make it powerful. Take any poem that you enjoy and analyse its rules. Be aware of line length, stress and rhyme patterns, images and other poetic techniques.
Make your Own Rules

Write some fresh rules about line length, rhyme or meter for your own poetry.

Your own Poetic Rules

1. Every sixth word rhymes

2.

3. Every line ends in a four-syllable word

4.

5. Begin each line with successive letters: a, b, c, etc.

6.

7. Rhyme the first words in each line

8.

9. Every line begins and ends with the /s/ sound

10.

11. Include images only of things that are red

12.

13. Put exactly four syllables in each line

14.

Try writing a poem for each of your rules and see how well you do. Share your poetry with readers of the Bangkok Post. Submit your completed poem along with your name, age and address to poet tree:

c/o Learning Post
Editorial Building
Bangkok Post Building
136 Na Ranong
Klongtoey 10110, Bangkok

You can send your poem by email. Mark the subject line: Poet Tree and send to this address: learningpost@bangkokpost.co.th

Visit Tom's poetry column at http://www.bangkokpost.com/poetry

Read other Poet tree columns here.

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