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To Rhyme Or Not To Rhyme

They say that rhyme is out of time With what's in vogue today. Rhythmic flow has lost its charm And verse has lost its way. I think about Maud Muller's spring: The frenzied ride of Paul Revere. And Poe who lies there slowly turning, In his moldy grave . . I fear. Then comes a harsh and angry bellow, Rhyming with the name Longfellow. Lest we forget his young maiden’s plight, Lashed to that mast on a cold winter night. I love old tales once told in rhyme: Those odes that won’t grow old with time. They tease my brain with ticklish thought: Can leave me laughing . . or maybe naught. So I will choose “the road less traveled,” At least throughout this dwindling day. Receiving scant acclaim from fellows, Nor reaping high and lofty praise. But rather as my heartstrings dictate, Exempt from modern poetic climes. I’ll tell my tales as those before me, With guileless words bedecked in rhyme. © 2015 Diane Lefebvre

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Paul Callus

Date: 5/15/2015 9:15:00 AM

Hi Diane! What a lovely poem to introduce yourself with on Soup! Like you, I have a soft spot for rhyme, and though I also appreciate free verse, I cannot imagine poetry void of good rhyme. // All the best. // paul

Diane Lefebvre
Date: 5/18/2015 9:24:00 PM

Hello Paul, Thank you so much for you lovely praise. I write almost entirely in rhyme. Just do not seem to do very well in free verse, etc. I think it goes back to the era I went to school in! Long, long ago. Best regards, Diane

Neva Romaine

Date: 3/10/2015 9:39:00 AM

Hey Diane, welcome to Poetry Soup and I thank you for this wonderful tribute to Rhyme. I myself have been much inspired by some of these great poets you mention and I don't know how this art form has been so overtaken. I love your passionate expression for Rhyme and am a kindred spirit. Thanks for reminding us all of what poetry is really about. Well done!! Be Blessed, Neva

Diane Lefebvre
Date: 3/11/2015 10:43:00 AM

Thank you kindly for you comments, Neva. I have asked myself time and time again why good rhyme in poetry, for the most part, is no longer desired or appreciated? Perhaps it goes back to what we are exposed to in our educational institutions of today. I was in high school in the decade oh the fifties: a far different experience academically, than the young person of this era is experiencing.

Reason A. Poteet

Date: 3/9/2015 8:53:00 PM

Enjoyed this, Diane. Welcome to P.S. There is no valid comparison between the classics and today's free verse. Rhyme Zone (the site) put on a contest recently promoting poetry. They offered ten prizes, no placement, just ten winning entries. Out of 3500 or so entries, I could not believe that 8 out of the 10 winners were free verse, no rhyme at all. You'd think Rhyme Zone would have told the judges that rhyme is what they are all about. Very disappointed in the contest very pleased with your piece here.

Diane Lefebvre
Date: 3/11/2015 11:06:00 AM

First and foremost I must thank you for your kind praise and warm welcome to PS. I think perhaps for the overwhelming majority, prose is the manner in which they are most comfortable expressing their innermost thoughts and feelings and it stands to reason popularity would follow. My exposure to poetry came many years ago, through a high school teacher, no longer young herself, who introduced her classes to the poets of yesteryear and from here the love affair began.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/7/2015 12:11:00 PM

- Welcome to P Soup, with your first poem Diane - Always nice to meet new "poets" - I look forward to more write from you in the future - Happy weekend :) - Anne-Lise (Norway)

Diane Lefebvre
Date: 3/8/2015 11:24:00 AM

Thank you so much for your kind encouragement, Anne Lise. I have had some nice comments and this is very much appreciated!

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 3/6/2015 3:19:00 AM

DIANE, A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you have fun with this wonderful community. You'll find many friendly poets who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I want to be the first to invite you on over to the contest page. I OFFER MY CONTEST in hopes it inspires you in some way. I will enjoy following you and your poetry:) We are Lucky To Have you. Enjoy 2015, with New Poet Friends @-> LINDA <-@

Diane Lefebvre
Date: 3/6/2015 7:43:00 AM

Nice warm welcomes are most appreciated and I must say; I am impressed with this site. Love that the poets of old, along with their many works are here at my fingertips, not to mention the countless poetic pieces of this era. Thanks for your comments.

David Furlong

Date: 3/3/2015 12:31:00 AM

Brilliant :)... I love this poem Diane as it touches sentiments close to my own heart. If you read some of my poems I think you will see why. I have come to appreciate free verse but there is nothing quite like the beautiful rhythms and rhymes of some of the poems you mention.

Diane Lefebvre
Date: 3/3/2015 9:32:00 AM

Thank you so much, David. I took the time to read all of your pieces. (How could I not, once I had started?) WOW! Wonderful. You are the personification of what this piece of mine is about. It would take a whole array of adjectives to describe each one, so lets just leave it that you are the first name on my favorite poet's list.