I think its fair to say that there are many different opinions on why people write in the style that they do, but I think it all comes down to what the individual is comfortable with.I believe that every topic of every poem weather classic or freeform is a puzzle of words just waiting to be put together in a way that does the intended topic justice.I also like the idea of writing in the different styles since I am ignorant to other forms and would like to learn them.

I write mainly for myself at first. Then, when I'm happy with a write, I'm glad to show it to anyone who cares to read it, and receive any suggestions and critiques. I'm not sure why this matters to the next question.

I write mainly rhyming, metered poems because that's what I prefer. I think some poets, but not many, choose to write in freeform because they find it easier. As others have mentioned, fashions change. To some extent it's just a cycle. Also, people have been writing rhyming and metered poems for milleniae, and have recited them for an even longer time. I think Cryptic Bard has a big part of the answer, freeform makes it easier not to repeat what's already been done. That doesn't mean it's easier to write a good poem. "Bad" freeform and "good" freeform are just as "bad" or "good" as "bad"structured writes and "good" structured writes. (Of course not everyone shares my view of "good" or "bad".)

I'm presently working on some writes that were originally rhyming and very structured, for which I felt that I had a great concept but with a horrible result. I was forcing the rhyme and meter, resulting in atrocious imagery. As I rewrite them to freeform or blank verse, the goals I set are different but no less challenging. I try to have the strongest imagery possible, without bothering to rhyme, and sometimes count syllables, but while still doing something with a musical quality.

So, to answer your question. I mostly write in rhyming, metered verse because I have a preference for it. The starting point for many of my writes is a few lines that rhyme, and I work from there. I think this stems from much of my inspiration coming from music, my taste for rhyme, and my classical music background. Sometimes I write freeform because I feel like doing something different. Sometimes it's a way for me to try and save a good idea.

Can anyone recite a poem, right now, in freeform - from memory?
I bet we can all recite classical poetry from the old masters.
Rhyme and metre are the two nails that poems hang from on the inside of your head. They are set out along the corridors of your memory and hang clear of the detritus on the floor.

Ian

and to me it brings it back to who we write for.
Memorization was, repeat WAS, a function of poetry but not any more. Who amongst us doesn't recognise the lines
" This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper. "
"The Hollow Men" is freeform at it's astounding best, and that is the keyword for me, astounding. It is no longer our function to be memorised like the 10 times table, we, as my signature says, and is printed on the Neopoet T shirts ...

Danny Kaye sang the song in the film;

"The king is in the altogether and alltogether he's naked as the day that he was born "
Anyway, guys, the art world has shot itself in the foot so often in the past century it is a wonder that anyone pays any attention to the pundits and style-setters.
Write what you feel you must, and do it as best as you can.

Ian

The Hollow Men ~ T S Eliot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwcP3NOCeiE SpokenVerse

and informative forum with a bit more vigour and gusto.

Yes, I do think there is an adversarial element here and yes I come down firmly on the side of free verse.

Both inexperienced and more experienced poets can express themselves more vividly, freely, memorably (not necessarily memorisably) and originally in free verse without the severe pitfalls of cliche and mangling language for rhyme and meter inherent in classic forms.

I would encourage everyone to experiment with classic forms to hone your word-crafting skills, to be able to use those skills where appropriate to convey meaning and impact, to challenge your reader, make them think, feel, do. Rather than just paint a pastoral or love-cliched watercolour. We need to ask ourselves why do we write? What effect/affect do we want to have on our readers? Do we care?

In the terminology of Marshall Macluhan poetry is the "hottest" or most participatory of all media as opposed to television, the "coldest" and most passive. The mere existence of poetry is questioned in a world of cold, passive media so I say let's make every word count! Kick 'em in the groin and make 'em think about why you did it.

We are grown-ups and the last thing we need is lullabies or Hallmark.
What we and the world needs is, as Salman Rushdie put it
"A poet's work,
to name the unnameable,
to point at frauds,
to take sides,
start arguments,
shape the world
and stop it going to sleep"
[this quote is on the Neopoet Tshirt]

Free verse I think may be a modernism thing brought about with the 50's and their predisposition to Beat poetry and messages being the subliminal result of that. Indeed Bukowski himself wrote more reality than most yet it related to people at the time and I think free verse tends to lend itself to raw, realism and of course the spoken word. Read aloud by the person who has lived the poem or at least has seen in reality what the poem is about brings about an emotional response from people. I admit that rhyme can also be beautiful but it's not as easy to steer away from cliche in rhyme as it is in free verse. Both have their place, it comes down to a personal preference and how you feel comfortable writing yourself.

I can see you will be a valuable member of this site, the comments of yours I've read have been thoughtful and intelligent. Are you an old member returning under a new name? Just wondering. I'm another Aussie and will read your poems soon. I notice you've posted a lot in the last couple of days, that's fine for a new member, you haven't gone over the top, but we do try to restrict ourselves to one poem a day, to give everyone a chance to read and review thoughtfully.

My last post on this blog came down on the side of freeform, but, as I said, it does not exclude or deride classical forms. That would be just dumb prejudice. As jonathon said, to exclude any genre or form is to ignore the brilliance that can be achieved within ANY form.

I think these questions here are crucial. And too seldom asked. Why do we write? What effect/affect do we want to have on our readers? Do we care?

One thing for everyone who attempts meter is that is NOT about syllable counting, one really needs to hear the words out loud, several un-stressed syllables can often count for a single foot of meter.

as usual. Really late! however, now that I am here... I have written free-form when the mood strikes me, and most people know that my main form is rhyme. I have also written a sonnet just recently. A Spencerian sonnet to be exact. I have been told that it was good. It was hard! I agree with Xena about we should write in whatever form floats our boats. To answer Stan's question; I write mostly rhyme because that's what floats my boat. I feel the cadence, the rhythm and it sets my mind to rolling along.
I love a play on words, and sometimes use that along with rhyme when I can. Free form just comes to me at times and I never know just when it will be. That is my answer to the question! ~ Geezer

an interesting question. For me, it isn't restictive. As a matter of fact it seems that it is the least restrictive. All the others that you mention, have rules that are sometimes puzzling and hard to follow. I do enjoy Haiku because I seem to be able to understand the rules better than some. Glad to see that you are still checking in on this once in awhile. ~ Gee

so I since then 7 decades
have composed freely
wished others too
to follow
who
no not me but their freedom
if any
sorry stan

I write mainly for myself in the sense of thinking and feeling through experiences. I wouldn't write, for example, a poem commemorating a new bridge if I didn't want to explore the experience. I write for others in the sense of trying to share that experience with others. I suppose the product is for everyone but the journey is for myself.

I may have answered this 10 years ago. If so, it will be interesting to see if my perspective has changed.

I don't know that making things easier to read or write was a goal. I think it is a human desire to want to do something different, to break free from some perceived chain. I write in both structured and free verse. Sometimes I write in structured verse from pure desire and other times, I do it to practice a skill exemplified in that structure. I come from a music background and sometimes you play Chopin to play Chopin and sometimes you play him to practice pedaling.

I think one of the toughest tasks in poetry is to think about your topic, your intended impact, and then choose the structure that fits best. I remember once reading that the sonnet's structure was like bars that restrained the passionate content within, giving the impression of a heart bursting. I wonder if the issue is really structure vs free verse as much as it is thoughtful planning vs. writing whatever comes to mind as it comes to mind.

A lot of popular rhyming poetry is found in children's books.
Could it be the reason rhyming poetry is considered childish by some people? It certainly makes the poem more interesting for children and easier to remember.
When Seuss was writing "Cat in the Hat", could it be that some literary group thought "Yikes! We certainly don't want our writing associated with THAT! Our work is serious!"
Or when Leer was writing silly limericks, did someone think.."hmm, quite novel, but literary nonsense. I will write something that takes true discipline to remember."

I will likely never recall free form pieces because there is no discernible pattern, almost like learning a language. Perhaps that was the original argument for free verse- because it is harder to absorb, that it takes much more discipline to recall the piece? I think not, but it is plausible.

Anyway, nowadays making something memorable and relatable has become even easier. Take one thought or sentence, break it into lines, and voila! An easily digestible and memorable neuropathic spark that can be cherished for at least ten minutes, or until you can untangle puberty.

I occasionally read (free verse) that has very beautiful lines, and like Tam the Chanter argued, could have been made truly memorable by applying discipline to transform it into a structured and rhyming form.

I think it all boils down to personal opinion/ preference, but my gut tells me that free verse, free form, whatever; is not laziness per se, but lacking in the discipline that it takes to write structured, rhyming work.

Thomas

to answer your original question "why is free form more prevalent today" I have spent some of this time studying different forms of poetry and relative criticisms, weighing the merits of each, and I must opine that "the trend is leaning on lack of interest to gain the needed education and experience to bring the carrots, bouillon and meat together to create the best stew you can."
That's kinda the reason I joined here at first. It's about improving our own poetry as much as improving poetry in general as a community.
Looking at the state of "mass poetry" in general, I'd have to say it's seen better days.

Thomas

I find myself with tears in my eyes, from sadness of people gone but still much missed, and gratitude, for their criticism, their sometimes brutal opinions, and how all of them helped me become a decent poet.

It doesn't really matter if you write rhyming or freeform poetry. I do both, because one form helps to make the other stronger and more meaningfull to the audiance. Even if that audience is only yourself. What matters is that it's GOOD poetry, poetry that evokes something beautiful, terrifying, magical or timeless, in another person. LOL that list goes on and on. Without that, we might as well just pack our bags and walk away.

the same for me.

I see a leaf pressed between the leaves of a book
Fallen leaves, that fell from trees
I remember those poets and the lines it took
To bring me ideas, and me to my knees

To keen at the grave of friends gone by
Hear the piece of life they tried to tell
To listen for the truth in a wistful sigh
See the glisten of a tear in a wish for health

Some see it, some don't, I speak of truth
Wishing doesn't make it true, neither does memory
You cannot force a man to think of empathy
It just is...
~ Geezer.
.

did u mean 2011
now its the NORM
just cough out like venom
and call it
essence