I'm curious why people think that the rhyming poem is the standard poem. Rhymes were used before the written word as a way to remember facts and important information such as the name of the new prince or the day that Goliath was defeated, etc. Of course, rhyming is used 99% of the time in popular/modern music, so I could see how the novice (or even veteran) might assume that a rhyming poem is the way to approach writing poetry. But I beg all would-be-poets to stop it.
As I said, rhyming was initially used as a way to remember. Arguably, in popular song, rhymes are used in a similar function: to remember complex/lengthy lyrical passages by putting them to a rhythm that flows and bounces from word to word with the same sounding last syllable. This makes sense in music.
But the modern day (would-be) poet needs to reach a certain maturity when it comes to the magnificent craft of arranging language as a means of expression (expressing whatever the hell they want to, of course; high art can and should grapple with the vulgar, sexual, insensitive lower brain). I humbly (but not singly) believe the process of rhyming is counter intuitive to way the artist's mind functions. When you try to find a word that rhymes with a previous phrase, obviously you are limiting your choice os vocabulary. But what's worse, you are demeaning the standing of your own work.
For most published poets (who are sadly not too celebrated or respected....or read), rhyming is not a function they utilize. My writing professor/mentor was the resident poet at the University of New Orleans, once the dean of the school I attend in California, and published close to a hundred poems. None of them have any resemblance to Dr. Suess, let alone Emily Dickenson. Google him: Richard Speakes.
But let me end with this: I do not want to take on the stance of the higher art snob, where all lower forms are trashy and irrelevant. And also not to mention the hundreds of classic poets/writers who did use a lot of rhyming in their works. My goal here is to persuade the would-be-poet to utilize their own vocabulary and inspiration and truly bring out their best of work. I assure you, your best work is not to be found by putting 'night' and 'might' at the end of two separate lines. When you think too hard as to what to rhyme a word with, you are distracting your self, and ultimately limiting your potential. Besides, to the trained reader and the veteran poet, your work will usually look like child's play.
Just something to consider. I hope a discussion might follow? I'm curious what you think.
-from a maturing poet/close reader in-training
