Free Verse Ayyyyyy

Before reading the chapter on Free Verse, I was completely convinced that I had been a pro at free verse. Whenever handed the task of writing a free verse poem, I accepted graciously and began writing…freely, and without care. However, reading Oliver’s rendition on free verse I learned that there is a little more to it than writing whatever I feel like writing about. While Oliver makes clear that there isn’t a particular rhythm, design, tone, etc. that must be used in every free verse poem, there must be some incorporation of the traditional poem features. Considering that there aren’t any set rules when it comes to the literal structure of the poem, Oliver is sure to include that there must be some sort of premise/explanation mentioned in the poem near the beginning which, by the end of the poem, is thoroughly explained and clear to the reader. Essentially, every free verse poem must maintain the same idea and focus throughout. Throughout the chapter, Oliver is sure to remind the reader that there really is not a particular way to write a free verse poem. While it is free from the rules of the traditional poetry including metrical prose, it may choose to incorporate a meter somehow; or should I say the poet may choose to. Any free verse poem can be accomplished if the poet so happens to accomplish setting up a premise and explaining it throughout. This poet can also accomplish free verse by writing through their own rhythm that doesn’t necessarily have to be like any other written form. It’s incredible that while free verse is free of restraints other forms of poetry are confined to, it is still bound by having some sort of rhythm and complex structure, thus making it poetry and not just words scrambled on paper.