I just found a rather intriguing poem by Terrence Hayes called "The Golden Shovel". It's very intriguing in the way the sentences carry over into new lines and even new stanzas, and there seems to be a bit of a rhyme scheme in there somewhere. While I haven't put enough time or thought into the poem to work out it's meaning yet, it's still rather intriguing. Just thought I'd make a post here to hear other's thoughts on it.
Mmm - this does nothing to help my understanding of line breaks. It's almost as though he's simply broken the lines into similar lengths, regardless of how each ends. As for lines being broken between stanzas, who knows? I will say it reads quite awkwardly because of it, as I find myself making unnatural pauses.
I agree. I'm not sure what the decision making behind the line breaks was, and it rather confused me. Definitely doesn't help my understanding of modern poetry though.
WCW does something similar with his The Red Wheelbarrow, even breaking one word over a line, but at least here you can see the pattern and exactly why he did it. so much depends (3 words, 4 syllables) upon (1 word, 2 syllables) a red wheel (3 words, 3 syllables) barrow (1 word, 2 syllables) glazed with rain (3 words, 3 syllables) water (1 word, 2 syllables) beside the white (3 words, 4 syllables) chickens (1 word, 2 syllables) And because of its length it doesn't read awkwardly like the Terence Hays one.
Agreed, that's the kind of structure I enjoy in modern poetry. And while we don't seem to be able to find it, I assume there is some reason for the line breaks in the Golden Shovel as well (although it still reads a bit awkwardly).
I'm sure there is. I'm in no position to criticise Haye's poetry, but we can only speak as we find, can't we? Me too, and it worries me in a strange way because it makes me wonder if it's some part laziness. There's no denying short poetry is far more accessible, both to read and write.
Absolutely. I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand. What are you thinking might be part laziness, short poems, or poems without structure, or something else?
Yeah, I should have qualified as my comment could be seen as demeaning to short poetry. I enjoy short poetry, haiku included, because I find them easier to digest and easier to write. But I worry the latter fact is more than a contributing factor to why I like the format. I find writing long poetry mentally exhausting and ultimately unrewarding, both to read and write, but is it because I don't persevere? If I wasn't such a quitter in general it probably wouldn't worry me, but I know me. Of course I'm not suggesting good short poetry is easier to write, just that I find the process easier.
If that's what you like then I'd say write short poetry! And, while short poetry might, in some cases, take less time to write, I would say both short and long poems deserve respect, maybe just in different areas (well written ones at least).
