Hi, I have a few questions concerning poetry.
I know a few styles of poetry such as the Haiku. I can write these styles because they have an established number of lines and the syllable count each line should have.
I have very little experience writing poetry. I prefer writing stories.

I have a few questions which I need help with.
I don't want to go into details with stanzas because I know I will get confused.

A poem can have up to how many lines?

Does each line have to have the same syllable count?Or can it vary?
ex. A poem has 5 lines and each line has 3 syllables.
ex. A poem has 5 lines, the first two lines have 2 syllables and the last three have 5 syllables.

Does a good poem have a rhyme scheme?

Thanks to those who help!!

Hey Angel ^^ I'm Shina. I prefer writing stories too xD But it's important for a writer to know how to express their ideas and emotions in several different methods.

When it comes to good poetry, it doesn't always have to have a rhyme scheme or a limit on how many lines. In fact, you don't even need a rhyme scheme. You can have free form poetry where you just do stanza by stanza without any pattern or rhyming words.

examples:

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic50060.html

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic50094.html

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic50127.html

However there are poems that have rhyme schemes and number of line limits, like a sonnet.

A sonnet is a 14-line poem with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG


There are also couplets, a pair of lines of verse that rhyme.

For example:

True wit is nature to advantage distressed,
What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed.
— Alexander Pope

There are also poems where the last word in the second line rhymes with the last word of the forth line:

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic43736.html

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic44619.html

Remember to always choose meaning over rhyme when it comes to poetry. Sometimes when poets want to rhyme, they let it eat up their poem and then it ends up not making sense.

Don't be afraid of free form and making your own rhyme scheme. Sometimes you can rhyme here, and not rhyme in this stanza, and have single lines. Also, there's not really a limit xD There's some poetry out there that take up books.

Hope that Helps
-Shina

I'm not much of a poet myself, but I have dabbled in the area. Let's see what information I can concoct. ^^

*just noticed Angels' reply* Okay, let's see what new information I can concoct.

1. A poem can be however long you want or need it to be.

2. Nope. There's no limitations. It all depends on your style and how you want to express your idea.

3. Not at all! It can and it can't. It all depends on how and what you write.

The poem Beowulf was an uber long poem (called an epic poem). It had a rhyme scheme and now it's a famous literary piece! I say this 'cause a lot of people feel rhyming is a bit amateur, so don't think you're only allowed to do freeform. You can use any style and make it look good.

One thing you must remember is that poetry is used to express an idea. It plays around with words to tell the reader what it needs to tell and get the message to sink in.

The only other way to figure out poetry besides asking for tips is to read. Read, read, and read. Same with stories, you have to keep reading and be exposed to different styles and ideas. Luckily, you have an entire website here to help you with that. ^_~

Hope I helped a little bit. Angels did a fantastic job, so it's hard to top her. XD

Jabber, the One and Only!

I wrote this a while ago.

topic49623.html

Check it out!