The Masque of the Free Verse

If I but write, then
simply break the lines
at random points
I know what will appear to some;
forget the meter and
the rhymes: 'twill be a poem I create,
I swear!
Decide to not decide:
'tis chooser's choice to choose
(and also not!)
unfettered form, while
unseen Muses sing
in structured voice and
guide your every word to meet
the norm.
A river's power
f
a
l
l
s
within its banks,
without which
all that water's nothing more than
teardrops
c
r
i
e
d
into the sea
give thanks:
all poems have
a form you can'tignore.
So choose with formless freedom
now to write:
your poems flow
(you think)
by their
own
might!



When the mask is removed, an English sonnet is seen:

If I but write, then simply break the lines
At random points, I know what will appear
To some; forget the meter and the rhymes:
‘Twill be a poem I create, I swear!
Decide to not decide: ‘tis chooser’s choice
To choose (and also not!) unfettered form,
While unseen Muses sing in structured voice
And guide your every word to meet the norm.
A river’s power falls within its banks,
Without which all that water’s nothing more
Than teardrops cried into the sea; give thanks:
All poems have a form you can’t ignore.
So chose with formless freedom now to write:
Your poems flow (you think) by their own might!

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Email: Tom Loper