The first rule of poetry is, if you’re not following a specific form of poetry, then there are no unbreakable rules.
As writers, we are taught to respect the rules of grammar, for they are the foundations that lend structure and clarity to our writing, helping us to more effectively communicate with our readers. We all strive for perfection in our writing, aptly placing periods and commas in their designated spaces, paying homage to proper grammar, capitalizing in all the right places, but how does that leave room for an artist’s true expression? We are artists first; being scholars, while important, is secondary.
When writing poetry, punctuation becomes but one of your tools of expression, so use it any way you desire, depending on what you are trying to achieve with your poem, naturally. Poetry, unlike prose, should be an outpouring of emotion that comes directly from the soul, so you decide how you want it to ebb and flow. Think of your poem as a river flowing freely. Now think of punctuation as the rocks that sometimes slow the flow of water or the bends and curves that help shape the river. That is what punctuation does in poetry; it shapes the tone and flow of the overall poem, as well as creating some sort of pace and if used correctly, it can add aesthetic elements to your work.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this, while some poets feel that punctuation is important, others argue that it sometimes disrupts the flow of thought in poetry. Personally, I think that there are no hard and fast rules, it depends on the individual piece and what the poet is trying to convey with it.
Poetry is a form of art and as such, poets should enjoy the same freedom any other artist does. It is about creativity and expressing emotion, your creativity and expression, so feel free to paint outside of the lines whenever you need to. If it works, it works. If it bombs, then you would have learnt something.
That said; please do not misinterpret what I am trying to say here. You cannot write a poem with blatant disregard of the rules because you are lazy, you don’t have a good grasp on proper grammar or even just for the sake of being rebellious – those would be all the wrong reasons. You need to understand the proper use of grammar before you can enjoy the freedom to bend, break or even throw out the rules – in other words, only defy convention with purpose.
Always remember that poetry should be ‘heard’, so your ‘voice’ has to be true and strong. Do not break any rules that will distract your reader, only do it if it will enhance the flow or lend authenticity to your images. Feel free to play around with grammar and punctuation, but do not do it carelessly. If you are going to step outside of the box because you are unsure of or ignorant of the proper rules, rather than for creative freedom, then your lack of knowledge will show in your work. I take my proverbial hat off to any poet who can effectively break the rules for the sake of art and creativity every bit as much as I admire and respect poets who manage to craft a perfect poem within the confines of verse and meter.
Many poets have tried to be literary anarchists and failed miserably. Then there are those who have successfully skirted the rules with success. The best example of a literary anarchist would be ee cummings – his work has inspired me to experiment with my own writing, so needless to say, I went through a phase where I wrote some pretty darn awful poems, but thankfully I’ve learnt from those mistakes. When reading his poetry, it could mislead one into thinking that he avoids punctuation because he has no understanding of proper grammar, but I would strongly disagree.
Let’s look at his poem, “anyone lived in a little how town”. Not only does he ignore all punctuation, he also alters the conventional structure of a sentence and uses capitals in what at first glance seems a random manner, but in reality, are not misplaced at all. If someone were to edit this poem and add proper grammar, syntax and punctuation, it would disturb both the flow and the true meaning of what he is trying to convey – that would be nothing short of tragic. Bottom line when it comes to his poems – they work.
anyone lived in a pretty how town
by e.e. cummings
anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did
Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain
children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more
when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her
someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream
stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)
one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was
all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.
Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain
