Some people believe that poetry should rhyme. Others prefer free verse, where the poet is not tied to a regular rhyme scheme.
But rhyme is more complicated than matching the last few letters of two words.
For example, "blue" and "through" rhyme perfectly, even though their spelling is very different.
Meanwhile, "love" and "move" look as though they should rhyme, but don't sound alike in ordinary English pronunciation.
And here's something especially interesting: two words can rhyme in one regional accent but not another!
Poets also use imperfect rhymes, internal rhymes and elaborate sound patterns that are not immediately obvious when reading the words on a page.
Traditional nursery rhymes, ballads, sonnets and modern rap all demonstrate different ways to create these effects.
A Few Questions Worth Discussing
- Do you think a poem needs to rhyme, or can free verse be just as effective?
- Do you prefer obvious perfect rhymes or less predictable, imperfect ones?
- Have you ever found a poem that rhymes in your accent but not in somebody else's?
- Does a strict rhyme scheme make poetry more memorable, or can it make the writing sound forced?
- Do you consider the sophisticated rhymes found in rap to be poetry?
- Have you tried writing rhyming poetry yourself? What did you find most difficult?
- Can you share a favourite short example of a clever rhyme without reproducing lengthy copyrighted lyrics or poems?
What Makes a Poem Rhyme? - Songs And Poems
I'd particularly welcome contributions from people who speak different languages.
Do rhyme and rhythm work differently in your own language or regional tradition?
All respectful opinions and examples are welcome.