by Allen Mccullar

Created on: June 27, 2008

A classic argument upon a classic subject. I vote a resounding NO. For many reasons, but I focus upon only three for the sake of expedience. The first being straight definition as many of the others who voted, "No" speak. In this I will allow them to speak for me. The second is that poetry was honed within the oral tradition. The third is FLOW AND CADENCE. Within the framework of any, maybe all, you will find some kind of rhythm which makes the poem easier to remember and speak.

If a poem cannot be easily spoken. It is not a poem. It may have many of the elements of poetry, but it is not. Poetic, certainly. Poetry...not.

Flow and cadence buttress the oral tradition. It is the combination of sound patterns that make poetry easier to read, speak and remember. If you look at the current "free verse", there is nothing to keep it together. It could just as easily been said using prose and probably understood by more. I challenge every single one of the writers of the "yes" voters to memorize twenty lines of their "free verse". See how hard it is to remember. Myself, I have several "free verse" poems of one hundred lines that I can rant out quick.

Remember, poetry is written to be spoken.

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