The Free Verse Line [Sharon Bryan]
Introductory | For centuries the poetic line was defined by meter, but early in the 20th century poets began to look for rhythms that would better convey American speech. Free verse is any poem not written in meter. If you’re writing in free verse, how do you create rhythm? We’ll begin by looking at metrical lines; students will try those before turning to free verse. Write new poems or bring poems to revise. Required text: The Art of the Poetic Line by James Longenbach.