Free Verse Poems

Free Verse Poems

HOW TO WRITE A FREE VERSE POEM

What is it? 

A free verse poem (or blank verse poem) doesn’t follow any specific guidelines, the way a haiku or cinquain does. Instead, you can let your thoughts run wild so that the words on the page read more like a conversation or story.

Wait, isn’t that kind of hard?

 Since free verse poems have no set structure, it’s up to you to make the poem sound great without rhyming or any type of pattern. Don’t worry if your poem sounds different than most poems you’re used to reading — Dr. Seuss is lots of fun, but rhyming isn’t for everyone. Your poem is unique and a reflection of you. Our lives don’t follow flawless patterns, and your poetry doesn’t have to either.

So how does it start?

 First, settle on a theme or event you’d like to write about. Try to set the scene in your head and go from there. Then write down some key words that relate to your story. Since you don’t need to worry about matching up words and rhyming them, you should be able to incorporate most of these words in your poem. 

Use the Five Senses. 

To bring life to your free verse poem, focus on incorporating the five senses into your poem; devote one line to each sense, or sprinkle them throughout. Using imagery and descriptive language will help the reader understand what scene or emotion your poem illustrates.

The Playground

Where to go,where to start?
Sit and kick.Back forth back forth.
Climbing higher,
Higher,Higher,
Toes touching the sky!
Muster courage,
Now?Now?
Now, jump!Up steps,
Down slide,
Speeding for a second.Jump up,
Grab the bar.
Left hand, right hand, left hand, right hand,
Done!