Letting the tool write the poem

[rayheinrich]

if the lines got feet the same they doff their caps to none

Do you really think a modern poem using a classic form should have each line capped? Hats make my head hurt.

This modern affectation of uncapitalizing the first letter of a line
to suit some fancied sense of practicality shall pass, as has the
conceit of uncapitalizing everything within reach*.

If you sincerely desire to increase a reader's comprehension,
I suggest you aim your furrowed brow at prose.

If it's good enough for Lord Byron**, it's good enough for me.


*Those of us who knowingly adopt this period style are hopeless romantics
and should be adjudged as such.

**Any missive containing the phrase "hopeless romantics" should, as a
matter of etiquette, mention Lord Byron.

[ellajam]

if the lines got feet the same they doff their caps to none

Do you really think a modern poem using a classic form should have each line capped? Hats make my head hurt.

This modern affectation of uncapitalizing the first letter of a line
to suit some fancied sense of practicality shall pass, as has the
conceit of uncapitalizing everything within reach*.

If you sincerely desire to increase a reader's comprehension,
I suggest you aim your furrowed brow at prose.

If it's good enough for Lord Byron**, it's good enough for me.


*Those of us who knowingly adopt this period style are hopeless romantics
and should be adjudged as such.

**Any missive containing the phrase "hopeless romantics" should, as a
matter of etiquette, mention Lord Byron.

That's an interesting response, I'm not sure why you think comprehension is for prose alone, but I'll think about it.

[rayheinrich]

I have never been bothered* by caps in formal poetry (although I am surprised to see them in free verse). It is surprising how much turmoil they cause. I know several excellent writers that prefer them in formal poetry.

And several of us others as well.


Uncapitalizeth this? Begone ye heretics.


She Walks in Beauty
                                Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night
  Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
  Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
  Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
  Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
  Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
  How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
  So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
  But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
  A heart whose love is innocent!




*In truth, neither am I. Writers should capitalize as the fit strikes.
As it stands, we've little enough choice, hold the shreds dear.

[ellajam]

I'm not about to criticize Shakespeare's meter either. As an amateur I've got a different set of goals for myself.

[rayheinrich]

That's an interesting response, I'm not sure why you think* comprehension is for prose alone, but I'll think about it.

The phrase "neither rhyme nor reason" comes to mind.
Some wag is always making fun of poetry's inconceivable logic.

The poetry I love has comprehensible, coherent levels of meaning.
That these meanings may be in conflict and lead to confusion is fine
with me, this makes for a complex and thought-provoking poem.
The key here, what separates a poem like this from illogical mush,
is in how well it conveys the meanings that are the basis of the conflict.


Of course I don't think about it; if I thought about it I'd run screaming.

[ellajam]

That's an interesting response, I'm not sure why you think* comprehension is for prose alone, but I'll think about it.

The phrase "neither rhyme nor reason" comes to mind.
Some wag is always making fun of poetry's inconceivable logic.

The poetry I love has comprehensible, coherent levels of meaning.
That these meanings may be in conflict and lead to confusion is fine
with me, this makes for a complex and thought-provoking poem.
The key here, what separates a poem like this from illogical mush,
is in how well it conveys the meanings that are the basis of the conflict.


Of course I don't think about it; if I thought about it I'd run screaming.

I think about it. I'm just learning, I think about this stuff til my head swims.

[rayheinrich]

I think about it. I'm just learning, I think about this stuff til my head swims.

Maybe you're holding your head in the wrong position:

[ellajam]

Well, I'm still sitting at it's a choice, but I'm also still amazed when writers blame their devices. Do what you want, but do what you want, not what some non-poet decided you should do.

[ellajam]

If your poem looks like this when you press edit or reply

[color=#000000 ][size=medium ]poem [/size ][/color ]
[color=#000000 ][size=medium ] [/size ][/color ]
[color=#000000 ][size=medium ]poem [/size ][/color ]
[color=#000000 ][size=medium ]poem [/size ][/color ]
[color=#000000 ][size=medium ]more poem [/size ][/color ]
[color=#000000 ][size=medium ]more poem [/size ][/color ]

you might want to consider pasting it into some sort of note pad and then onto the site. All that code means nothing and makes the poem more difficult to quote for an in-line critique. Just saying.