01-19-2026, 05:30 AM
We so often get the question on here "what's the difference between poetry and prose."
I think it's just as fair to ask what is the difference between poetry and music, or poetry and finger painting for that matter. The fact that poetry and prose are both presented in text is by necessity. Poetry is more than the written word and draws from music, drama, fine arts etc. in its delivery.
Rhyme and meter can tick many of the musical boxes, but, for me, line breaks, and punctuation are critical choices in painting the overall canvas. The same could be said for blank space.
On a side note. If anyone wants to improve their line breaks I highly recommend studying your fav stand up comedian. They call it timing. We call it line breaks.
I think it's just as fair to ask what is the difference between poetry and music, or poetry and finger painting for that matter. The fact that poetry and prose are both presented in text is by necessity. Poetry is more than the written word and draws from music, drama, fine arts etc. in its delivery.
Rhyme and meter can tick many of the musical boxes, but, for me, line breaks, and punctuation are critical choices in painting the overall canvas. The same could be said for blank space.
On a side note. If anyone wants to improve their line breaks I highly recommend studying your fav stand up comedian. They call it timing. We call it line breaks.