Toe in the Water

Formal Thoughts

Formal Thoughts

It seems to me that there are almost as many poetic forms as there are poets. Just today I came across a little poem with an explanation of the form afterwards that was three times as long as the poem itself.

Far be it from me to criticise form poetry (which is why I did not review the poem) but I have to admit that I cannot see the point. To me, form poetry seems a way to enter a race having handicapped oneself by tying your shoe laces together. That may be an interesting exercise if your name is Usain Bolt but, to us mere mortals, it must be an unnecessary stumbling block.

I suppose it is commendable that so many of us are prepared to aim as high as William Shakespeare and the like. But these days, I am content if I can even get within sight of such as Dylan Thomas, T.S. Eliot and e.e. cummings.

Maybe I’ll change my handle to b.e. holden.


Word Count: 170