Romantic Poetry- Free Verse Style

In this post we will delve into the world of free verse, only because free verse is easier to explain than rhyming poetry.

The biggest mistake people make when writing free verse is they fail to set a tone or mood right of the bat. Effective romantic free verse needs to capture the reader with the first line and each line should leave them wanting more. Think of it as a story... you want to capture the audience and build the suspense or feeling until it reaches a crescendo or peak and then slowly ease out and let them savour the emotions you have built in them. Below I have two beginnings to a free flow poem, one very good and one not so good. You will see what I mean from these examples...

I love you. But then I have always loved you.

From the very first time I saw you it was as if the world stood still

as to let me breathe you in.

The first line states the purpose and in an obvious fashion... like it is an afterthought. The poem will go on to explain the depths of that feeling but notice how the second line builds on the first. This is a very good beginning to a passionate poem.

I love you, you stir feelings in me that I cannot describe

I think that we were meant to be together forever, because I cannot imagine loving anyone else.

While this portrays a feeling, it is merely a statement of fact. The first line states the purpose but the second line does nothing to build on the first line, it is simply another statement, and that is not what good poetry is. Now if we follow the format of the first example we can change the mood completely

I love you.

I will try to find the words to make you understandwhat my heart feels when you are near,

and you are always near.

To love you is as natural to me as to breathe, and I cannot imagine my heart without you

As in the first example the second line builds on the first... it is not just a statement of fact but more an elaboration of the feeling