A Poem Without Rhyme

Is a poem still a poem

If it does not rhyme?

On the one hand, I am very tempted to say no.

If a poem doesn’t have any rhyming in it,

All you would have to do to write one

Is write some rambling prose

And then organize that

Into a series of lines

To get the most

Drama from

Every

Single

Word.

On the other hand,

I still want to say yes.

There must be some ideas,

Feelings,

And experiences

That rhyme and rhythm would undermine.

Example:

Some would consider it

Poetical abuse

If Robert Frost always tried

To write like Doctor Suess.

If it does not rhyme,

Is it still a poem?

It’s a tough choice to make.

A choice I will make

When I am a better poet.