Expanding to Freeverse

What is a Free-Verse Poem?

A free verse poem is just a bunch of line spaces.  There could be more to it, but there doesn’t have to be.  Just take any text, break up the lines so they look funky, and you have yourself a free verse poem.  Some people might tell you there’s more to it, but that’s just because they’re jealous.

Example: A free verse poem is just a bunch of line spaces.  There could be more to it, but there doesn’t have             to                         be.  Just take any text,                         break up             the lines                         so they look funky, and you have yourself a             free verse poem.  Some people might tell you there’s more to it, but that’s just because they’re jealous.

 From Haiku to Freeverse:

First take a look at your Haiku...

            By the Southern Shore,

            towering above the clouds,

            blocked by urban sprawl

Think about what really matters there, and touch on those ideas.  Describe them to their fullest.  Paint a picture of what you see in your mind, when you think o that object, and force that picture into the mind of your readers.

Southern Shore

Towering above the clouds

the southern sentinel

guards the harbour

sending off feelings of goodwill

            and spirit

to all those passing beneath its

nocturnal luminescence.

Cascading lights travel high

before falling back to earth

where neck-strained tourists gaze upon

a tower created by a company

long forgotten.

Canadian, and National -

Once helicopters dropped the final pieces

slowly into place.

Now it is the X marking the spot

for those on route

to enjoy the summer past time.

Visible to all who live, wrapped in the luxury

of high priced, condo living.

Blocked to those

standing lonely

in the West.

Note:

The poem still talks about the C.N. tower - it’s just a bit longer.  There’s a bit more description going on.  The idea is to take what you know and what you feel and put it out there for others to appreciate.

Assignment:

Take one (1) of your Haikus and convert it into a Free-Verse poem.