how to write a poem that rhymes
Rhyme takes many different forms, follows different patterns, and is used in a wide variety of ways. It is most common in poetry, but there are examples to be found in prose.
By now you should know what Writing Style you want to use in your poem as well as the Tone want to use.
What are the rules for rhyming words?
Two words rhyme if their final stressed vowel and all following sounds are identical; two lines of poetry rhyme if their final strong positions are filled with rhyming words.
You can also place rhyming words within the same line for a quicker succession of rhymes. This is known as an internal rhyme scheme. Choose two words that rhyme or that have a rhyming syllable at the end and place them both in the same line in your poem.
Check out more Literary Techniques of Repetition here!
What is a rhyme scheme?
Lines designated with the same letter rhyme with each other. For example, the rhyme scheme ABAB means the first and third lines of a stanza, or the “A”s, rhyme with each other, and the second line rhymes with the fourth line, or the “B”s rhyme together.
Read more about Types of Poems here!
One of Poe’s best-loved poems, ‘Annabel Lee’ is a short, moving piece that taps into some of Poe’s most familiar themes. These include love, death, and the afterlife. Although not entirely made of sestets, the majority of the stanzas in ‘Annabel Lee’ follow this form. Here is the best known:
Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
In these lines, Poe follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABABCB, as is common in his poems. A reader can also take note of other techniques like alliteration, imagery, and repetition that make this stanza so memorable.
The first four stanzas use a AABB rhyme scheme in our poem below, whereas the last two verses the poet decided to get creative.
Example of a poem that rhymes
Poem by Alice Eaglefeather
Dante’s Paradise
‘Tis known by those who care to read
And those who follow the creed
That the wicked, from peasants to kings,
Because of their sins, go to one of the nine rings.
But that is not all ye ought to know
One must believe in what they sow
Never mind the world and its hurdles
Dante talked about far better circles
The realm in which the saved dwell
A most divine tale
Across the sky, in the center of the universe
Light years from all that is petty and perverse
Jump on Apollo’s back
Bring all the love ye can pack
Fly pass the Moon
Close thy eyes and feel in tune
Let thy heart sing with gratitude
And keep a positive attitude
For the stairs to heaven are paved by grace
In this place, old sins are washed away
Alas, watch out for those who the Lord betray
Charlatans looking for a quick pay
For true heresy is corruption.
Hypocrisy and corruption in the name of opulence
O, but they stand no chance!
For heaven condemns those who use the name of the Lord to prey
Claiming to know what the Lord desires
Liars! Abusing the faith of those who pray
Be it as it may
Faith, hope, and love is all heaven requires
You must be logged in to post a comment.