Rules of poetry?

[Mellowxyellow]

Hi all,

I'm new to this website, so please forgive me if this question has been answered before. I have had a lot of discussions with peers and colleagues before and was wondering what other inputs might be. So the question is, does poetry have rules? I myself, like to write from the top of my head. I write how I see it in my mind, and how I read it to myself. To me, I write lyrically with emotion. Sometimes I do follow basic structure; for example limericks and sonnets, haikus, etc. However, at times, I find myself breaking grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules. It might seem like a stupid question, but I've had all kinds of opinions from both viewpoints. What is yours? =]

[connorjaycolebrook]

I'd say it's important to learn rules before you break them, but at the same time, good is good and bad is bad. Following a rule doesn't really make something better you know? If you want to know what makes good poetry the short answer is: read as much poetry as you humanly can.

...also live regular life. Take chances. Scare yourself. Surprise yourself. Don't settle for being comfortable.
Following the rules of something as open ended as poetry is really the least of your worries.

[Nathrad Sheare]

Make it interesting. If, by the end of your poem, I'm not yawning, you've successfully applied the cardinal rule.

[Madcap Syzygii]

Ever heard of the horror movie called, "Attack of the Adjective?" Well, you probably haven't because it is in a private collection of mine, but that movie is about people using adjectives too much in their work, and they take over poetry by eating up the art of writing! They destroy and cheapen poetry, kind of like in zombie movies, when they try to take over the world and their only food is human flesh? Yeah, adjectives are horrible in poetry, or anything for that matter. But! There are some adjectives that can sometimes be used when they are needed. ONLY when they are needed. Kind of like that movie "Warm Bodies." Good adjective, good zombie? Huh? HUH? Great stuff there. Hang in there...I'm still learnin too.

[Nathrad Sheare]

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!