What is free verse poetry?

A free verse poem does not follow a certain form. Free verse poems are written without a specific rhyme scheme, meter, or rhythm. They are also not required to be a certain length and lines can be broken wherever the poet feels is most appropriate. Free verse poems often make use of enjambment, a technique used to split lines in unconventional ways (such as in the middle of a word). According to the Poetry Foundation, free verse poems “closely follow the natural rhythms of speech.” Much of the poetry published today is free verse. 

Walt Whitman is often regarded as the first writer to popularize free verse as a form. Read an example of his work below! 

Read more about free verse poetry on Poetry Foundation or on Poets.org 

Read more about enjambment on Oregon State University’s website. 

Why write free verse? 

Free verse is freeing! You can write any way you like, break lines wherever you decide, and end a poem whenever you want. Free verse is a great form to experiment with — choose a topic you’ve been meaning to try, play with the visual layout of your work, or listen more closely to how your writing sounds. 

What are some examples?

• Song of Myself by Walt Whitman (this is only the first 6 sections out of 52)
• Wedding Poem by Ross Gay
• The Charm of 5:30 by David Berman
• Howl by Allen Ginsburg 
• Glossary of What I’ll Miss by Sam Aikman

Things to try:  

• Consider the changes that have occurred in your life recently. Reflect on them in a free verse poem. 
• Do you have a favorite color? Write a free verse poem describing the color without naming it. 
• Think of a moment you were recently surprised by your joy. Write a free verse poem about it. 
• Visit one of your favorite places to write (museum, library, park, forest, front yard) and write a free verse poem about it. 
• Do you have a favorite free verse poem? Examine it closely: what makes it good, does it use enjambment, how does it start and end? Use your observations to write your own free verse poem inspired by it. Don’t forget to credit the author of your inspiration!

Header image: Teufelsberg Mural. Photo by Sam Aikman, YWP Intern

Workshop created by Sam Aikman, YWP Alumni Advisor