Must poetry rhyme? [Discussion]

[MyOwnBestCritic]

Personally, I prefer poetry that has rhyme and meter, although I don't think it's absolutely necessary. If the meter (at least) is consistent, I can read it smoothly and clearly, and rhyme helps.

Do you need rhyme? Meter? Both, or none?  

[sayaandtenshi]

Technically it needs neither and can still be a poem but most people prefer it to have rhyme or meter and sometimes both. I prefer rhyme over anything but can do with almost any kind of poem...except I don't prefer Haikus.  

[Patron with a Mission]

Personally, I don't like using meter or rhyme because I feel it is a giant restraint on me and my creativity.

For things that are supposed to have rhythm and meter, then yes, they should have it, such as a sonnet.

I usually don't write those, so I don't worry about the rules.  

[Ekirin]

I believe that it is more complicated to write a poem that has both a set rhyme scheme and a meter. Particular sonnet types pop into my head as was mentioned by Dameon_Patron_of_Healing.

I like to read poems with a meter because they flow more. The rhyme doesn't matter to much. I'm a huge fan of Emily D. and she used slanted rhyme, which gave her poems a bit of edgyness at times. So if used a certain way I think that rhyme can really add to the quality and the message of the poem. However, I don't feel the need that it has to have it.  

[terramaster]

Completely unnecessary. Sometimes it does help, but as long as it flows and is not reaking of angst I'll probably enjoy it.  

[Malak al-Maut]

I dunno about you folks, but for some reason I can't do poetry anymore without at least some rhyme and meter. When I don't, it turns out to be utter crap.  

[xXgoth_girl12Xx]

Free form poetry.
It doesn't need to have a structure, and it can still be poetry. If I remember my english lessons correctly.  

[Emilem]

{Fact}

Or

{Opinion}?

"...and who are we to be but kings...

Poetry is just..
I mean, it's nice to have rhyme and structure, but I could do without it.
It's a simple as "Not all poems are good, but all poems ARE different."
I can't recall who said that qoute.
I might have just made it up.
;D

..in this noble game of chess..?..."

 

[Kali Eyad]

I don't really care about rhyme. Sure, it sounds neat but it's hardly necessary. I prefer some kind of meter, but I can get by without it. What a poem absolutely must have is a good flow. I read poems (especially in some circles online) that I just can't get through because there's no flow from one line to the next.  

[MyOwnBestCritic]

@Emilem: I think I may have heard that somewhere too, so either you made it up and said it twice or you heard it and repeated it. Either way, spectacular quote.

Different people like different things. Hence, the discussion. 3nodding  

[Honeydukes Lover]

Well, actually there's no rules. The only poems that you have to write a certain way are Haikus. Poems don't need a beat or rhyming pattern.