Tried a formal poem for an event and it backfired

I've noticed more folks trying to write poems with strict rules, like sonnets or villanelles, for special occasions. I mean, I gave it a shot for my buddy's wedding last month. Idk, maybe it's just me but I thought it would add a classic touch. I spent hours on the rhythm and the ABAB rhyme scheme. But when I read it out, the words felt stiff and the rhymes were too obvious, like 'heart' and 'part'. My friend smiled but later said it sounded like a greeting card. Looking back, I think I focused too much on the structure and not enough on what I really wanted to say. It's a common pitfall, I guess, where the form kills the feeling.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_luna1mo agoMost Upvoted

Structure isn't the enemy, it's what gives your words power and makes them memorable.

karen_perry381mo ago

Referencing the part about formal poetry rules tripping people up, I gotta ask. Do you think the problem is the rules themselves, or is it how we're taught to think about them (like they're a test instead of tools)? Because sometimes I wonder if we learn them in the most boring, scary way possible.

olivia_rivera341mo ago

Making a poem for an event is a nice gesture, but it's not the end of the world if it flops. Formal poetry rules often trip people up, and even good writers find them hard. Your friend likely valued the thought behind it.