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Following on from my AuthorHouse Poetry Writing Master Class articles, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the phrase “poetic license.” You may know the phrase better as “artistic license”, “dramatic license” or, if you are rather more sophisticated, “licentia poetica.” However you are familiar with term, the meaning remains the same. Let’s take a look at a few definitions. From the Encyclopedia Britannica
The right assumed by poets to alter or invert standard syntax or depart from common diction or pronunciation to comply with the metrical or tonal requirements of their writing. It is also sometimes used in a humorous or pejorative sense to provide an excuse for careless or superficial writing. From the Free Online Dictionary
The liberty taken by an artist or a writer in deviating from conventional form or fact to achieve a desired effect. From Wikipedia
A colloquial term, sometimes euphemism, used to denote the distortion of fact, alteration of the conventions of grammar or language, or rewording of pre-existing text made by an artist to improve a piece of art. As you can see, there are many ways to interpret poetic license. Basically you are straying from the norm to make your work do just that, work. Sometimes poets and artists will bluff there way out of a tricky part of a song or paragraph by using another word or even make up a word to complete a rhyme or depict an image. This can be construed as either using poetic license or just plain laziness. You, as the reader or listener are free to decide which. Here is a classic example of a poet forcing a rhyming couplet. In this case the author preferred to remain anonymous, and you will probably agree this to be a good idea. My father once had a dog,
Who fell while sitting on a log. Now let’s take a look at a poem rather more famous for its artistic brilliance and stunning use of Poetic license. Trees
By Alfred Joyce Kilmer I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree. This wonderful poem is also a fine example of a poet using personification to convey the beautiful qualities of a tree. This is also Kilmer using poetic license to full and positive effect. By describing the tree’s “hungry mouth”, “leafy arms,” “her hair” and “bosom” we can visualize Mother Nature in all her glory. Now take a look at some of your favorite poems and see where the poet used their poetic license. Decide whether it has effectively improved the poem, or if the poem would have been better served by the poet expending a little more effort in that area. I hope this AuthorHouse poetry tip has helped prepare you further for your NaPoWriMo challenge. Check the AuthorHouse Writer Advice Center for more great writing Tips.
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AuthorHouse, poetic license, licentia poetica, AuthorHouse Writer Advice Center, NaPoWriMo,
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