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Learning About Free Verse

Some poems have strict rhythm and rhyme, but free-verse poems are more relaxed. They can rhyme but don’t have to, and they have a rhythm, but not a regular one. They use words in special ways and may even take a special shape. Free-verse poems find their own way.

On the last two pages, you read these free-verse poems: “Jumbo Steals Second” and “Mister P.” Now read this one, which is a list poem:

Tip

Kyle’s poem looks a lot like a list. After the first line, the next six each start with a verb. The word “except” breaks this pattern, followed by three short rhyming lines.