Why are So Many Poets Interested in Free Verse Poetry?

Infinity versus the symbol of infinity

In a world of change, where it appears that nothing is free, there is still free verse poetry.

"Why is that so?" 

"Why are so many poets interested in free verse poetry?"

If you ask a poet those questions, that poet may suggest a number of reasons why poets choose free verse poetry, as opposed to structured verse poetry.

These may include the following:

Free verse poetry has no obvious structural constraints with respect to meter, rhyme and rhythm.

Free verse poetry allows fuller freedom of expression for the poet.

Rhyming words can be time dated and quickly become obsolete.

Free verse poetry is fun to write, as it allows more poetic creativity.

Conceptual expression expands indefinitely, in free verse poetry.

Poetic horizons are limitless in free verse poetry.

One might also ask whether infinity can be constrained in a symbol used to depict infinity. 

The answer to that question would have to be, "No, of course infinity cannot be contained by putting it into the symbol of infinity."

Free verse poetry has an element of infinity to it, as opposed to structured verse poetry, which is more like the sign for infinity, rather than infinity itself, which never has any kind of constraints. In other words, if structured verse poetry is the symbol for infinity, free verse poetry is the concept of infinity depicted by the symbol. 

Conceptual awareness increases, as the free verse poetry is expanded upon, in poetic form.

Perhaps in some mysterious way, there is some unknown element in free verse poetry that we don't comprehend fully, even though we enjoy it. Maybe the only time that we recognize it, is when it is realized in our own freedom?

Maybe there are times when free verse poetry precedes structured verse poetry and vice versa?

It would appear that a poet does not always know exactly what format poetry his or her poetry will appear in, when he or she is inspired to write. It may come forth unstructured, structured or a combination of the two. The task of the poet is merely to pen the poetry on paper or to put it into some format where it can be retained. Unfortunately, that is not always done and the poetry disappears in the wind.

The writing of free verse poetry is a mysterious, literary phenomenon, in many ways. It comes into being, at the most unexpected times and for some unknown reason.

Some might suggest that being able to write free verse poetry is purely a gift, that has been given to but a few. Others might argue that anyone can write free verse poetry. Perhaps there are both kinds of free verse poetry?

Not every poet can write free verse poetry or structured verse poetry, either.

Many people with literary backgrounds never write any kind of poetry, either free verse poetry or structured verse poetry. If they do write free verse poetry, it may be masked in other writings, as they do not put it into a recognizable structure for poetry. It may be incorporated into their prosaic works instead.

Why are so many poets interested in free verse poetry?

Maybe the bottom line is the reality that human beings are curious about the phenomena of life itself. 

We all seek love, too. Love is found in free verse poetry and in structured verse poetry. It is love that satisfies the quest of the human mind and soul. Maybe that is one of the reasons why we still have free verse poetry. Somehow, it meets a need.

Maybe we will never have a better answer than that.