Correct Grammar in Poetry: Necessary or Not?

We have all come across it before- the poem in which grammar plays no role. It may drive you absolutely crazy if you are a grammar Nazi, which for all intents and purposes can be defined as the type of person who would risk angering even the most ornery of bosses by correcting an unfortunate grammar faux pas in the middle of the staff meeting, because otherwise it will bug the grammar Nazi for the rest of the day. Or perhaps a poem free from the confining restrictions of grammar is absolute heaven to you. The grammar Nazi will argue that the rules were created to be utilized in all forms of writing, in order to lend structure to the craft, while the free spirited will urge time and time again that poetry is expression free from regulation of form. Either way, the topic is one of immense importance to any creative writer reflecting on how changes in grammar will affect the interpretation of their work, as well as the audience’s opinion of the piece. Join us today as we examine whether improper grammar is ever acceptable in poetry.

Let’s begin by taking a look at a poet who is “well known for giving grammar the proverbial finger”: Mr. E.E Cummings. Many of his poems are written in a peculiar style and with punctuation seemingly thrown to the wind, left to settle at random. Examine the following:

anyone lived in a pretty how town
anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn’t he danced his did.
Women and men (both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain
children guessed (but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more
when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone’s any was all to her
someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream
stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)
one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was
all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
with by spirit and if by yes.
Women and men (both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

The sheer pasting of this poem drove my computers spell check mad as immediately upon its placement red and green squiggles appeared declaring the multitude of spelling and grammar “errors” scattered throughout the piece. Mr. Cummings abandoned the capital letter altogether in this poem and only uses end sentence punctuation marks twice as periods make a guest appearance at the end of the fourth line as well as in the fifth to last line of the poem. Upon first glance the poem seems to be a jumble of words with agreement problems out the wazoo! But read the poem aloud and see how “wrong” it sounds. On the contrary it sounds beautiful as it flows at just the right pace and tempo. Imagine what a negative difference would be affected upon this poem if proper grammar usage had been forced down Cummings’ throat.

Ultimately I believe poetry is one of the areas of language where grammar can be tweaked beyond the rules, IF it serves a purpose. Bad grammar in poetry that is the result of ignorance of the poet with be obvious and will damage the poem. Unconventional grammar, however, that seeks to highlight a particular message or add emphasis to a point is perfectly acceptable in my book. Poetry is the free flow of thoughts, the exchange of ideas and the expression of emotions that often seem impossible to describe. A poet must be given poetic license to use whatever means necessary to convey their message. Being a stickler to the rules will only hinder their creative juices.

This is the grammar guru over and out after another solved grammar stumper! See you on the flip side folks.