When writing a poem–whether in free verse or in meter, there’s a technique that is commonly used to keep the lines moving. “Enjambment” in poetry is when a line feeds directly into the next one. As the poem is read, the end of a line flows effortlessly into the beginning of the one following it without pause. Think of it like houses or buildings lined up really close together. The placement makes it seem like there’s no real space in between them, but there is. It’s just small.
Why use enjambment?
Using enjambment in poetry writing has two main benefits. First, it allows for easy flow, which is appealing to the ear. Second, it can help a poet to tell a mini story quickly and with fewer breaks. Below is an example of a stanza in my poem “A Song for Santa.” In this stanza, I am describing what I’m doing, seeing, and hearing on Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ house. This section is in the middle of my poem and reads like stream of consciousness writing. Employing this style makes it seem as though the poet is referring to everything exactly as it happened or like the memory is crystal clear.
Example
I sit alone on the couch
staring at the Christmas tree
and watching relatives walking through the living room
to get outside, to the kitchen, to the bar, to the bathroom.
My aunt walks back and forth
from kitchen to stereo
and plays a Julio Iglesias album
even though it's not a Christmas record
and is in Spanish.
Sometimes she puts on Jose Feliciano singing "Feliz Navidad"--
"Merry Christmas."
Downside of using enjambment
Even though using the enjambment technique is convenient for the poet, there is one big reason not to employ it–in case you were looking for one. Unfortunately, it can sometimes confuse the reader. When we read a poem, we are often looking for each line to end definitively. We are also wired to wait for or to anticipate rhyme. While moving from line to line without breaking or pausing can still employ rhyme, it can be harder to hear it. The enjambment from the second line to the third in this stanza from my metered poem “A Creative So Brave,” might take the reader off guard because line two seems like it finishes a thought.
Example
But I walk to the door
then secure first a seat
which enlivens the soul
of the writer I seek.
Try using enjambment
Because writing lines that press up against each other is essentially like writing a bunch of run-on sentences, it’s a great way to keep the reader’s attention. They can’t look away or take a break every few seconds or they might miss your brilliance! As a beginning poetry writer, using the enjambment method can make the creative process easier for you. You can be freer because you’re not limited by a strict pattern and have to end a thought every two to four lines. It also allows you to say more if you choose. If you’d like to learn about how this works, or want to see it in action, take a look at my beginning poetry writing course in Teachable. The finished product is a free verse poem that uses the enjambment technique. See what you think!
